GENERAL CONDITIONS

ELITE PALOUME FORWARDERS

BELGIUM

All our transactions are subject to the general Conditions of the Belgian Forwarders Association 2005.  Enclosed you will find the text on these conditions.

Your full attention is drawn to art. 14 stating that your cargo is not insured by Paloumé nv against all risks relating to forwarding, transport and storage, unless from your side, clear and explicit written instructions to do so, are given.

If the order to insure has not been given to Paloumé nv you will obtain that in the insurance conditions will be stipulated that no right or recourse will be exercised by the insurers against Paloumé nv.

Conditions of payment: 

1. All our invoices are payable in cash. In case of delayed payment, an interest on overdue payments equal to the legal interest increased with 2% will be due, ipso jure and without previous notification, as from the 15^th day after the invoice date.
2. Moreover, a fixed compensation of 10% of the invoice amount, with a minimum of 100,-€, will also be due ipso jure and without previous notification, as indemnification.
3. In case of dispute, only the Antwerp courts will be competent.

Our intervention:

 

Our intervention is only valid if the work can be done within normal circumstances, according to the customs and usages of the Port of Antwerp, for undamaged and healthy cargo, from Monday till Friday during the dayshift.

Our tariffs are based on the applied wages of the current year.  In case of changes of the wages, social charges, conditions of labour and all other charges, our tariffs shall be adjusted accordingly.

Regulations and rates for storage:

 

We apply the rules and tariffs for storage costs, issued by the Chamber of Commerce of Antwerp and the Shipping Association of Antwerp.  Please find hereafter some extracts of these rules.  For cargo received via quay, storage costs are to be paid as from 15H45 following the day of discharge, in which each part of the cargo had been completely discharged on the quay and this in accordance with the customs of the port and this until the day of reception and removal by the consignee.  This free period of 2 days can be extended with maximum 24 hours if the goods are discharged on a Sunday and/or a legal holiday.

Pool arex insurance:

 

Paloumé nv. has taken up in your favour the Pool Arex insurance, which covers professional errors.

V.A.T. rules

As from the 1st of January 2010 the place of supply of services and the applicable VAT rules are related tothe place where the recipient is running its business (where the business customer is established) and not upon the VAT number given by the customer, based upon the following principles:

• your business is established in Belgium:

Belgian VAT will be added to our services if there are no Belgian VAT exemptions applicable

• your business is not established in Belgium:

we will invoice you in accordance with the EC Guideline 2006/112/EC and existing VAT exemptions applicable in the country where you establish your business; in this case it is essential you inform us for each assigned order if there is a VAT exemption applicable in your country.

 

If the assignment will be given by a branch established in another EC member state than the parent company, you must give us the following extra information on each assignment 

The formal approval that the assignment is performed on behalf of the branch, and that the branch played an active roll in this assignment, together with:

• The exact name of the branch,  Address, EC state, VAT number

  BELGIAN FREIGHT FORWARDERS

STANDARD TRADING CONDITIONS

(Free translation)

 Definition and Scope of the Contract

Article 1

Unless otherwise agreed these Conditions shall be applicable to any form of service provided by the

Freight Forwarder.  

They may be quoted as “Belgian Forwarding Conditions”. They represent a recognized custom of the trade.

Article 2

In these Conditions:

-   Customer: is the Freight Forwarder’s Principal at the instructions of whom and on behalf of whom the Freight

     Forwarder provides services, information or advice, whether gratuitous or for reward.

-     Freight Forwarder: is a CEB member or each Freight Forwarder conducting business under these Conditions.

-     service: is any instruction to forward goods offered, accepted for performance, or performed by the Freight

    Forwarder, and any related act, any information or advice in respect thereof.

-     goods: are all and any goods including their packaging, entrusted to the Freight Forwarder by the Customer. 

    Such goods include all and any merchandise as well as all and any titles or documents that represent or may represent such goods.

-    owner: is the owner of the goods to which the service provided by the Freight Forwarder pertains.

-     third parties: are any non-contracting parties, in particular any natural or legal persons whom the Freight Forwarder

   deals with in the performance of his duties.

Article 3

Where the performance of services is concerned, a distinction is made between the Freight Forwarder who acts:

1)        as a forwarding agent under Belgian law (commissionnaire –- expéditeur): his duties consist of, inter alia, forwarding  goods either in his own name or in his Principal’s name, but always on the latter’s behalf, and pursuant thereto in  providing all and any such services as may be necessary in respect thereof, performing all and any required formalities and concluding any such agreements as are necessary for such purpose

2)        as a principal under Belgian law (commissionnaire de transport): in the following cases only, and in no other cases,  the Freight Forwarder shall be regarded as a principal:

a)    when he performs the carriage of goods in his own name and by his own means of transport,

b)    when he issues a transport document in his own name,

c)     when the instructions explicitly show that the Freight Forwarder assumes such obligation.

Article 4

These Conditions do not imply any waiver of any right by the Freight Forwarder and they cannot give rise to a more

 extensive liability than that to which he would be subject pursuant to any legislation or regulation applicable in addition tothese Conditions.

Article 5

The Customer warrants that the goods entrusted by him to the Freight Forwarder under his instructions are his property

 or that as an authorized agent of the owner he has the right of control of such goods, and that consequently he accepts

these Conditions not only for himself but also for and on behalf of his Principal and for and on behalf of the owner.

 Formation and Performance of the Contract

Article 6

Unless otherwise agreed, or unless an event constituting force majeure arises beyond the Freight Forwarder's control, an offer made by the Freight Forwarder shall be valid for 8 days.

Such an offer shall be based upon existing rates, remunerations, freight charges, currency rates and estimated dates, which are in force at the time when the offer is communicated to the Customer.

Should one or more of these elements be varied, the prices offered shall be adapted accordingly and retroactively.

The Freight Forwarder shall at all times be entitled to charge to the customer all and any amounts charged to him by third parties as a result of improperly calculated freights, costs and rates.

Article 7

The Customer shall undertake to supply to the Freight Forwarder, in advance and not later than at the time of

confirmation of the order, any useful information including, but not limited to, the nature of the goods, the method of

shipment, the place of taking over and delivery, and the required route and procedure, and in particular any information which the Principal may be presumed to have at his disposal as manufacturer, merchant, owner or consignor of the goods, and which may ensure their preservation, shipment, taking over at the place of departure and delivery at the place of  destination.

Article 8

The Freight Forwarder shall not be presumed to examine the correctness of the particulars or the information given by the Customer or the authenticity or regularity of the documents furnished by the Customer. Such information shall be

accepted in good faith.

Article 9

In the absence of precise instructions to the contrary or special agreements, the Freight Forwarder shall be at liberty in his choice of means to be used to organise and perform the services to the best of his abilities according to normal business practice, including the groupage of goods.

Article 10

The Freight Forwarder shall be entitled to charge any amounts or fees for his expenses and interventions on a fixed basis, i.e. as a lump sum or an inclusive price.

Article 11

In the performance of his duties, the Freight Forwarder may employ third parties, servants and agents who show normal professional qualifications.

Article 12

Unless instructed to the contrary, the Freight Forwarder shall be entitled to keep possession, control or custody of any

goods that for some reason could not be delivered, or to take custody of them, and to store the goods at the Principal's cost and risk or at the expense and risk of the goods themselves.

In accordance with the provisions of the Act of 5 May 1872, the Freight Forwarder may sell the goods and apply the

proceeds in or towards the payment of his claims.

In the case of dangerous, perishable, flammable, explosive goods or goods that may otherwise cause damage to persons, animals or property, subject to prior notification in writing to the Customer and subject to accountability the Freight Forwarder may destroy, remove or sell the goods on the Customer's behalf and at the Customer's risk.

Article 13

The Freight Forwarder shall be entitled to suspend the performance of his duties if the Customer fails to fulfil or

insufficiently fulfils his obligations in any way.

In the event of force majeure, the Contract shall remain in force. The Freight Forwarder’s duties shall, however, be

suspended for the duration of the event constituting force majeure.

In case of specific duties, or activities that are uncommon, particularly time-consuming or that require specific effort,

additional fees may be charged at any time.  All additional costs caused by force majeure shall also be borne by the

Principal.

Article 14

Unless otherwise and previously agreed in writing, the Freight Forwarder shall not be under a duty to guard the goods to be forwarded, nor to have them guarded, nor to have them insured, wherever they are, even out in the open.

 Payment

Article 15

The amounts or fees charged shall be payable in cash at the Freight Forwarder's registered office, within eight days from the date of the invoice.

Any loss resulting from exchange rate fluctuations is for the Customer’s account.  Payments not allocated by the

Customer himself to the payment of a specific debt, may be applied at the Freight Forwarder’s choice to the payment of any amount owed by the Customer.

Article 16

Any protest against the invoicing or any services and amounts charged must have been received by the Freight Forwarder in writing within 14 days from the date of invoice.

Article 17

The Customer waives any right to rely on any circumstance which might entitle him to suspend payment in whole or in

part and waives any right to set-off or counterclaim with regard to all amounts charged to him by the Freight Forwarder.

Article 18

The Freight Forwarder shall not be required to provide security for the payment of freight, duties, levies and taxes or any liabilities whatsoever, should this be required by third parties. Where the Freight Forwarder has provided security, the Customer is under a duty, at the Freight Forwarder's first request in writing, to pay to the Freight Forwarder, by way of security, any amount for which the Freight Forwarder has provided security to third parties.

Article 19

Any debt not paid on its due date shall, without any prior notice, be increased with compensatory interests calculated at

the statutory interest rate and increased by liquidated damages equal to 10 % of the debt, so as to cover any economic and administrative loss, without prejudice to the Freight Forwarder's right to prove the existence of more extensive damage.  

 Customer’s Duties and Liability

Article 20

The Customer shall undertake and accept liability for the following:

•           that his instructions and his description of the goods are complete, correct and accurate;
•           that the goods to be entrusted by him to the Freight Forwarder shall be made available in time, completely and in a  useful way, that they are loaded, stowed, packed and marked in accordance with the nature of the goods, the place of  receipt or destination, and for the purposes for which they are entrusted to the Freight Forwarder;
•           that all documents submitted to the Freight Forwarder by the Customer are complete, correct, valid, authentic and   not improperly prepared or used;
•           that, unless the Freight Forwarder has been informed thereof previously and in writing, the goods entrusted to him  are not of a dangerous, perishable, flammable or explosive nature or liable to otherwise cause damage to third parties,  persons or property;
•           that he will examine all documents submitted by the Freight Forwarder upon receipt and that he will verify whether  they are in accordance to the instructions given to the Freight Forwarder.

Article 21

The Customer shall be liable to the Freight Forwarder and he shall indemnify him at his first request:

•        against any damage and/or loss resulting from the nature and the packaging of the goods, the incorrectness, inaccuracy  or incompleteness of instructions and information, the non-delivery or untimely delivery of the goods to the Freight Forwarder at the agreed time and place of receipt, the failure to provide, or timely provide, documents and/or  instructions, and the fault or negligence in general of the Customer and of the third parties employed by him;
•          against any damage and/or loss, costs and expenditure which is claimed from the Freight Forwarder by authorities,  third parties or servants and agents, for whatever reason, with regard to the goods, any damage, expenditure, costs, duties, claimed directly or indirectly as a result of the service provided on the instructions of the Customer, unless the Customer shows that such claim was directly caused by a fault or negligent act or omission for which only the Freight Forwarder is liable;
•          against any damage and/or loss, costs and expenditure which is claimed from the Freight Forwarder in cases where, under Community or national laws and regulations, he is under any personal and/or joint and several liability for the payment or settlement of customs duties and/or other taxes.

Article 22

If the claim for which the Freight Forwarder requires compensation or indemnity from the Customer pertains to a customs or other tax claim, and if it is based on instructions with regard to customs received from the Customer or on his behalf, the Customer shall undertake, at the Freight Forwarder’s request, to provide a financial guarantee to unconditionally warrant the Customer's liability towards the Freight Forwarder, to the benefit of the Freight Forwarder or to the benefit of a third party designated by the Freight Forwarder. 

Freight Forwarder's Duties and Liability

1) Provisions common to Agents and Principals

Article 23

The Freight Forwarder shall not be liable for damage caused by an event constituting force majeure, including, but not

limited to, war, riots, strikes, lockouts, boycotts, work congestion, scarcity of cargo or weather conditions.

Article 24

The Freight Forwarder shall not be liable for damage or loss as a result of theft of goods in his possession, custody or

control, unless the Customer shows that the theft took place as a result of circumstances which the Freight Forwarder, in view of the Contract with the Customer, should have avoided or which he should have foreseen, provided that the risk of theft is not for the account of the goods under local regulations or business practice.

Article 25

The Freight Forwarder shall not be liable for any indirect loss or damage, including economic loss or damage, consequential loss or damage and immaterial loss or damage.

Article 26

The Freight Forwarder shall not be responsible for the lack of or bad result of any instructions to collect money, unless

this is proved to have been caused by gross negligence.

2)  Liability of the Freight Forwarder acting as Agent (art. 3.1)

Article 27

The Freight Forwarder shall perform his duties with reasonable care, dedication and perception, and he shall be under a duty of normal professional performance of the instructions given to him.

Article 28

The Freight Forwarder's liability shall be limited to that for fault, negligence or omission in the performance of the

instructions given to him.

To the extent that such fault, negligence or omission has caused any direct material damage or financial loss to the

Customer or third parties, the Freight Forwarder shall be entitled to limit his liability to € 5 per kilogramme gross weight of the goods lost or damaged, with a maximum of € 25,000 per contract.

Article 29

The Freight Forwarder shall not be liable for the performance of any contract entered into by him for and on behalf of his Customer with third parties, servants or agents, pertaining to storage, transport, customs clearance or the handling of goods, unless it is shown by the Customer that the defective performance thereof was directly caused by the Freight

Forwarder’s fault.

Article 30

The Freight Forwarder does not guarantee any fixed time or date for delivery, dates of arrival and departure, unless

otherwise previously agreed in writing. The indication of a time or date for delivery by the Principal is not binding upon the Freight Forwarder.

3) Liability of the Freight Forwarder acting as Principal (art. 3.2)

Article 31

The Freight Forwarder shall be liable as a carrier in the cases provided for in article 3.2.

His liability shall be determined according to national law and the international conventions applicable to the mode of

transport concerned.

 Privilege and Lien

 Article 32

Any amounts charged by the Freight Forwarder shall be privileged in accordance with Belgian law and with these

Conditions.

Article 33

Any claims of the Freight Forwarder as against his Principal shall be privileged under Article 14 of the Act of 5 May 1872, Article 20,7º of the Mortgage Act, and Article 136 of the General Customs and Excise Act with regard to all goods, documents or monies currently or in the future in his possession, custody or control, regardless of the fact whether the claim pertains in whole or in part to the taking in charge or forwarding of other goods than those in his possession, custody or control.

Article 34

The Freight Forwarder shall have the right to retain the goods and he shall be entitled to sell or dispose of the goods and to apply the proceeds to his claim in full; they shall also serve as security, regardless of the fact whether the Principal is the owner of the goods.

 Insurance

Article 35

The Freight Forwarder may make insurance (AREX 21) available to the Principal upon his request in writing, for any

business related to international carriage at the Freight Forwarder's risk.

The costs of such insurance shall be borne by the Principal.

 Prescription and Extinction of Right

Article 36

The Freight Forwarder must be given notice in writing of any claim for damages as against him, with reasoned grounds, within 14 days from either the delivery of the goods or the sending of the goods.

Any potential liability of the Freight Forwarder shall be extinguished automatically and definitively when the Customer has retaken delivery of the documents pertaining to a specific operation within the framework of services after the performance thereof without having formulated a reasoned reservation not later than on the 10th day after the sending of these documents by the Freight Forwarder.

 

Article 37

Any liability action against the Freight Forwarder shall be time-barred as a result of prescription if it is not brought in the Court having jurisdiction within a period of six months.

Prescription shall run from the day following the day on which the goods were delivered or should have been delivered, or, in the absence of delivery, from the day following the day the event giving rise to the action took place.

Jurisdiction and Administration of Justice

Article 38

Exclusive jurisdiction is deferred to the Courts of the Freight Forwarder's registered office, which is presumed to be the place of formation and performance of the Contract, without prejudice to the Freight Forwarder’s right to bring the action before another Court.

Article 39

Legal and arbitration proceedings against third parties shall not be conducted by the Freight Forwarder unless he agrees to do so at the Principal’s request and for and on the Principal’s behalf.

Article 40

All legal relations governed by these Conditions shall exclusively be governed by the laws of Belgium

 Entry into force  

These Conditions were published in the Supplements to the Belgian Official Gazette (Belgisch Staatsblad – Moniteur

belge) of June 24, 2005under number 0090237 and replace all other General Terms and Conditions of the Belgian Freight Forwarders from the date of entry into force. 

 

 

General Conditions

1. Recitals
Unless it is explicitly agreed in writing between the parties, these General Conditions shall govern
obligations arising from contracts entered into by the Freight Forwarder as well as obligations arising from
acts or facts of employees or agents of the Freight Forwarder. The responsibility of the Freight Forwarder
shall also be defined by these General Conditions.
These General Conditions shall be published online on the web site www.fedespedi.it.

2. Definitions
For the purposes of the present General Conditions the term:
a) “Freight Forwarder” means the party entrusted with the conclusion of the contract of carriage, and/or
with the performance of one or more ancillary operations;
b) “Freight Forwarder acting as carrier” means the party entrusted with the forwarding of the goods who
also acts as performing carrier or explicitly undertakes obligations as performing carrier;
c) “Principal” means the party who entrusts the Freight Forwarder with the conclusion of a contract of
carriage and/or with the performing of one or more ancillary operations;
d) “Shipper” means the party appearing as such, or as Consignor, in the contract of carriage entered into
by the Freight Forwarder;
e) “Carrier” means the party actually performing or undertaking the performance of the contract of carriage.
The term “Freight Forwarder” is meant to include also the “Freight Forwarder acting as carrier”, unless any
provision should keep the two cases apart. The term “Freight Forwarder acting as carrier” shall only
pertain to the meaning specified in the aforementioned letter b).

3. Scope of application
Either when acting on his own or when acting on behalf of third parties in the conclusion of the contract of
freight forwarding and/or carriage, the Principal explicitly agrees that these General Conditions shall apply
to all the contractual and non-contractual relationships with the Freight Forwarder and to all the actions
and claims against him.

4. Duties of the Freight Forwarder
By virtue of the mandate received, which shall normally be issued in writing, the Freight Forwarder shall
provide for entering into the contract of carriage and for performing the relevant ancillary operations,
reserving to himself full liberty of action where necessary and shall be at faculty to consolidate cargo as
groupage (unless otherwise explicitly agreed in writing between the parties), always performing with
utmost diligence and acting as Freight Forwarder and never as Freight Forwarder acting as carrier.
The Freight Forwarder, unless otherwise explicitly agreed in writing between the parties, will not accept to
perform the contract of shipment and/or carriage related to:
‐ dangerous goods potentially liable to cause prejudice to persons, animals, other cargo or things;
‐ perishable goods;
‐ goods not packed or non-properly/insufficiently packed;
‐ valuables, coins, precious goods, works of art.
Dangerous goods will include but will not be limited to, the goods classified as dangerous by the IATA,
IMO, ICAO regulations or provided by the ADR/RID regulations.
In case the aforementioned goods should be entrusted to the Freight Forwarder without previous
agreement, or in case the Freight Forwarder accepts instructions on the basis of wrong, incomplete or
false information about the nature or value of the goods, the Freight Forwarder shall have the right to
terminate the contract or, where necessary, to refuse, deposit or dispose of the goods or even destroy
them in case of danger. If any of the above mentioned events shall occur, the Principal and/or the Shipper
shall be held liable for any consequent damage and cost occurred.
The Freight Forwarder may ask for a lumpsum payment under art. 1740 of the Italian Civil Code and in this
case the Freight Forwarder will operate as such and not as Freight forwarder acting as carrier.

5. Time of delivery
The Freight Forwarder does not guarantee the delivery of the goods on an agreed time, and therefore
cannot be held in any event liable for delay in collecting, carrying and/or delivering of any shipment
irrespective of the cause of such delays or irrespective of any request by the Principal for particular terms
and time of delivery even if indicated in the documents of transport.

6. Declarations and warranties by the Principal/Shipper
The Principal and the Shipper warrant and declare:
• that the shipment has been correctly and accurately described in every document of carriage;
• that the goods declared by the Freight Forwarder as non-acceptable have been acknowledged as
such by the Shipper and that they have not been included into the shipment;
• that the nature of the goods, number, quantity, quality and the contents of the packages, the gross
weight (including the weight of packages and pallets), volume and dimension of the packages and
any other information given is true and correct;
• that packing and labeling related to the goods and to the conditions of carriage, are considered as
appropriate.
The Principal and the Shipper further explicitly declare to hold the Freight Forwarder harmless from any
damage, claim or cost at any title arising from:
‐ the breach of the warranties above mentioned;
‐ the lack, insufficiency or inadequacy of packing;
‐ the lack of information on cargo and on packages about the necessary cautions to be used in
handling and lifting the goods.
In case the Freight Forwarder undertakes to perform customs operations, the Principal and/or the Shipper,
warrant that the documentation related to the goods is authentic, complete and fully regular and that the
goods strictly correspond to the description provided, comply with the relevant applicable law, are
importable/exportable and are regularly labelled. In addition, the Principal and/or the Shipper shall give in
due time all the information, dates, customs codes, customs entries and classification of the goods, and all
the necessary documentation in order to proceed with the customs operations and formalities.
The Principal and/or the Shipper authorize the Freight Forwarder to handle all the data relevant to the
shipment, even including personal data if necessary, in order to allow the Freight forwarder to handle the
necessary online administrative and operating issues so to provide the shipment with the best assistance.

7. Quotation by the Freight forwarder
Quotations by the Freight Forwarder and agreements on prices and conditions are always and solely
related to specified services and do not include, unless otherwise provided by the parties, additional costs
arising from operations carried out of the ordinary working hours. Unless otherwise provided, quotations
are binding solely for goods with normal volume, dimension and quality, under the relevant mode of
transport.

8. Advanced Payment and credits of the Freight Forwarder
Whenever the Freight Forwarder, pursuant to agreement between the parties, pays in advance for the
freight, the price of the carriage, the freight charges for containers, customs duties, costs and any other
sum due, at any title, the Principal and/or the Shipper shall refund these amounts to the Freight Forwarder,
plus interests in case of delay and plus compensation for any loss resulting from variations of the currency
exchange.
The Principal and/or the Shipper shall hold the Freight Forwarder fully harmless from any claim for freight,
customs duties, taxes, compensations for deterioration to the goods, fines and other sums charged at any
title to the Freight Forwarder. In case the amounts and retributions due to the Freight Forwarder shall be
paid by the Consignee or by third parties, the Principal and/or the Shipper shall still be liable for the
immediate payment of the above mentioned amount in case the Freight Forwarder is not paid immediately
and spontaneously by the obliged party.
Unless otherwise agreed, no set-off between amounts due to the Freight Forwarder and amounts claimed
by the Principal and/or the Shipper will be allowed.

9. Lien on cargo
The Freight Forwarder shall have a lien on the goods and on the other detained properties relating to
credits accrued or close to the date of due payment against the Principal, the Shipper and other third
parties. The Freight Forwarder shall have the same lien also against the Consignee and/or against the
Owner of the goods.

10. Delay or refusal to load or receive goods
The Principal and/or the Shipper shall refund and hold the Freight Forwarder harmless from any sum or
cost due, including demurrages for means of transport and equipments, containers, swap bodies and the
like, for the return of the goods into the warehouse, for the storage and for the subsequent redelivery.
In case of refusal or untraceability of the Consignee, the Freight Forwarder, if informed about the nondelivery
of the goods in due time and if he is entitled to do so, can adopt the necessary and appropriate
measures for the custody of the goods and its return, acting on behalf of the Principal and/or the Shipper,
who are liable in case of total/partial loss or damages to the goods.

11. Liability
11.1 The Freight Forwarder shall not be liable for the performance of the carriage but solely for the
performance of the contract within the limits established by the entrustment upon the Freight Forwarder
and for any possible ancillary obligation.
11.2 The liability of the Freight Forwarder acting as carrier related to any damage and claim arising from
the operations of shipment and/or carriage, including possible technical stops, shall not exceed the limits
of liability provided to the Freight Forwarder and/or Carrier under the relevant international law applicable
to each shipment or under the relevant national law applicable to each carriage or shipment, including
Italian law, and in any event the limits of liability cannot exceed the limits granted to the actual carrier.
“Technical stop” means the stoppage of the goods in a storage area, or in a warehouse, or in a terminal or
in any other recovery area, for any need related to the performance or continuation of the carriage, or in
any event related to the needs of storing the goods during the carriage or during stops on the way to
delivering the goods to the Carrier or to the Consignee.
12. Loss occurred during unidentified leg
Whenever it is impossible to identify the leg of the carriage when the damage or the loss occurred, as well
as in case of damage or loss occurred during warehousing and/or storage not identifiable as technical stop
(including, therefore, the deposit granted free of charge or by courtesy) performed by the Freight
Forwarder using his own facilities or performed by his agents, or in case the bailee or the agent could not
benefit of the limits of liability during the period of storage and/or handling, the maximum limit of 8,33
DSP/kg shall apply in case of loss or damage to the goods.

13. Indirect damages
Irrespective to and in derogation of articles 1223 and following of the Italian civil code, the Freight
Forwarder shall never be liable for indirect damages (such as, but not limited to: income losses, loss of
profits or damages arising from delays in performing the carriage).
In case of shipments of samples and of commodities or goods to fairs, expositions /exhibitions, events and
the like, compensation for any recoverable loss (if due) shall not exceed the amount of the agreed freight
charge.

14. Claims
Any claim for loss, wrongful delivery, deterioration and damage must be submitted in writing and sent to
the Freight Forwarder strictly within the deadlines and time-bars under any applicable law as provided by
art. 11.

15. Insurance
If empowered by the Principal, the Freight Forwarder can enter into a contract of insurance on behalf of
the holder of insurable interests for the coverage of risks of loss or damage to the goods. The costs of the
coverage shall be specified in the quotation by the Freight Forwarder.
Without explicit instructions by the Principal, the insurance coverage, if required, shall be entered solely for
ordinary risks, at the usual conditions of this kind of coverage for whom it may concern as a single
shipment or as an open cover. In no cases the Freight Forwarder can be considered as insurer or
coinsurer.
As an alternative, the Principal can directly provide and insure the shipment and/or the carriage. In this
case the relevant insurance policy shall explicitly embody a waiver by the Insurer of his right of recovery
against the Freight Forwarder.
Unless the Principal has not explicitly instructed the Freight Forwarder to do so, the latter shall not
commence legal proceedings in order to seek recovery from the Insurer, interrupt time bars, follow
developments of the survey. In the above mentioned case, an additional compensation shall be due by the
Principal to the Freight Forwarder.

16. Force majeure
The Freight Forwarder shall never be held liable for losses, damages, delays, wrongful or missed
deliveries caused by fortuitous events, by exonerating circumstances as provided by any applicable law as
specified under art. 11, and in any event by circumstances out of his control such as, but not limited to:
a) act of God;
b) cases of force majeure such as wars, incidents/deteriorations to means of transport or embargoes,
civil commotions or riots;
c) defects, nature or inherent vice of the goods;
d) acts, breaches of contract, omissions by the Shipper, by the Consignee or by anyone else who
may have an interest in the shipment, by the State Administration, Customs or Postal Authority or
any other competent Authority;
e) strikes, lockouts or work conflicts.
___________________________________________________________________________
According to articles 1341 and 1342 of the Italian Civil Code the following clauses: 5. Time of delivery, 9. Lien on cargo,11. Liability, 12 Loss occurred during unidentified leg, 13. Indirect damages and 14. Claims are specifically approved and undersigned.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Malta-valletta terms and conditions

UNION DES ENTREPRISES

DE TRANSPORT ET LOGISTIQUE DE France

TLF

Conditions Générales de Vente

régissant les opérations effectuées par les opérateurs de transport et/ou de logistique

Article 1 - OBJET ET DOMAINE D’APPLICATION Les présentes conditions ont pour objet de définir les modalités d’exécution par un ‘‘Opérateur de transport et/ou de logistique’’, ci-après dénommé l’O.T.L., à quelque titre que ce soit (agent de fret aérien, agent maritime, commissionnaire de transport, courtier de fret, entrepositaire, mandataire, manutentionnaire, prestataire commissionnaire en douane agréé ou non, transitaire, transporteur, etc.), des activités et des prestations afférentes au déplacement physique d’envois et/ou à la gestion des flux de marchandises, emballées ou non, de toutes natures, de toutes provenances, pour toutes destinations, moyennant un prix librement convenu assurant une juste rémunération des services rendus, tant en régime intérieur qu’en régime international. Tout engagement ou opération quelconque avec ‘‘l’Opérateur de transport et/ou de logistique’’ vaut acceptation, sans aucune réserve, par le donneur d’ordre des conditions ci-après définies. Quelle que soit la technique de transport utilisée, les présentes conditions règlent les relations entre le donneur d’ordre et ‘‘l’Opérateur de transport et/ou de logistique’’. ‘‘L’opérateur de transport et/ou de logistique’’ réalise les prestations demandées dans les conditions prévues notamment à l’article 7 ci-dessous. Aucune condition particulière ni autres conditions générales émanant du donneur d’ordre ne peuvent, sauf acceptation formelle de ‘‘l’Opérateur de transport et/ ou de logistique’’, prévaloir sur les présentes conditions.

Article 2 - DEFINITIONS Au sens des présentes Conditions Générales, les termes ci-après sont définis comme suit: 2-1. - DONNEUR D’ORDRE: Par donneur d’ordre, on entend la partie qui contracte la prestation avec l’Opérateur de transport et/ou de logistique, voire avec le Commissionnaire en douane. 2-2. - COLIS: Par colis, on entend un objet ou un ensemble matériel composé de plusieurs objets, quels qu’en soient le poids, les dimensions et le volume, constituant une charge unitaire lors de la remise au transport (bac, cage, caisse, cantine, carton, conteneur, enveloppe, fardeau, fût, paquet, palette cerclée ou filmée, roll, sac, valise, etc...), conditionnée par l’expéditeur avant la prise en charge, même si le contenu en est détaillé dans le document de transport. 2-3. -ENVOI: Par envoi, on entend la quantité de marchandises, emballage et support de charge compris, mise effectivement, au même moment, à la disposition de l’opérateur de transport et/ou de logistique et dont le déplacement est demandé par un même donneur d’ordre pour un même destinataire d’un lieu de chargement unique à un lieu de déchargement unique et repris sur un même titre.

Article 3 - PRIX DES PRESTATIONS 3.1. - Les prix sont calculés sur la base des informations fournies par le donneur d'ordre, en tenant compte notamment des prestations à effectuer, de la nature, du poids, et du volume de la marchandise à transporter et des itinéraires à emprunter. Les cotations sont établies en fonction du taux des devises au moment où lesdites cotations sont données. Elles sont également fonction des conditions et tarifs des substitués ainsi que des lois, règlements et conventions internationales en vigueur. Si un ou plusieurs de ces éléments de base se trouvaient modifiés après la remise de la cotation, y compris par les substitués de l’O.T.L., de façon opposable à ce dernier, et sur la preuve rapportée par celui-ci, les prix donnés primitivement seraient modifiés dans les mêmes conditions. Il en serait de même en cas d’événement imprévu, quel qu’il soit, entraînant notamment une modification de l’un des éléments de la prestation. Est, entre autres, concerné le prix des carburants dont la variation doit être prise en compte, conformément aux dispositions des articles L. 3222-1 et L. 3222-2 du Code des Transports. 3.2. - Les prix ne comprennent pas les droits, taxes, redevances et impôts dus en application de toute réglementation notamment fiscale ou douanière (tels que accises, droits d'entrée, etc.). 3.3. - Les prix initialement convenus sont renégociés au moins une fois par an à la date anniversaire du contrat. Ils sont aussi révisés en cas de variations significatives des charges de l’O.T.L., charges qui tiennent le plus souvent à des conditions extérieures à l’O.T.L., telles que notamment le prix des carburants comme il est dit dans le paragraphe précédent (3.1.). Si les parties ne parviennent pas à s’entendre sur de nouvelles conditions tarifaires, chacune d’entre elles peut mettre un terme au contrat dans les conditions définies à l’article 12 ci-après.

Article 4 - ASSURANCE DES MARCHANDISES Aucune assurance n'est souscrite par I’O.T.L. sans ordre écrit et répété du donneur d'ordre pour chaque expédition, précisant les risques à couvrir et les valeurs à garantir. Si un tel ordre est donné, l’O.T.L., agissant pour le compte du donneur d’ordre, contracte une assurance auprès d'une compagnie d'assurance notoirement solvable au moment de la couverture. A défaut de spécification précise, seuls les risques ordinaires (hors risques de guerre et de grève) seront assurés. Intervenant, dans ce cas précis, comme mandataire, l’O.T.L. ne peut être considéré en aucun cas comme assureur. Les conditions de la police sont réputées connues et agréées par les expéditeurs et les destinataires qui en supportent le coût. Un certificat d'assurance sera émis, s’il est demandé.

Article 5 - EXECUTION DES PRESTATIONS Les dates de départ et d'arrivée éventuellement communiquées par l’O.T.L. sont données à titre purement indicatif. Le donneur d’ordre est tenu de donner en temps utile les instructions nécessaires et précises à l’O.T.L. pour l’exécution des prestations de transport et des prestations accessoires et/ou des prestations logistiques. L’O.T.L. n'a pas à vérifier les documents (facture commerciale, note de colisage, etc.) fournis par le donneur d’ordre. Toutes instructions spécifiques à la livraison (contre remboursement, etc.) doivent faire l’objet d'un ordre écrit et répété pour chaque envoi et de l’acceptation expresse de l’O.T.L. En tout état de cause, un tel mandat constitue l’accessoire de la prestation principale du transport et/ou de la prestation logistique.

Article 6 - OBLIGATIONS DU DONNEUR D'ORDRE 6.1. - Emballage et étiquetage: 6.1.1. - Emballage: La marchandise doit être conditionnée, emballée, marquée ou contremarquée, de façon à supporter un transport et/ou une opération de stockage exécutés dans des conditions normales, ainsi que les manutentions successives qui interviennent nécessairement pendant le déroulement de ces opérations. Elle ne doit pas constituer une cause de danger pour les personnels de conduite ou de manutention, l’environnement, la sécurité des engins de transport, les autres marchandises transportées ou stockées, les véhicules ou les tiers. Le donneur d’ordre répond seul du choix du conditionnement et de son aptitude à supporter le transport et la manutention. Dans l’hypothèse où le donneur d’ordre confierait à l’O.T.L. des marchandises contrevenant aux dispositions précitées, il serait tenu pour seul responsable sans recours contre l’O.T.L. des dommages de toute nature qu’elles pourraient causer. 6.1.2 - Étiquetage: Sur chaque colis, objet ou support de charge, un étiquetage clair doit être effectué pour permettre une identification immédiate et sans équivoque de l’expéditeur, du destinataire, du lieu de livraison et de la nature de la marchandise. Les mentions des étiquettes doivent correspondre à celles qui figurent sur le document de transport. 6.1.3. - Responsabilité: Le donneur d’ordre répond de toutes les conséquences d’une absence, d’une insuffisance ou d’une défectuosité du conditionnement, de l’emballage, du marquage ou de l’étiquetage. 6.2. - Plombage: Les camions complets, les semi-remorques, les caisses mobiles, les conteneurs, une fois les opérations de chargement terminées, doivent être plombés par le chargeur lui-même ou par son représentant. 6.3. - Obligations déclaratives: Le donneur d’ordre répond de toutes les conséquences d’un manquement à l’obligation d’information et de déclaration sur la nature très exacte et de la spécificité de la marchandise quand cette dernière requiert des dispositions particulières, eu égard notamment à sa valeur et/ou aux convoitises qu’elle est susceptible de susciter, de sa dangerosité ou de sa fragilité. Par ailleurs, le donneur d’ordre s’engage expressément à ne pas remettre à l’O.T.L. des marchandises illicites ou prohibées (par exemple des produits de contrefaçon, des stupéfiants, etc.). Le donneur d'ordre supporte seul, sans recours contre l’O.T.L., les conséquences, quelles qu'elles soient, résultant de déclarations ou documents erronés, incomplets, inapplicables, ou fournis tardivement, en ce comprises les informations nécessaires à la transmission de toute déclaration sommaire exigée par la réglementation douanières, notamment pour les transports de marchandises en provenance de pays tiers. 6.4. - Réserves: En cas de perte, d’avarie ou de tout autre dommage subi par la marchandise, ou en cas de retard, il appartient au destinataire ou au réceptionnaire de procéder aux constatations régulières et suffisantes, de prendre des réserves motivées et en général d'effectuer tous les actes utiles à la conservation des recours et à confirmer lesdites réserves dans les formes et les délais légaux, faute de quoi aucune action ne pourra être exercée contre l’O.T.L. ou ses substitués. 6.5 - Refus ou défaillance du destinataire: En cas de refus des marchandises par le destinataire, comme en cas de défaillance de ce dernier pour quelque cause que ce soit, tous les frais initiaux et supplémentaires dus et engagés pour le compte de la marchandise resteront à la charge du donneur d'ordre. 6.6. - Formalités douanières: Si des opérations douanières doivent être accomplies, le donneur d'ordre garantit le commissionnaire en douane de toutes les conséquences financières découlant d'instructions erronées, de documents inapplicables, etc. entraînant d'une façon générale liquidation de droits et/ou de taxes supplémentaires, amendes, etc...de l’administration concernée. En cas de dédouanement de marchandises au bénéfice d’un régime préférentiel conclu ou accordé par l’Union européenne, le donneur d’ordre garantit avoir fait toutes diligences au sens des dispositions du Code des Douanes Communautaire visant à s’assurer que toutes les conditions pour le traitement du régime préférentiel ont été respectées. Le donneur d’ordre doit, sur demande de l’O.T.L., fournir à ce dernier, dans le délai requis, toutes informations qui lui sont réclamées au titre des exigences de la réglementation douanière. La non-fourniture de ces informations dans ce délai a pour effet de rendre responsable le donneur d’ordre de toutes les conséquences préjudiciables de ce manquement au titre de retards, surcoûts, avaries, etc.. Toutefois, les règles de qualité et/ou de normalisation technique des marchandises relevant de la seule responsabilité du donneur d’ordre, il lui appartient de fournir à l’O.T.L. tous documents (tests, certificats, etc.) exigés par la réglementation pour leur circulation. L’O.T.L. n’encourt aucune responsabilité du fait de la non-conformité des marchandises auxdites règles de qualité ou de normalisation technique. Le commissionnaire en douane agréé dédouane sous le mode de la représentation directe, conformément à l’article 5 du Code des Douanes Communautaire.

Article 7 ---- RESPONSABILITE 7.1. - Responsabilité du fait des substitués: La responsabilité de l’O.T.L. est limitée à celle encourue par les substitués dans le cadre de l’opération qui lui est confiée. Quand les limites d’indemnisation des intermédiaires ou des substitués ne sont pas connues ou ne résultent pas de dispositions impératives ou légales, elles sont réputées identiques à celles fixées à l’article 7.2 ci-après. 7.2. - Responsabilité personnelle de l’Opérateur de transport et/ou de logistique (O.T.L.): Les limitations d’indemnités indiquées ci-dessous constituent la contrepartie de la responsabilité assumée par l’O.T.L. 7.2.1. - Pertes et avaries: Dans tous les cas où la responsabilité personnelle de l’O.T.L. serait engagée, pour quelque cause et à quelque titre que ce soit, elle est strictement limitée pour tous les dommages à la marchandise imputables à l’opération de transport par suite de pertes et avaries et pour toutes les conséquences pouvant en résulter, à 17,25 €uros par kilogramme de poids brut de marchandises manquantes ou avariées sans pouvoir excéder, quels que soient le poids, le volume, les dimensions, la nature ou la valeur de la marchandise concernée, une somme supérieure au produit du poids brut de la marchandise exprimé en tonnes multiplié par 2.850 €uros avec un maximum de 60.000 €uros par événement. 7.2.2. - Autres dommages: Pour tous les autres dommages, y compris en cas de retard de livraison dûment constaté, au cas où sa responsabilité personnelle serait engagée, la réparation due par l’Opérateur de Transport et/ou de Logistique est strictement limitée au prix du transport de la marchandise (droits, taxes et frais divers exclus) ou à celui de la prestation à l’origine du dommage, objet du contrat. Cette indemnité ne pourra excéder celle qui est due en cas de perte ou d’avarie de la marchandise. Pour tous les dommages résultant d’un manquement dans l’exécution de la prestation logistique, objet du contrat, la réparation due par l’Opérateur de logistique, au cas où sa responsabilité personnelle serait engagée, est strictement limitée au prix de la prestation à l’origine du dommage sans pouvoir excéder un maximum de 60.000 €uros par événement. En aucun cas, la responsabilité de l’O.T.L. ne pourra excéder les montants ci-dessus fixés. 7.3. - Cotations: Toutes les cotations données, toutes les offres de prix ponctuelles fournies, ainsi que les tarifs généraux sont établis et/ou publiés en tenant compte des limitations de responsabilité ci-dessus énoncées (7.1. et 7.2.) 7.4. - Déclaration de valeur ou assurance: Le donneur d’ordre a toujours la faculté de souscrire une déclaration de valeur qui, fixée par lui et acceptée par l’O.T.L., a pour effet de substituer le montant de cette déclaration aux plafonds d’indemnité indiqués ci-dessus (Articles 7.1. et 7.2.1.). Cette déclaration de valeur entraînera un supplément de prix. Le donneur d’ordre peut également donner instructions à l’O.T.L., conformément à l’Article 4 (Assurance des marchandises), de souscrire pour son compte une assurance, moyennant le paiement de la prime correspondante, en lui précisant les risques à couvrir et les valeurs à garantir. Les instructions (déclaration de valeur ou assurance) doivent être renouvelées pour chaque opération. 7.5. - Intérêt spécial à la livraison: Le donneur d’ordre a toujours la faculté de faire une déclaration d’intérêt spécial à la livraison qui, fixée par lui et acceptée par l’O.T.L., a pour effet de substituer le montant de cette déclaration aux plafonds d’indemnité indiqués ci-dessus (Articles 7.1 et 7.2.2.). Cette déclaration entraînera un supplément de prix. Les instructions doivent être renouvelées pour chaque opération.

Article 8 - TRANSPORTS SPECIAUX Pour les transports spéciaux (transport en citernes, transport d’objets indivisibles, transport de marchandises périssables sous température dirigée, transport d’animaux vivants, transport de véhicules, transport de marchandises soumises à une réglementation spéciale, notamment les transports de marchandises dangereuses, etc.) l’O.T.L. met à la disposition de l’expéditeur un matériel adapté dans les conditions qui lui auront été préalablement définies par le donneur d'ordre.

Article 9 - CONDITIONS DE PAIEMENT 9 .1 - Les prestations de service sont payables comptant à réception de la facture, sans escompte, au lieu de leur émission. Le donneur d’ordre est toujours garant de leur acquittement. 9. 2 - La compensation unilatérale du montant des dommages allégués sur le prix des prestations dues est interdite. 9 .3 - Si des délais de paiement sont consentis, ceux-ci ne peuvent, en aucun cas, dépasser trente jours à compter de la date d’émission de la facture pour toutes les prestations exécutées par les commissionnaires de transport et par les transporteurs routiers de marchandises, ainsi que pour toutes celles réalisées par les agents maritimes et/ou de fret aérien, par les commissionnaires en douane, par les courtiers de fret et par les transitaires conformément aux dispositions de l’article L.441-6 alinéa 11 du Code de commerce. 9 .4 -Tout retard dans le paiement entraine de plein droit, le jour suivant la date de règlement figurant sur la facture, l’exigibilité d’intérêts de retard d’un montant équivalent au taux d’intérêt appliqué par la Banque Centrale Européenne (BCE) à son opération de refinancement la plus récente majoré de dix points de pourcentage et fixé selon les modalités définies à l’article L..441-6 alinéa 12 du Code de commerce, ainsi que d’une indemnité forfaitaire pour frais de recouvrement d’un montant de 40 euros suivant l’article D.441-5 du Code de commerce, et ce sans préjudice de la réparation éventuelle, dans les conditions du droit commun, de tout autre dommage résultant directement de ce retard. 9 .5 ---- La date d’exigibilité du paiement, le taux d’intérêt des pénalités de retard, ainsi que l’indemnité forfaitaire de compensation des frais de recouvrement doivent obligatoirement figurer la facture. 9.6 ---- Tout paiement partiel, à la date de l’échéance convenue, sera imputé en premier lieu sur la partie non privilégiée des créances. Le non-paiement d’une seule échéance emportera sans formalités déchéance du terme, le solde devenant immédiatement exigible même en cas d’acceptation d’effets.

Article 10 - DROIT DE GAGE CONVENTIONNEL Quelle que soit la qualité en laquelle l’O.T.L. intervient, le donneur d'ordre lui reconnaît expressément un droit de gage conventionnel emportant droit de rétention et de préférence général et permanent sur toutes les marchandises, valeurs et documents en possession de l’opérateur de transport, et ce en garantie de la totalité des créances (factures, intérêts, frais engagés, etc.) que l’O.T.L. détient contre lui, même antérieures ou étrangères aux opérations effectuées au regard des marchandises, valeurs et documents qui se trouvent effectivement entre ses mains.

Article 11 - PRESCRIPTION Toutes les actions auxquelles le contrat conclu entre les parties peut donner lieu sont prescrites dans le délai d’un an à compter de l’exécution de la prestation litigieuse dudit contrat et en matière de droits et taxes recouvrés a posteriori à compter de la notification du redressement.

Article 12 ---- DUREE DU CONTRAT ET RESILIATION 12.1. - Dans le cas où il est conclu entre le donneur d’ordre et l’O.T.L un contrat à durée indéterminée qui scelle des relations durables que les parties souhaitent établir entre elles, ce contrat peut être résilié à tout moment par l’une ou par l’autre partie par l’envoi d’une lettre recommandée avec avis de réception moyennant un préavis d’un mois quand le temps déjà écoulé depuis le début de l’exécution du contrat n’est pas supérieur à six mois. Le préavis est porté à deux mois quand ce temps est supérieur à six mois et inférieur à un an. Quand la durée de la relation est supérieure à un an, le préavis est porté à trois mois. 12.2. Pendant la période de préavis, les parties s’engagent à maintenir l’économie du contrat. 12.3. En cas de manquements graves ou répétés, prouvés, de l’une des parties à ses engagements et à ses obligations, l’autre partie est tenue de lui adresser, par lettre recommandée avec avis de réception, une mise en demeure motivée. Si celle-ci reste sans effet dans le délai d’un mois, période durant laquelle les parties peuvent tenter de se rapprocher, il pourra être mis fin définitivement au contrat, sans préavis ni indemnité, par lettre recommandée avec avis de réception prenant acte de l’échec de la tentative de négociation. 12.4. Toutes les actions relatives aux dispositions ci-dessus sont prescrites dans le délai d’un an conformément à celles visées à l’article 11 mentionné ci-dessus (PRESCRIPTION).

Article 13 - ANNULATION - INVALIDITE Au cas où l’une quelconque des dispositions des présentes Conditions Générales de Vente serait déclarée nulle ou réputée non écrite, toutes les autres dispositions resteraient applicables.

Article 14- CLAUSE ATTRIBUTIVE DE JURIDICTION En cas de litige ou de contestation, seuls les Tribunaux du Siège social de l’Opérateur de transport et/ou de logistique sont compétents, même en cas de pluralité de défendeurs ou d'appels en garantie. Les présentes Conditions Générales de Vente de l’Union des entreprises de Transport et Logistique de France (TLF) remplacent celles publiées le 2 novembre 2011 et entrent en vigueur le 1er janvier 2013 (le premier janvier deux mille treize).