TERMS AND CONDITIONS
General Business Terms and Conditions
All freight forwarding/shipping services provided by Global Transport Link, S.A. de C.V. (hereinafter “GTL”)to the “Customer”, whether the Customer is a manufacturer, distributor, exporter, importer, sender, consignor, consignee, transferor, or transferee of the shipment, will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
1. Third Party Services. Unless GTL carries, stores or otherwise physically handles the shipment, and loss, damage, expense or delay occurs during such activity, GTL assumes no liability as a carrier and is not to be held responsible for any loss, damage, expense or delay to the goods to be forwarded or imported except as provided in paragraph 6 and subject to the limitations of paragraph 7 below, but undertakes only to use reasonable care in the selection of carriers, truckmen, lightermen, forwarders, customs brokers, agents, warehousemen and others to whom it may entrust the goods for transportation, cartage, handling and/or delivery and/or storage or otherwise. When GTL carries, stores or otherwise physically handles the shipment, it does so subject to the limitations of paragraph 6 below, unless a separate bill of lading, air waybill, or other contract of carriage is issued by GTL, in which events the terms thereof shall govern.
2. Liability for Acts or Omissions of Third Parties. GTL is authorized to select and engage carriers, truckmen, lightermen, forwarders, customs brokers, agents, warehousemen and others, as required, to transport, store, deal with and deliver the goods, all of whom shall be considered the agents of the Customer, and the goods may be entrusted to such agencies subject to all conditions as to limitations of liability for loss, damage, expense or delay and to all rules, regulations, requirements and conditions, whether printed, written or stamped, appearing in bills of lading, receipts or tariffs issued by such carriers, truckmen, lightermen, forwarders, customs brokers, agents, warehousemen, and others. GTL shall under no circumstances be liable for any loss, damage, expense or delay to the goods for any reason whatsoever when said goods are in the custody, possession or control of third parties selected by GTL to forward, enter, clear, transport or render other services with respect to such goods.
3. Choosing Routes or Agents. Unless express instructions in writing are received from the Customer, GTL has complete freedom in choosing the means, route and procedure to be followed in the handling, transportation and delivery of the goods. Advice by GTL to the Customer that a particular person or firm has been selected to render services with respect to the goods shall not be construed to mean that GTL warrants or represents that such person or firm will render such service. All terms of delivery shall be based upon INCOTERMS 2000 unless otherwise specifically noted or implied through the use of a term not defined in INCOTERMS 2000.
4. Declaring Higher Valuation. Inasmuch as truckers, carriers, warehousemen and others to whom the goods are entrusted usually limit their liability for loss or damage unless a higher value is declared and a charged based on such higher value is agreed to by said trucker, etc., GTL must receive specific written instructions from the Customer to pay such higher charge based on valuation and the truckers, etc., must accept such higher declared value; otherwise the valuation placed by the Customer on the goods shall be considered solely for export or customs purposes and the goods will be delivered to the truckers etc., subject to the limit of liability set forth herein in paragraphs 6-7 below with respect to any claim against GTL and subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 above.
5. Unless specifically agreed in writing, GTL assumes no responsibility to effect insurance on any export or import shipment which it does not handle.
6. Limitation of Liability for Loss, etc. (a) The Customer agrees that GTL shall only be liable for any loss, damage expense or delay to the goods resulting from the negligence or other fault of GTL; such liability shall be limited to an amount equal to the lesser of fifty ($50) dollars per entry or shipment or the fee(s) charged for the services, provided that, in the case of partial loss, such amount will be adjusted pro rata;
(b) Where GTL issues its own bill of lading and receives freight charges as its compensation, Customer has the option of paying a special compensation and increasing the limit of GTL's liability up to the shipment’s actual value; however, such option must be exercised by written agreement, entered into prior to any covered transaction(s), setting forth the limit of GTL's liability and the compensation received;
(c) In instances other than in (b) above, unless the Customer makes specific written arrangements with GTL to pay special compensation and declare a higher value and GTL agrees in writing, liability is limited to the amount set forth in (a) above;
(d) Customer agrees that GTL shall, in no event, be liable for consequential, punitive, statutory or special damages in excess of the monetary limit provided for above.
7. Presenting Claims. GTL shall not be liable under paragraph 6, or otherwise, for any claims not presented to it in writing within three (3) days of either the date of loss or incident giving rise to the claim; no suit to recover for any claim or demand hereunder shall be maintained against GTL unless instituted within six (6) months after the presentation of the said claim or such longer period provided for under statute(s) of the State having jurisdiction of the matter.
8. Advancing Money. GTL shall not be obligated to incur any expense, guarantee any payment or advance any money in connection with the importing, forwarding, transporting, insuring, storing or coopering of the goods, unless the same is previously provided to GTL by the Customer on demand. GTL shall be under no obligation to advance freight charges, customs duties or taxes on any shipment, nor shall any advance by GTL be construed as a waiver of the provisions hereof.
9. Indemnification for Freight & Duties. In the event that a carrier, other person or any governmental agency makes a claim or institutes legal action against GTL for ocean or other freight, duties, fines, penalties, liquidated damages or other money due arising from a shipment of goods of the Customer, the Customer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless GTL for any amount GTL may be required to pay such carrier, other person or governmental agency together with reasonable expenses, including attorney fees, incurred by GTL in connection with defending such claim or legal action and obtaining reimbursement from the Customer. The confiscation or detention of the goods by any governmental authority shall not effect or diminish the liability of the Customer to GTL to pay all charges or other money due promptly on demand.
10. C.O.D. Shipments. Goods received with Customer’s or other person’s instructions to “Collect on Delivery” (C.O.D.) by drafts or otherwise, or collect to collect on any specified terms by time drafts or otherwise, are accepted by GTL only upon the express understanding that it will exercise reasonable care in the selection of a bank, correspondent, carrier or agent to whom it will send such an item for collection, and GTL will not be responsible for any act, omission, default, suspension, insolvency or want of care, negligence, or fault of such bank, correspondent, carrier or agent, nor for any delay in remittance lost in exchange, or loss during transmission, or while in the course of collection.
11. General Lien on Any Property. GTL shall have a general lien on any and all property (and documents relating thereto) to the Customer, in its possession, custody or control or en route, for all claims for charges, expenses or advances incurred by GTL in connection with any shipments of the Customer and if any claim remains unsatisfied for thirty (30) days after demand for its payment is made, GTL may sell at public auction or private sale, upon ten (10) days written notice registered mail (R.R.R.) to the Customer, the goods, wares and/or merchandise, or so much thereof as may be necessary to satisfy such lien, and apply the net proceeds of such sale to the payment of amount due GTL. Any surplus from such sale shall be transmitted to the Customer, and the Customer shall be liable for any deficiency in the sale.
12. Compensation of GTL. The compensation of GTL for its services shall be included with and is in addition to the rates and charges of all carriers and other agencies selected by GTL to transport and deal with the goods and such compensation shall be exclusive of any brokerage, commissions, dividends or other revenue received by GTL from carriers, insurers and others in connection with the shipment. On ocean exports, upon request, GTL shall provide a detailed breakout of the components of all charges assessed and a true copy of each pertinent document relating to these charges. In any referral for collection or action against the Customer for monies due to GTL, the Customer shall pay the expenses of collection and/or litigation, including GTL's reasonable attorneys’ fees.
13. Indemnity Against Liability Arising From the Importation of Merchandise. The Customer agrees to indemnify and hold GTL harmless from any claims and/or liability arising from the importation of merchandise which violates any Federal, state and/or other laws or regulations and further agrees to indemnify and hold GTL harmless against any and all liability, loss, damages, costs, claims and/or expenses, including but not limited to attorney’s fees, which GTL may hereafter incur, suffer or be required to pay by reason of claims by any government agency or private party. In the event that any action, suit or proceeding is brought against GTL by any government agency or private party, GTL shall give notice in writing to the Customer by mail at its address on file with GTL. Upon receipt of such notice, the Customer, at its own expense, shall defend against such action and take all steps as may be necessary or proper to prevent the obtaining of a judgment and/or order against GTL.
17. Loss, Damage or Expense Due To Delay. Unless the service to be performed by GTL on behalf of the Customer are delayed by reason of negligence or other fault of GTL, GTL shall not be responsible for any loss, damage or expense incurred by the Customer because of such delay. In the event GTL is at fault, as aforesaid, its liability is limited in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 6-7 above.
18. Certificates and Surveys reports. GTL shall not be obligated to provide any type of certificates or Surveys reports to the Costumer, unless specifically agreed in writing, prior the shipment of the goods. In which case the Customer must request in writing the specifics needed in the certificate. In the case of Fumigation and / or Heat Treatment Certificates for Dunnage, the Customer will provide the specifics of the Fumigation and or Head Treatment required.
19. Notice of Arrival. It is the full responsibility of the Customer to trace the status of its cargo. GTL and/or its Agents are not obligated to send status reports, nor Notice of Arrivals to the Customer.
20. Demurrages and Storages. The Customer is responsible for the equipment loan to him by GTL to Ship the Cargo. It is the responsibility of the Customer to pay any extra charge due to the Damage of the Container/Shipping Equipment, Demurrages and/or Storages charges.
21. Bill of Lading/Seaway Bill/Airway Bill Terms and Conditions. The Customer expressly accepts and agrees that GTL is operating under the Terms and Conditions of its Bill of Lading or Sea Waybill or Airway Bill (hereinafter “GTL Bill of Lading”)depending on which document will be issued for the shipment. GTL Bill of Lading Terms and Conditions will be provided to you upon your request or may be viewed at any office GTL or its agents or under www.gtlsa.com
Last review on September 13th 2016
gtl bill of lading
1. DEFINITIONS
“Carrier” Means the Company stated on the front of the Bill of Lading as being the Carrier on whose behalf this Bill of Lading has been signed.
“Merchant” Includes: The Shipper, The Consignee, The receiver of the Goods, The Holder of the Bill of Lading, any Person owning or entitle to the possession of the Goods or this Bill of Lading, any Person having a present or future interest in the Goods or any Person acting on behalf of any of the above mention Persons.
“Goods” Includes the cargo supply by the Merchant and includes any Container not supply or on behalf of the Carrier.
“Container” Includes any Container, Trailer, Transportable Tank, Lift Van, Flat, Mafi, Pallet or any similar article of transport used to consolidate Goods.
“Carriage” Means the whole of the operations and services undertaken or performed by or on behalf of the Carrier in respect of the Goods.
“Combine Transport” Arises where the Carriage called for by this Bill of Lading is not a Port to Port Shipment.
“Port to Port Shipment” Arises when the Place of Receipt or the Place of Delivery are not indicated on the front of this Bill of Lading, or if both the Place of Receipt or the Pace of Delivery indicated are Ports, and the Bill of Lading does not, in the nomination of the Place of Receipt or Place of Delivery on the front hereof, specify any place or spot within the area of the Port so nominated.
“Hague Rules” Means the provisions of the international Convention for the Unification of certain Rules relating to Bills of Lading signed at Brussels on August 25th 1994.
“Hague-Visby Rules” Stands for the Hague Rules as amended by the Protocol signed at Brussels on February 23rd 1968
“COGSA” Means the Carriage of Goods by the Sea Act of the United States of America approved on April 16th 1936.
“COGWA” Means the Carriage of Goods by the Water Act of 1936.
“Charges” Includes freight and all expenses and money obligations incurred and payable by the Merchant.
“Shipping Unit” Includes freight units and the term “Unit” as used in The Hague Rules and the Hague-Visby Rules.
“Person” Includes an individual, a partnership, a body corporate or other entity.
“Stuffed” Includes filled, consolidated, packed, loaded or secure.
2. CARRIER’S TARIFF
The provisions of the Carrier’s applicable Tariff, if any, are incorporated herein. Copies of such provisions are obtainable from the Carrier or his Agents upon requestor where applicable, from a government body with whom the Tariff has been filed in the case of inconsistency between this Bill of Lading and the applicable Tariff, this Bill of Lading shall prevail.
3. WARRANTY
The Merchant warrants that in agreeing to the terms hereof, he is, or the agent of, and has the authority of the Person owning or entitle to the possession of the Goods, or any person who has present or future interests on the Goods.
4. NEGOTIABILITY AND TITLE TO THE GOODS
5. CERTAIN RIGHT AND IMMUTITIES FOR THE CARRIER AND OTHER PERSONS.
6. CARRIER’S RESPONSIBILITY.
1) CLAUSE PARAMOUNT.
2) PORT TO PORT SHIPMENT.
The responsibility of the Carrier is limited to that part of the Carriage from and during loading onto the Vessel up to and during discharge from the Vessel and the Carrier shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever in respect of the Goods or any other matter arising during any other part of the Carriage even though Charges for the whole the Carriage have been charge by Carrier. The Merchant constitutes the Carrier as agent to enter into contracts on behalf of the Merchant with others to transport, storage , handling or any other services in respect of the Goods prior to loading and subsequent to discharge of the Goods from the Vessel without responsibility for any act or omission whatsoever on the part of the Carrier or others and the Carrier may as such agent enter into contracts with others on any terms whatsoever including terms less favorable than the terms in this Bill of Lading.
3) COMBINED TRANSPORT.
Save as is otherwise provided in this Bill of Lading, the Carrier shall be liable for loss or damage to the Goods occurring from the time that the Goods are taken into his charge until the time of delivery to the extent set out below.
(A) Where the stage of the Carriage, where the loss or damage occurred cannot be proved:
(B) Where the stage of the Carriage where the loss or damage occurred can be proved
i) The liability of the Carrier shall be determined by the provisions contained in any international convention or national law of the country which provisions:
(ii) With respect to the transportation to the United States of America or in Canada to the Port of Loading or from the Port of Discharge, the responsibility of the Carrier shall be to procure transportation by carriers (one or more) and such transportation shall be subject to the inland carrier’s contract of carriage and tariff and any law compulsorily applicable. The Carrier guarantees the fulfillment of such inland carrier’s obligations under their contracts and tariff.
(iii) Where neither (i) nor (ii) above apply, any liability of the Carrier shall be determine by 6(3)(A).
(4) GENERAL PROVITIONS.
A) Delay, Consequential Loss.
Save as otherwise provided herein, the Carrier shall in no circumstances be liable for direct, indirect or consequential damage caused by delay or any other cause whatsoever and howsoever caused without prejudice to the forgoing, if the Carrier is found liable for delay, liability shall be limited to a third of the freight applicable to the relevant stage of the transport.
B) Packager or Shipping Unit Limitations.
Where the Hague Rules or any legislation making such Rules compulsorily applicable (such COGSA or COGWA) to this Bill of Lading apply, the Carrier shall not, unless a declared value has been noted in accordance with (C) bellow, be or become liable for any loss or damage to or in connection with the Goods in an amount per package or Shipping Unit in excess of the package or Shipping limitation as laid down by such rules or legislation. Such limitation amount according to COGSA is $500.00USD and according to COGWA is $500.00CAND. If no limitation amount is applicable under such rules or legislation, the limit shall be $500.00USD.
C) Ad Valorem: Declared Value of Package or Shipping Unit.
The Carrier’s liability may be increased to a higher value by a declaration in writing (Ad Valorem notification form) of the value of the Goods by the Shipper upon delivery to the Carrier of the Goods for shipment, such higher value being inserted on the front of this Bill of Lading in the space provided and if required by Carrier, extra freight paid. In such case, if the actual value of the Goods shall exceed such declared value, the value shall nevertheless be deemed to the declared value and the Carrier’s liability, if any, shall not exceed the declared value and pay partial loss or damage shall be adjusted pro rata on the basis of such declared value.
D) Definition of Package or Shipping Unit.
Where a Container is used to consolidate Goods and such Container is Stuffed by the Carrier, the number of packages or Shipping Units stated on the face of this Bill of Lading in the box provided shall be deemed the number of packages or Shipping Units for the purpose of any limit of liability per package or Shipping Unit provided in any international convention or national law relating to the carriage of Goods by sea, air or land. Except as aforesaid the Container shall be considered the package or Shipping Units.
The words “Shipping Unit” shall mean each physical unit or piece of cargo not shipped in a package, including articles or things of any description whatsoever, except Goods shipped in bulk, and irrespective of the weight or measure unit employed in calculating freight Charges. As Goods shipped in Bulk, the limitation applicable thereto shall be the limitation provided in such convention or law which may be applicable, and in no event shall anything be constructed to be a waiver of limitation as to the Goods shipped in bulk.
(E) Rust, etc.
It is agreed that superficial rust, oxidation or any alike due to moisture, is not a condition of damage but it is inherent to the nature of the Goods and acknowledgment of receipt of Goods in apparent good order and condition is not a representation of that such conditions of rust, oxidation or the alike did not exist on the receipt.
(F) Notice of Loss and Damage.
The Carrier shall be deemed prima facie to have delivered the Goods as described in this Bill of Lading unless notice of loss or damage to the Goods, indicating the general nature of such loss or damage, shall have been given in writing to the Carrier or his representative at the place of delivery before or at the time of removal of the Goods into the custody of the Person entitle to delivery thereof this Bill of Lading or , if the loss or damage is not apparent, within three consecutive days thereafter.
(G) Time-bar
The Carrier shall be discharge of al liability unless suit is brought in the proper forum and written notice thereof received by the Carrier within six months after delivery of the Goods or the date when the Goods should have been delivered. In the event that such time period shall be found contrary to any convention or law compulsorily applicable, the period prescribed by such convention or law shall then apply but in that circumstance only.
7. MERCHANT’S RESPONSIBILITY.
8. CONTAINERS.
(A) The Carrier shall not be liable for loss or damage to the Goods
(B) The Merchant shall defend, indemnity and hold harmless the Carrier against any loss, damage, claim, liability or expense
whatsoever arising from one or more of the matter covered by (A) above except (A)(iii)(a) above.
4) Where the Carrier is instructed to provide a Container, in the absence of a written request to the contrary, the Carrier is not under an
obligation to provide a Container to any particular type or quality.
9. TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED CARGO.
If the above requirements are not complied with, the Carrier shall not be liable for any loss of or damage to the Goods caused by such noncompliance.
2) The Carrier shall not be liable for any loss of or damage to the Goods arising from defects, derangement, breakdown, stoppage of the
temperature controlling machinery plant, insulation or any apparatus of the Container provided that the Carrier shall before or at the beginning of the Carriage exercise due diligence to maintain the refrigerated Container in an efficient state.
10. INSPECTION OF THE GOODS.
The Carrier or any Person authorized by the Carrier shall be entitle, but under no obligation, to open any Container or package at any time and to inspect the Goods.
11. MATTERS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE.
2) The liability of the Carrier in respect of the Goods shall cease on the delivery or other disposition of the Goods in accordance in accordance with the orders or recommendations given by any government authority or any Person acting or purporting to act as or on behalf of such government or authority.
12. METHODS AND ROUTES OF TRANSPORTATION.
13. DECK CARGO (AND LIVESTOCK).
14. DELIVERY OF GOODS.
If delivery of the Goods or any part thereof is not taken by the Merchant at the time and the place when and where the Carrier is entitled to call upon the Merchant to take delivery thereof, the Carrier shall be entitle without notice to remove from a Container the Goods or that part thereof if stuffed in or on a Container and to store the Goods or that part thereof ashore, afloat, in the open or undercover at the sole risk and expense of the Merchant. Such storage shall constitute due delivery hereunder and thereupon the liability of the Carrier in respect of the Goods or that part thereof shall cease.
15. BOTH-TO-BLAME COLLISION.
If the vessel on which the Goods are carried (the carrying vessel) come in collision with any other vessel or object (the non-carrying vessel or object) as the result of the negligence of the non-carrying vessel or object or the owner of the charter of or Person responsible for the non-carrying vessel or object. The Merchant undertakes to defend indemnity and hold harmless the Carrier against all claims by or liability to (and any expense arising thereof from) any vessel or Person in respect of any loss of or damage to or any claim whatsoever of the Merchant paid or payable to the Merchant by the non-carrying vessel or object or the owner of the charter or of Person responsible for the no-carrying vessel or object and set-of recouped or recovered by such vessel, object or Person(s) against the Carrier, the carrying vessel or here owners or charterers.
16. GENERA AVERAGE.
17. CHARGES.
18. LIEN.
The Carrier shall have a Lien on Goods and any documents relating thereto for all sums whatsoever due at any time to the Carrier for the Merchant and for General Average contributions to whomsoever due and for the costs of recovering the same and the Carrier have the right to sell the Goods and documents by public auctioning or private treaty, without notice to the Merchant and at the Merchant’s expenses and without any liability towards the Merchant.
19. VARIATION OF THE CONTRACT.
No servant or agent of the Carrier shall have powers to wave or vary any of the terms hereof unless such o waiver or variation is in writing and is specifically authorized or ratified in writing by a director or officer of the Carrier who has the actual authority of the Carrier so that wave or vary.
20. PARTIAL INVALIDITY.
If any provision in this Bill of Lading is held to be invalid or unenforceable by any court or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency or body. Such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision. The invalidity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby and this Bill of Lading contract shall be carried out if such invalid or unenforceable provision where not contained herein.
Last review on September 13th 2016
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