Cargo Security in 2026 and New Threats
Cargo theft is nothing new. What is new are the methods being used. In cooperation with an insurance expert from EKONSERVIS CZ, we held an internal training session focused on current risks in cargo security. The topics that came up go beyond any single company — which is why we decided to share them openly.
Phantom carriers are a growing threat
One of the most significant threats of recent months is the so-called phantom carrier. This is not a classic cargo theft — it is a sophisticated fraud in which you communicate throughout with someone who is merely posing as a carrier. The shipment is loaded, the truck drives away, and the entire cargo disappears.
There are several scenarios. Someone purchases an existing transport company with a history and references. In other cases, a fraudster offers transport under a name that differs from a legitimate company by just one character. One extra letter, a dot instead of a dash, an added number.
The number of such cases is growing. Specialised platforms record dozens of new fraudulent addresses every day.
The most effective defence is thorough verification.
Monitor email addresses and verify your carriers
When ordering transport of cosmetics, electronics, alcohol or other high-value goods from a carrier you don't know well, verify their identity by phone directly with the company. Email communication is not enough. In the volume of daily correspondence, it is easy to miss that a sender's address is not quite the same as the one you know.
Sensitive cargo and our recommendations
If you are shipping high-value goods, we recommend paying close attention to both the choice of carrier and the method of transport.
Standard carrier liability under CMR is limited to approximately EUR 10 per kilogram of shipment — regardless of the actual value of the goods. For high-value cargo, we strongly recommend considering additional insurance. The gap between standard liability and the actual value of a shipment can be significant in the event of a loss.
Cargo security is a topic EGT Express takes seriously — which is why we continually educate ourselves and monitor current developments.
Interested in protecting your shipment beyond standard carrier liability?
