Terms & Conditions

Trading conditions

All business undertaken by ShipCars UK, a trading name of NLX Logistics Ltd (company number 17331791), is transacted subject to the current edition of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) Standard Trading Conditions, which are incorporated into every contract between us. Those conditions limit and in some cases exclude our liability, and they contain time limits for making a claim. A copy is available on request and we recommend that you read them before instructing us.

These website terms supplement the BIFA conditions. Where there is a conflict between the two in relation to the carriage or handling of goods, the BIFA conditions prevail. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud, or for any liability which cannot lawfully be excluded.

Quotations and bookings

A quotation is an invitation to treat and not an offer capable of acceptance. Quotations are valid for the period stated on their face and, where no period is stated, for fourteen days. All rates are based on the information supplied to us at the time of quoting, including weights, dimensions, cargo description, addresses and required service level.

Where the actual consignment differs from the details supplied — for example where the measured or weighed figures exceed those declared, where a vehicle is a non-runner when described as running, or where access at collection or delivery requires specialist equipment — we reserve the right to re-rate the shipment and invoice the difference. Rates are also subject to change where a carrier introduces or varies a surcharge, including fuel, security, currency, congestion, peak season and emergency risk surcharges.

A booking is confirmed only when we issue a written booking confirmation. Space on a named vessel or flight is never guaranteed until the carrier has accepted the cargo, and sailing and flight schedules are estimates published by third parties which we cannot control.

Your obligations as customer

You warrant that you are either the owner of the goods or the authorised agent of the owner, and that you accept these terms on behalf of every person having an interest in the goods. You warrant that the description and particulars of the goods are complete and accurate, that the goods are lawful to export from the United Kingdom and lawful to import into the destination country, and that they are fit to withstand the ordinary rigours of the transport booked.

You must declare any dangerous, hazardous or restricted goods before booking. Undeclared dangerous goods place the vessel, aircraft, crew and other cargo at risk, may constitute a criminal offence, and will render you liable for all resulting fines, delays, cleaning costs and damage. Lithium batteries, aerosols, fuels, paints, gas cylinders and pressurised equipment are all restricted.

For vehicle shipments you must supply the V5C or equivalent title document, photographic identification, and where relevant a letter of no interest from any finance provider. Vehicles must be presented clean, empty of personal effects unless container loading has been agreed, with no more than a quarter tank of fuel, and with working brakes, steering and a functioning battery where roll-on roll-off carriage is booked.

Charges, payment and lien

Unless credit terms have been agreed in writing, all charges are payable in cleared funds before the goods are loaded or released. Where credit terms apply, invoices fall due thirty days from the date of invoice. We may charge interest and compensation on late payment under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

Quoted charges cover only the services expressly described. Destination charges, import duty, VAT, quarantine and inspection fees, demurrage, detention, storage and any charge levied by an authority at destination are the responsibility of the customer or consignee. You remain liable for these charges if the consignee fails to pay them.

We have a general and particular lien over all goods and documents in our possession for all sums due from you, and after fourteen days’ written notice we may sell uncollected or abandoned goods and apply the proceeds against the debt, accounting to you for any surplus.

Insurance, liability and claims

We are freight forwarders, not insurers. Carrier liability is limited by the applicable international convention and is calculated by weight or package rather than by value; it will rarely approach the true value of a vehicle or a household consignment. Marine cargo insurance is available on request at approximately 1.5% of the declared CIF value and is only arranged where you instruct us in writing before departure and pay the premium.

Claims must be notified to us in writing as soon as the loss or damage is discovered and in any event within the time limits set out in the BIFA conditions and the relevant convention. Damage must be noted on the delivery receipt at the time of delivery; a clean receipt makes a claim substantially harder to pursue. We are not liable for indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of market or loss of use, in any circumstances.

We are not liable for delay unless we have given a written guarantee of a specific delivery date, nor for events beyond our reasonable control including weather, port and airport congestion, industrial action, vessel or flight omission, customs inspection, war, sanctions, civil unrest, epidemic and government action.

Cancellation, customs and general

Cancellation before the goods have been collected attracts an administration fee. Once collection has taken place, or once documentation has been lodged with customs or a carrier, all costs incurred to that point become payable, including any dead freight, container hire, storage and return haulage.

Where we act as your customs agent we do so as direct representative in your name and on your behalf unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing. You remain responsible for the accuracy of the information supplied and for any duty, tax, penalty or interest arising from a declaration made on your instructions.

These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction. If any provision is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force. No failure by us to enforce a term operates as a waiver of it.