Shipping Business Practice Test

Inherent vice describes damage that comes from the cargo itself—the intrinsic properties or deterioration tendencies of the goods. It would occur even if the shipment is handled with due care and proper storage. So, damage stems from what the cargo is, not from external events. For example, perishable goods that spoil naturally during transit or materials that deteriorate due to their own chemical nature illustrate inherent vice. External factors like weather, actions by third parties, or improper handling are outside the cargo’s own characteristics and fall into other risk categories, not inherent vice.