Railroad Law in Tbilisi, Georgia

Railroad Law

Who regulates railway transport in Georgia?

State policy is implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, while regulation and supervision are exercised by the Agency, which also carries out technical regulation to ensure safety.

On what conditions does the railway accept cargo?

The railway must accept cargo if the passenger or shipper complies with the Code and the transportation rules, if transportation is possible with existing facilities and the cargo is not prohibited.

When is cargo deemed lost?

If the cargo is not delivered within 30 days after the expiry of the delivery deadline, it is deemed lost; cargo delivered later may be accepted only against return of the compensation.

How is damage compensated?

For loss, in the amount of the value of the cargo; for damage, in the amount of the decrease in value; where declared value exists, according to it. The transportation fee is returned proportionally.

Within what period must a claim be submitted?

For domestic transportation, within the Civil Code periods; for loss of cargo the period runs after 10 days from the expiry of the delivery deadline, and the railway examines the claim within 2 months.

4 min·9 Jan 2026

What Railway Transport Law Regulates

The functioning of railway transport in Georgia is governed by the Constitution, international treaties, the Railway Transport Code and other normative acts. Every relationship connected with the carriage of passengers and cargo must first conform to the Constitution and treaties, then to the Code. Military railway transportation is regulated by separate acts, so civil circulation rules do not apply. These principles are in Article 3 of the Code.

Who Manages Railway Transport and Exercises Supervision

Management of railway transport follows the procedure established by legislation. The annual budget, plans and the distribution of net profit after taxes are approved by the assembly of railway partners. State policy is implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, while regulation and supervision belong to the Agency. To ensure safety, the Agency carries out technical regulation, recognizes medical institutions issuing health certificates for engine drivers, and may request any document or information.

Rights and Obligations of the Parties in Carriage

The railway must carry passengers and transport luggage, luggage-cargo and cargo under a public service contract, provided that the passenger or shipper complies with the Code and transportation rules, that carriage is possible with existing facilities, that unavoidable circumstances do not interfere, and that the cargo is not prohibited. Before transportation begins, the customer may request information about transport facilities and operating conditions. The parties may also contract on additional services. Service information is published in Georgian and, where needed, in another language.

For non-fulfillment of obligations the parties bear liability determined by the Code, other acts and the contract. They are liable only for violations committed by them or caused by their fault. Together with the damage, the infringing party must also pay the fee for carriage and other services. Any contract between the shipper, the consignee, the passenger and the railway that limits or exempts them from statutory liability is void, so a contractual limitation of liability has no legal force.