Railway Code of Georgia (No. 1911-RS of 2002)

This Code determines economic, legal, organisational and technological bases for the functioning of rail transport, its place and role in the economy and social sector of Georgia; the Code also regulates legal relations arising during the use of railway services and determines the rights, obligations and responsibilities of participants of these relationships. This Code shall apply to the carriage of passengers, cargo, luggage, cargo-luggage and mail on public railroads. The State shall promote the development of rail transport and the creation of favourable conditions for the functioning of this transport sector in view of its strategic and social roles. Among others, it provides that the quality, tare and packaging of perishable goods submitted for carriage shall comply with the Rules on the Carriage of Cargo by Rail and shall ensure its safety for the period of carriage specified by the consignor in the certificate of quality. A wagon (container) shall be cleaned, washed and disinfected after unloading of animals, poultry, raw products of animal origin and perishable goods by the Railway at the expense of the consignee, according to the Rules on the Carriage of Cargo by Rail. After unloading the cargo with peculiar odour and perishable goods defined in the Rules on the Carriage of Cargo by Rail, the wagon (container) shall be washed by the consignee. If the consignee is unable to wash the wagon (container), the Railway shall wash it on a contractual basis.
This Code determines economic, legal, organisational and technological bases for the functioning of rail transport, its place and role in the economy and social sector of Georgia; the Code also regulates legal relations arising during the use of railway services and determines the rights, obligations and responsibilities of participants of these relationships. This Code shall apply to the carriage of passengers, cargo, luggage, cargo-luggage and mail on public railroads. The State shall promote the development of rail transport and the creation of favourable conditions for the functioning of this transport sector in view of its strategic and social roles. Among others, it provides that the quality, tare and packaging of perishable goods submitted for carriage shall comply with the Rules on the Carriage of Cargo by Rail and shall ensure its safety for the period of carriage specified by the consignor in the certificate of quality. A wagon (container) shall be cleaned, washed and disinfected after unloading of animals, poultry, raw products of animal origin and perishable goods by the Railway at the expense of the consignee, according to the Rules on the Carriage of Cargo by Rail. After unloading the cargo with peculiar odour and perishable goods defined in the Rules on the Carriage of Cargo by Rail, the wagon (container) shall be washed by the consignee. If the consignee is unable to wash the wagon (container), the Railway shall wash it on a contractual basis.
If consignors (consignees) and forwarders have paid the value of the cargo, they shall be obliged to compensate damage caused by emergency situations, environmental pollution and delay in the movement of the train due to their fault and the expenses connected with the elimination of the consequences of the accident. A place of delivery that is subject to customs control may only be changed with the consent of the relevant tax authority. If the carriage of such cargo poses a threat to human life and health, environment, and the movement and fire safety of the train, the place of delivery may be changed without the consent of the tax authority, of which the tax authority shall be notified by the Railway. Rail transport operators (undertakings, etc.) shall ensure the safety of the carriage of passengers and cargo, traffic and fire safety of trains and other rail vehicles (including the safety of performing shunting operations), as well as the protection of labour and the environment.