LCL General Terms and Conditions
LCL GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS
Export LCL Shipping Services
This document sets out the standard commercial and operational terms applicable to export LCL shipments handled by SILK, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
1. Scope of Service
The quoted service covers export LCL freight forwarding from the agreed origin point to the agreed destination port or CFS, subject to space availability, carrier acceptance, customs requirements, and operational feasibility. Services may include cargo receiving at warehouse/CFS, export customs coordination, LCL consolidation, documentation handling, ocean freight arrangement, destination CFS handling coordination, delivery order/arrival notice support, and final delivery only when specifically quoted.
2. Quotation Validity
All rates are valid only for the period stated in the quotation. If no validity is mentioned, rates shall be considered valid for 7 calendar days only and remain subject to carrier confirmation, vessel availability, currency fluctuation, bunker adjustment, peak season surcharge, and changes in local or destination charges.
3. Rate Basis
LCL freight charges shall be calculated based on W/M, meaning weight or measurement, whichever is higher. Unless otherwise agreed, 1 CBM = 1,000 KG. Minimum chargeable volume shall apply as per the quotation or applicable carrier/CFS tariff.
4. Cargo Acceptance
Cargo acceptance is subject to proper packing suitable for export and ocean movement, accurate cargo description, availability of required documents, carrier and destination acceptance, compliance with customs, port and regulatory requirements, and confirmation that cargo is non-dangerous unless DG acceptance is specifically confirmed in writing. SILK reserves the right to reject cargo that is improperly packed, misdeclared, restricted, prohibited, damaged, leaking, unsafe or unsuitable for LCL consolidation.
5. Cargo Packing and Marking
The shipper is fully responsible for ensuring that cargo is properly packed, protected, labelled and marked for international transport. All packages must clearly show shipper name, consignee name, destination, package number, gross weight and handling marks where applicable. SILK shall not be liable for damage caused by poor packing, weak pallets, insufficient wrapping, unsuitable cartons, missing marks or cargo not fit for sea transport.
6. Documentation Requirements
The shipper must provide complete and accurate documents before cargo cut-off, including but not limited to commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin where required, HS code, export declaration details, consignee and notify party details, product certificates, permits or approvals where applicable, MSDS for chemical or DG-related cargo, and any documents required by origin, transit or destination authorities. Any delay, penalty, storage, customs issue, rejection or additional cost caused by incorrect or incomplete documents shall be for the shipper’s account.
7. Customs Compliance
The shipper is responsible for the accuracy of cargo description, HS code, invoice value, country of origin and all customs declarations. SILK may assist in customs coordination but shall not be responsible for penalties, delays, inspections, fines, confiscation or rejection caused by incorrect declaration, missing permits, restricted goods, undervaluation, wrong HS code or regulatory non-compliance.
8. Dangerous Goods and Restricted Cargo
Dangerous goods, chemicals, batteries, liquids, foodstuff, cosmetics, medicines, military items, dual-use goods, temperature-sensitive cargo, high-value cargo and restricted commodities must be declared in advance. Acceptance is subject to prior written approval, MSDS review, carrier acceptance, regulatory approval and special handling conditions. Failure to declare restricted or dangerous cargo shall make the shipper fully liable for all losses, damages, fines, penalties, disposal costs, claims and third-party liabilities.
9. Cargo Cut-Off
Cargo and documents must be delivered before the advised cut-off date and time. Failure to meet cut-off may result in roll-over to the next available sailing, additional storage, amendment charges, cancellation charges or revised freight rates.
10. Transit Time
All transit times are estimated and not guaranteed. Transit time may be affected by carrier schedule changes, port congestion, customs inspection, transshipment delays, weather, force majeure, vessel omission, roll-over or operational restrictions. SILK shall not be liable for delay unless a written guaranteed service has been specifically agreed.
11. Insurance
Cargo insurance is not included unless specifically requested and confirmed in writing. The shipper is strongly advised to arrange marine cargo insurance covering all risks from origin to final destination. In the absence of insurance, cargo moves at the shipper’s own risk, subject to the applicable limits of liability under the freight forwarder, carrier, warehouse, CFS and international transport terms.
12. Liability
SILK acts as an agent unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing. Liability shall be limited in accordance with the applicable bill of lading terms, carrier conditions, warehouse terms, CFS terms, international conventions and local laws. SILK shall not be liable for indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, market loss, delay-related claims, customs penalties, cargo deterioration due to inherent nature, poor packing, misdeclaration, force majeure, carrier or port operational delays, or acts/omissions of third parties beyond its direct control.
13. Destination Charges
Destination charges are not included unless clearly stated in the quotation. The consignee or shipper shall be responsible for destination CFS charges, delivery order fees, terminal handling charges, port charges, customs clearance charges, duties and taxes, storage and demurrage, documentation fees, inspection charges and final delivery charges.
14. Duties and Taxes
All customs duties, VAT, taxes, government fees, inspection charges, permits and destination regulatory charges are for the account of the shipper or consignee unless otherwise agreed in writing.
15. Payment Terms
Payment terms shall be as agreed in the quotation or service agreement. Unless credit terms are approved in writing, all charges must be paid before release of documents, delivery order, cargo release or shipment execution. SILK reserves the right to hold cargo, documents or release instructions until all outstanding amounts are settled.
16. Additional Charges
Any additional charges arising due to circumstances beyond the original quotation shall be charged to the shipper or consignee, including customs inspection, storage, demurrage, detention, roll-over, amendment fees, repacking, re-measurement, cargo shifting, special handling, waiting time, port congestion surcharge, fuel surcharge, war risk surcharge, emergency surcharge and destination local charges.
17. Cargo Measurement and Re-Measurement
Final chargeable volume and weight shall be based on actual measurement taken by the warehouse, CFS, carrier or consolidator. If the actual weight or volume differs from the shipper’s declaration, charges shall be adjusted accordingly.
18. Lien on Cargo
SILK shall have a lien over cargo, documents and related shipment records for all unpaid freight, charges, storage, demurrage, penalties or any outstanding amounts due from the shipper, consignee or cargo owner.
19. Cancellation and Roll-Over
Cancellation after booking confirmation may be subject to cancellation charges, warehouse handling charges, carrier fees, documentation fees or any cost already incurred. Cargo roll-over due to late delivery, missing documents, carrier decision, customs inspection, port congestion or operational issues shall not make SILK liable for delay or loss.
20. Claims
Any claim for loss, shortage or damage must be submitted in writing immediately upon cargo receipt and supported by required documents, including bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, photos of damage, survey report where applicable, delivery receipt with remarks, claim amount calculation and insurance details where applicable. Clean receipt of cargo without remarks may limit or invalidate any claim.
21. Prohibited Cargo
The shipper shall not tender prohibited, illegal, sanctioned, counterfeit, undeclared, misdeclared or restricted goods. The shipper shall be fully responsible for any consequences arising from shipment of such cargo, including fines, penalties, seizure, disposal, delay, storage, legal claims or third-party liabilities.
22. Force Majeure
SILK shall not be liable for failure, delay, additional cost or non-performance caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including war, strikes, port closure, vessel delay, weather conditions, natural disasters, government restrictions, customs actions, pandemic-related restrictions, carrier schedule changes, cyber incidents, civil unrest or force majeure declared by carriers, ports or authorities.
23. Sanctions and Compliance
The shipper confirms that the cargo, shipper, consignee, notify party, end-user and destination are not subject to any applicable sanctions, restrictions, embargoes or trade control prohibitions. SILK reserves the right to reject, suspend or cancel any shipment that may violate sanctions, export control laws or compliance requirements.
24. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, these terms shall be governed by the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Any dispute shall be subject to the competent courts or authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, unless another jurisdiction or arbitration mechanism is agreed in writing.
25. Acceptance of Terms
By confirming the booking, delivering the cargo or instructing SILK to proceed with the shipment, the shipper confirms acceptance of these General Terms & Conditions.
Suggested Closing Statement for Quotation
All services are subject to the above General Terms & Conditions, carrier terms, port regulations, customs requirements and actual cargo acceptance. Rates are subject to final confirmation at the time of booking and may change based on actual weight, volume, commodity, routing and applicable surcharges.
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