Freight Forwarder Responsibility Notice

Lianyungang Zhanhang International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. is a company mainly engaged in freight forwarding. So, what are the responsibilities that general freight forwarders need to pay attention to?

1、 Basic Responsibilities

As a carrier, complete the transportation of goods and assume responsibility (by issuing shipping documents, using their own transportation tools, or entrusting others to complete the transportation of goods, and collecting freight).

Lianyungang import freight forwarder

As a carrier, I do not directly assume responsibility for completing the transportation of goods (I do not directly assume responsibility for having someone else issue the shipping documents, using the transportation tools I have, renting someone else's transportation tools, or entrusting someone else to complete the transportation of goods).

According to the agreement or contract with the principal, or when conducting business activities as instructed by the principal, the freight forwarder shall fulfill this commission with the usual responsibility, especially within the scope of authorization.

Report all important matters truthfully. The information and materials provided to the client during the entrusted business process must be truthful. If there is any concealment or false information provided, resulting in losses, the client has the right to pursue and revoke the agency contract or agreement from the freight forwarder.

Obligation to maintain confidentiality. The information obtained during the freight forwarding process shall not be disclosed to third parties. At the same time, the agency rights shall not be transferred to others.

2、 Liability period

From the time of receiving the goods until the goods are handed over to the consignee at the destination, or until the goods are placed at the location indicated by the consignee as instructed, it shall be deemed as completion and fulfillment of the delivery obligation stipulated in the contract.

3、 Responsibility for the contract

International freight forwarders shall be liable for compensation for any loss of goods caused by their failure to execute the contract.

4、 Responsibility for warehousing

When a freight forwarder accepts goods for storage, they should provide the client with a receipt or warehouse certificate upon receipt of the goods, and perform their duties during the storage period by selecting different storage methods based on the characteristics and packaging of the goods.

5、 Rights

The principal shall pay all expenses incurred by the freight forwarder in connection with the transportation, storage, insurance, customs clearance, visa application, document processing, and other services provided for the goods, as well as other expenses arising from the inability to perform the contract due to reasons beyond the control of the freight forwarder. If the loss or damage of the goods falls within the scope of the insurer's coverage, the freight forwarder shall obtain subrogation rights from the owner of the goods after compensation, and obtain compensation or repayment from other responsible parties. After the freight forwarder fully compensates for the goods, the ownership of the relevant goods is transferred to the freight forwarder.

6、 Exclusion of Liability

① Due to the negligence or fault of the principal;

② Due to the negligence of the principal or other agents during loading, unloading, warehousing, or other operations;

③ Due to the natural characteristics or potential defects of the goods;

④ Due to inadequate packaging and unclear labeling of the goods;

⑤ Due to unclear, incomplete, and inaccurate delivery addresses for the goods;

⑥ Due to unclear and incomplete statements regarding the contents of the goods;

⑦ Due to force majeure, natural disasters, and unexpected reasons.

But if it can be proven that the loss or damage of the goods was caused by the fault or negligence of the freight forwarder, the freight forwarder shall be liable for compensation for the loss or damage of the goods.

7、 Compensation liability

Principle of Compensation Liability

The general terms of the International Freight Forwarders Association also stipulate two compensation principles: one is the principle of liability for compensation, and the other is the limitation of liability for compensation.

When the consignee discovers the loss or damage of the goods upon receipt and can prove that the loss or damage was caused by the fault of the freight forwarder, they shall file a claim with the freight forwarder. Generally, the notice of claim shall not exceed a certain number of days after the arrival of the goods. Otherwise, it shall be deemed that the freight forwarder has fulfilled the delivery obligation.

Limitation of Compensation Liability

From the existing international conventions, some adopt a single standard compensation method, while others adopt a double standard compensation method. The compensation method for international freight forwarders should also be the same, but the actual practices vary greatly.

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