Terms of carriage

These terms govern all services performed by RapidCourierGo and its group companies, including freight forwarding, warehousing, customs brokerage and ancillary services. They apply unless displaced by a signed written agreement that expressly overrides them.

By tendering cargo to us, accepting a quotation, or instructing us to arrange a movement, you accept these terms on your own behalf and on behalf of the owner of the goods. Any conflicting terms on your purchase order or trading conditions do not apply unless we have accepted them in writing.

We act as a freight forwarder arranging carriage, not as the carrier, unless a document we issue states otherwise. Where we arrange carriage with a third party, that carriage is subject to the carrier's own conditions and the international convention applicable to the mode.

Where we perform a service ourselves — for example collection on our own vehicle, or storage in our own facility — we do so as principal and these terms apply to that performance directly.

Quotations are valid for thirty days unless stated otherwise and are based on the information you supply. They assume the cargo is as described and that access at both ends is suitable for the vehicle or equipment quoted.

Charges may be revised where any of the following differ from the booking:

• Actual gross or volumetric weight, or dimensions, exceed those declared.
• The commodity differs from the description given, or requires handling not quoted for.
• Waiting time at collection or delivery exceeds the free period stated on the booking.
• A re-delivery is required because the consignee was unavailable or refused the goods.
• Duty, tax, inspection fees, demurrage, detention or storage are levied by a third party.

Third-party charges are passed through at cost with the supporting evidence attached. Where a currency other than the invoice currency is involved, conversion is at the rate applying on the date the cost was incurred.

You warrant that you are entitled to tender the goods, that the description, weight, dimensions and value declared are accurate and complete, and that the goods are packed to withstand the ordinary incidents of the carriage booked.

You must declare dangerous goods before booking, with the UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group and a current safety data sheet. Undeclared dangerous goods are a serious safety matter: you are liable for all loss, damage, fines and delay arising, and we may dispose of the goods at your cost where required by law.

You must supply accurate customs documentation in good time. We are entitled to rely on the information you give us and are not liable for penalties or delay arising from information that turns out to be incorrect or incomplete.

We do not accept the following without prior written agreement, and in some cases not at all:

• Currency, bullion, negotiable instruments, precious stones and jewellery.
• Live animals, human remains and body parts.
• Firearms, ammunition, explosives and their component parts.
• Narcotics and controlled substances outside a licensed pharmaceutical supply chain.
• Counterfeit goods, and any goods whose import or export is prohibited or sanctioned.

All shipments are screened against applicable sanctions and denied-party lists. We will refuse or stop a movement where screening requires it, and are not liable for loss arising from a lawful refusal.

Our liability is limited by the international convention applicable to the mode of carriage in question — the Montreal Convention for air, the Hague-Visby Rules for sea, CMR for international road and CIM for rail — or, where no convention applies, to the limits set out in the freight forwarding conditions we trade under.

These limits are typically expressed per kilogram of the affected goods and are substantially lower than the commercial value of most consignments. This is the standard basis on which the industry operates and is reflected in the freight rate.

We are not liable for indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of production, loss of contract or loss of market, however caused.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, or for any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Because convention limits fall well short of commercial value, we strongly recommend all-risk cargo insurance at declared value on every consignment. Cover is not automatic and is only in place where you have requested it and we have confirmed it in writing.

Where cover is arranged through us, the policy terms, exclusions and excess apply. We handle claims in-house rather than passing you to a third-party underwriter.

Notice of loss or damage must be given as follows, and failure to give notice in time may extinguish the claim under the applicable convention:

• Visible damage or shortage: noted on the delivery receipt at the time of delivery, before signing.
• Concealed damage: in writing within seven days of delivery.
• Delay: in writing within twenty-one days of the date the goods were placed at the consignee's disposal.
• Total loss: in writing within one hundred and twenty days of the date of tender.

Retain the packaging and the goods in the condition received until the claim is resolved or a surveyor has attended. Legal proceedings must be commenced within nine months of delivery, or of the date delivery should have taken place, unless the applicable convention provides a longer period.

Invoices are payable in the currency stated, without deduction, set-off or counterclaim. Account customers are on the terms recorded on their account; all other shipments are payable before release of the goods.

We have a general and particular lien over all goods and documents in our possession for sums owed to us, whether relating to that consignment or any other. Where sums remain unpaid after notice, we may sell the goods and apply the proceeds against the debt.

Overdue amounts carry interest at the statutory rate applicable to commercial transactions, together with reasonable recovery costs.

We are not liable for failure or delay caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including war, civil unrest, terrorism, sanctions, port and airport closure, industrial action, extreme weather, epidemic, cyber attack on a third-party system, or an act or omission of a public authority.

Where a force majeure event prevents performance, we will tell you promptly, keep the cargo safe so far as reasonably possible, and discuss alternative routings. Costs reasonably incurred in protecting the cargo during such an event are for your account.

These terms are governed by the law of the Netherlands. The courts of Rotterdam have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute, save that we may bring proceedings in any court having jurisdiction over you or your assets to recover sums due.

If any provision is held unenforceable, the remainder continues in force and the unenforceable provision is read down to the minimum extent necessary.

This is a template document provided as part of a demonstration website. It is not legal advice and must be reviewed by qualified counsel before being used commercially.