1.1. The business of TSL is to arrange the receipt, packing, storing, transport, customs clearance, delivery and other handling of goods as a forwarding and customs agent and accordingly, except to the extent that an incidental part of the services is directly performed by TSL and except where the paragraph 2.2 applies the relationship between the Customer and TSL shall be that of principal and agent only.
1.2. TSL may refuse to provide services to any person, or for any class of goods
1.3. The Customer authorises TSL, as agent, to enter into contracts for the carriage and/or handling of the goods by any route or means with, and to entrust the goods to, any contractor or subcontractor on terms agreed between such persons and TSL, and agrees that such terms will bind the Customer, as principal.
1.4. The Customer authorises TSL to depart from any instructions given by it or on its behalf in any respect if, in TSL’s opinion, it is necessary or desirable to do so.
2.1. Subject to paragraph 2.2, these Conditions govern all dealings between TSL and the Customer, including the provision of any advice or information and shall prevail over any terms and conditions in any document used by the Customer purporting to have contractual effect.
2.2. In any case where TSL issues a Bill of Lading or other transport document in which TSL is described as the carrier, the terms and conditions of such transport document (including all limitations and exclusions of liability) shall, to the extent of any inconsistency, prevail over these Conditions.
2.3. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is any matter dealt with in these Conditions that is not dealt with in any transport document issued by TSL, or which relates to a period of time or stage of transit not covered by such transport document, these Conditions shall apply to the maximum extent permitted by the law.
2.4. No modification or waiver of any term of these Conditions shall bind TSL unless in writing and signed by a Director or other representative of TSL holding written authority signed by the Director.
3.1. These Conditions shall also benefit, and be enforceable by, every contractor, subcontractor, servant and agent of TSL.
3.2. The Customer warrants that it is authorised to accept and does accept these Conditions on behalf of all the other persons who have, or may acquire, any interest in the goods.
4.1. Where any legislation applies to the services provided by TSL then:
(a) These Conditions shall be read subject to any provision which is mandatory;
(b) TSL shall be entitled to any rights, immunities from or limitations of liability under such legislation.
4.2. Without limiting the generality of paragraph 4.1:
(a) Sections 10, and 18 to 27 of the Carriage of Goods Act 1979 shall apply to the services provided by TSL only to the extent that they extend or enlarge TSL’s rights and powers under these Conditions;
(b) Where the Customer carries on a “business” as defined in the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, it agrees it is acquiring the services of TSL for the purposes of that business and nothing in that Act shall apply.
5.1. The Customer warrants that:
(a) all goods have been properly and sufficiently packed and prepared to withstand the risks of carriage and handling having regard to their nature and destination;
(b) all marks, weights, numbers, brands, contents, descriptions, values and other particulars furnished to TSL relating to the goods are correct; and
(c) the Customer has complied with all applicable laws and government regulations of any country to, from, through or over which the goods may be carried relating to the nature, packaging, labelling or carriage of goods.
6.1. Without prior notification and agreement, TSL will not accept or deal with:
(a) Goods which it is unlawful to carry or handle, or which can only be carried or handled with a permit;
(b) Dangerous goods or good likely to cause damage;
(c) Any perishable goods or goods which require special handling or packaging;
(d) Valuables of any kind;
(e) Household effects.
6.2. Where TSL agrees to accept or deal with any goods referred to in paragraph 6.1, the Customer will provide all documents and information relating to the goods (including any relevant permits) necessary to enable TSL to:
(a) Comply with the law; and
(b) Arrange for the goods to be carried or handled safely and in a manner which is likely to minimise loss.
6.3. If the Customer delivers any goods referred to in paragraph 6.1 to, or causes TSL to carry or handle the goods, or arrange for the goods to be carried or handled by any contractor or subcontractor without prior notification and agreement
(a) Neither TSL nor any such contractor or subcontractor shall be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising out of its dealings with the goods;
(b) The Customer shall be liable for all loss or damage whatsoever caused by, to or in connection with the goods however cause arising;
(c) the Customer shall indemnify TSL, the contractors, subcontractors and their respective servants, and agents against all penalties, claims, damages, costs and expenses whatsoever arising as a result; and
(d) in the case of goods referred to in paragraph 6.1 a, b, and c, the goods may be destroyed or otherwise dealt with at the sole discretion of TSL, the contractor, subcontractor or any other person in whose custody they may be at the expense of the Customer without TSL, the contractor, subcontractor or such person being responsible or accountable in any way.
The goods shall be deemed to have been delivered when they are delivered to the address given to TSL by the Customer or consignee for that purpose.
8.1. The Customer agrees to pay all charges made by TSL in accordance with the terms of any separate agreement relating to the services provided or, if there is no such agreement, TSL’s standard charges, and any other expenses (including, without limitation, taxes or duties) reasonably incurred by TSL in connection with the goods or the services provided by TSL.
8.2. TSL shall be under no obligation to incur or pay any expenses unless the Customer has provided TSL with sufficient funds to meet the same.
8.3. TSL may fix its charges by weigh, measurements or value, and may at any time have or require the goods to be re-weighed, re-measured or re-valued and re-fix its charges accordingly.
8.4. All quotations given by TSL are based on costs for freight, insurance and other charges, rates of exchange, taxes, duties and other imposts, prevailing at the date of quotation and on the latest available quotations from contractors and subcontractors used by TSL. If such costs increase at any time as a result of variations in any of the foregoing, the charges payable by the Customer shall increase accordingly.
8.5. TSL’s charges and expenses shall be deemed earned as soon as any handling of the goods has occurred. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, TSL’s charges and expenses shall be paid, without any deductions or set off and if not so paid, the Customer agrees to pay interest at 1.5 per cent per month on the unpaid balance until the payment is made.
8.6. All charges as invoiced are deemed to be due in full either;
(a) in the case of importing goods to New Zealand, prior to release of the goods to the consignee; and
(b) in the case of exporting goods from New Zealand, prior to release of documents to the shipper
8.7. The Customer shall remain liable to TSL for all TSL’s charges notwithstanding any direction that the whole or any part of them shall be payable by some other person.
8.8. If at any time any payment due by the Customer to TSL is in arrears, TSL reserves the right to suspend any further services to that Customer. Any incidental charges arising from this suspension, such as storage, are also for the account of the Customer.
8.9. TSL reserve the right to recover all legal costs and incidental expenses as a result of expenses occurred recovering any outstanding monies owed or disputed.
8.10. TSL can make credit checks on the Customer as required on the Personal Property Securities Register “PPSR” and can further:
(a) Register TSL’s General Security Agreement on the PPSR for any debt due or any future interest or advances; and
(b) Register TSL’s security on the PPSR over the inventory and proceeds of sale of the inventory within a container
8.11. TSL reserves the right to offset any amounts receivable from the Customer against any amounts payable to that Customer or any company affiliated with the Customer. This right exists irrespective of the date the liability has been created or debt incurred with TSL.
8.12. All charges invoiced and due to TSL in New Zealand are payable in New Zealand dollars. The company is entitled to charge a currency conversion premium when converting charges levied in foreign currencies into New Zealand dollars.
8.13. The Customer is responsible for compliance with statutory requirements administered by but not limited to: New Zealand Customs Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Land Transport Safety Authority. Any costs incurred as levies, charges, billable items, excise, GST, fines or ancillary charges however incurred are to be paid by the consignee. These may also include (but are not limited to) storage, demurrage, detention, fumigation, destruction additional handling and administration costs.
9.1. The Customer acknowledges that all freight rates quoted include a limited amount of storage time in depots, ports and/or container hire in the case of full container shipments via sea transport. This applies in the case of the place of loading as well as the place of unloading.
9.2. Outside this time allowed in the freight charges, additional charges will apply. These charges vary according to the individual tariffs applicable but can be obtained upon request from TSL
9.3. Cartage charges do not include waiting time for vehicles delayed for whatever reason by the Customer. TSL reserves the right to recover from the Customer any costs associated with waiting time for vehicles arranged to carry the Customers cargo.
9.4. Freight charges for temperature controlled containers include a limited amount of cost to cover Power and Monitoring at the port of loading and the port of discharge. Outside of this additional costs will apply. These can be quoted by TSL upon request.
9.5. TSL will advise Customers prior to shipment in the case of exports and prior to arrival in the case of imports of the allowable time included in the freight charges.
9.6. The customer agrees that all charges, costs and expenses arising under clauses 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4 and / or 9.5, howsoever incurred, shall be payable in full by the Customer on demand, without any deductions or set off and if not so paid, the Customer agrees to pay any interest that may be charged on the unpaid balance until the payment is made.
The Customer acknowledges that TSL may have a pecuniary interest in any contract entered into by TSL as its agent in terms of these Conditions and agrees that TSL may receive and retain all brokerage, commission, discounts, allowances and other remuneration paid by the other party to the contract and customarily received or retained by Shipping and forwarding agents and Insurance Brokers, in addition to the charges and expenses referred to in paragraph 8, and need not disclose to the Customer the nature or amount thereof.
11.1. Freight charges payable to TSL by the Customer do not include insurance cover for the cargo carried.
11.2. Insurance of the goods is the responsibility of the Customer.
11.3. In the first instance any suspicion of loss or damage should be reported to the Customers Insurer.
11.4. TSL will arrange insurance on the goods as the agent of the Customer only if there is an express written agreement to do so between TSL. Any such insurance:
(a) may in the discretion of TSL, be on a separate, or an open or general policy;
(b) Shall be at the expense of the Customer; and
(c) Will be subject to the usual exceptions and conditions of the policies of the insurer accepting the risk.
If the insurer disputes liability for any reason, the Customer shall have recourse against the insurer only and TSL shall not be under any responsibility or liability, notwithstanding that the premium on any policy may not be the same as that charged to or paid by the Customer.
12.1. Immediately they come into the possession of TSL or any contractor or subcontractor, all goods and documents relating to goods shall be subject to a particular and general lien security payment of all moneys due to TSL by the Customer or the consignee, consignor or owner, whether in respect of such goods or otherwise, and whether or not such moneys are overdue for payment.
12.2. If any moneys due to TSL are not paid within fourteen (14) days after notice to the debtor that the lien is being exercised, the goods may be sold by auction or otherwise at the debtor’s expense, and the net proceeds applied in reduction of the indebtedness. No such sale shall prejudice or affect TSL’s rights to recover and balance owing to TSL for its services or the cost of the detention and sale.
13.1. All handling which is subject to the Carriage of Goods Act 1979 shall be performed at limited carrier’s risk
13.2. Subject to paragraph 13.1 and to any other mandatory provision of law to the contrary, TSL shall not be under any liability, liable, however caused or arising, and (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) whether arising or resulting from through negligence, breach of contract on the part of TSL or otherwise for:
(a) any damage to or loss, deterioration, contamination, mis-delivery, delay in delivery or non-delivery of the goods;
(b) any loss of or damage to perishable goods due to any failure or breakdown of machinery or plant, shortage of power or labour, or pilferage, theft or burglary (or any attempt at the same) whether by any servant or agent of TSL or any other person;
(c) in connection with any instruction, advice, information or service given or provided to any person whether in respect of the goods or any other matter or thing;
(d) any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage caused by or arising from delay, loss of market or loss of or damage to the goods, or otherwise howsoever and whether or not TSL had actual or constructive notice that such loss or damage could arise.
13.3. The Customer shall indemnify TSL against any claims (whether resulting from the negligence of TSL or otherwise) brought by any person in connection with any matter or thing done, said or omitted by TSL in connection with its dealings with the Customer or the goods.
13.4. All of the rights, immunities and limitations of liability in these Conditions shall continue to have full force and effect in all circumstances and notwithstanding any breach of contract by, or any negligence on the part of, TSL.
13.5. Subject to paragraph 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4, in any case TSL’s liability has not been effectively excluded by these Conditions, such liability shall to the maximum extent permitted by law be limited to the lesser of:
(a) $100; or
(b) The cost of resupplying the handling of the goods; or
(c) The replacement value of the good
13.6. Where paragraph 13.5 applies, the maximum aggregate liability of TSL for all claims arising out of any one incident or occurrence shall be limited:
(a) In any case where liability arises as a result of mis-delivery, delay in delivery or non-delivery of any good, to $10,000; and
(b) In any other case to $100,000.
13.7. Where as a result of the application of paragraph 12.6 not all claims can be paid in full, all claims properly payable shall abate pro rata.
14.1. TSL shall be under no liability whatsoever unless:
(a) written notice of any claim, giving full particulars of any alleged loss or damage, is received by TSL within fourteen (14) days after delivery of the goods or the date when they should have been delivered;
(b) any action shall have been commenced by the Customer in a Court of competent jurisdiction within six (6) months from the date of dispatch of the goods.
These Conditions, and any act or contract to which they apply, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with New Zealand law. All actions against TSL shall be brought in a Court of New Zealand.
16.1. These Standard Trading Conditions are deemed invoked and accepted by both parties on the basis of the first financial transaction taking place and will remain in effect thereafter.
16.2. If any provision of these Standard Trading Conditions is unenforceable, such unenforceability shall not affect any other part of such provision or any other provision thereof. However, for the avoidance of doubt, sections 6-10 Contractual Remedies Act 1979 are hereby excluded and shall have no operation or effect in relation to this contract.
In these Conditions:
(a) "Container" includes any container, trailer, transportable tank, flat or pallet, or any similar article of transport used to consolidate goods;
(b) "Contractor" includes any person carrying or handling the goods for the Customer under a contract arranged by, or with the authority of, TSL as agent for the Customer;
(c) "The Customer" includes any person referred to in paragraph 1.3 and any "contracting party" in terms of the Carriage of Goods Act 1979;
(d) "dangerous goods" includes noxious goods, explosives, poisons, corrosive, inflammable or radioactive substances, compressed gases, goods harbouring or likely to harbour or encourage vermin, borer or other pests, and any other goods, or substances which, in the opinion of TSL, are likely to cause damage or injury to other goods, property or persons;
(e) "TSL" means Transport Services & Logistics Ltd, its employees, officers, agents, and subsidiary and related companies;
(f) "goods" means the goods or other cargo which are the subject of instructions issued to TSL by the Customer and includes any container not supplied by or on behalf of TSL;
(g) "handling" includes any packing, storage, trans-shipment, unloading, loading, customs clearance, delivery and other services relating to the goods;
(h) "subcontractor" means any person carrying or handling the goods for the Customer under a contract in terms of which TSL is, or is deemed to be, a principal;
(i) "valuables" includes bullion, coins, negotiable instruments, securities of any kind, precious stones, jewellery, antiques and works of art, and
(j) Terms which are defined in the Carriage of Goods Act 1979 have the same meaning.
