VIC-LINKS EXPRESS INT'L(HK) LTD.
STANDARD TRADING CONDITIONS
Effective 1 April, 2011
"Company"
means VIC-LINKS EXPRESS INT'L (HK) LTD.
"Customer"
means and includes any person at whose request or on whose behalf the Company
provides Services,
the shipper, the consignee and/or the owner of the goods.
"goods"
includes goods, wares, merchandise and articles of every kind whatever; and any
container, trailer, tank or pallet (including similar articles of transport used
to store or consolidate goods) not supplied by or on behalf of the
Company.
"Dangerous
Goods" includes goods that are of a dangerous, explosive, inflammable,
radioactive or damaging nature.
"Hague Rules" means the International Convention for the
Unification of certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading signed at
"Owner"
means the owner of goods.
"Services"
means the services provided by the Company either as principal or as agent, e.g.
undertaking or arranging carriage of goods by air, sea, inland waterway, rail
and/or road; and/or storage, loading, unloading, packing, unpacking,
consolidation, de-consolidation, collection, delivery and/or other handling of
goods.
2.1.
All business undertaken by the Company is
transacted subject to these Conditions, which shall be deemed to be incorporated
in any agreement between the Company and the Customer.
2.2.
If at any time one or more of such
provisions becomes invalid or illegal, the validity or legality of the remaining
provisions of these Conditions shall not in any way be
affected.
2.3.
The Company may issue its own waybill,
bill of lading, godown
warrant, haulage receipt, forwarder cargo receipt, combined transport document
or other documents of carriage naming the Company as the carrier. Where such a
document is issued, the terms and conditions in it shall prevail in so far as
they are inconsistent with these Conditions.
2.4.
Where the Company is held to be a
carrier, the Company shall be entitled to all the rights, immunities, exceptions
and limitations conferred on the carrier by any applicable law or
legislation.
2.5.
Where the Company has not issued its own
bill of lading and is held to be a carrier as far as carriage of goods by sea or
inland waterway is concerned, the Company's liability shall be determined by
Article III and Article IV of the Hague Rules, and the aforesaid Articles shall
prevail in so far as they are inconsistent with these Conditions. The limitation
amount in Article IV (5) of the Hague Rules is deemed to be the nominal value of
100 pounds sterling.
2.6.
In these Conditions, words importing the
singular include the plural and vice versa; words importing a gender include
every gender.
2.7.
Wherever it is provided in these
Conditions that notice shall be dispatched by the Company to the Customer, such
notice shall be deemed as having been dispatched if (i) the Company does not
know the address, e-mail address or fax number of the Customer or (ii) the
notice cannot reach the Customer through its address, e-mail address or fax
number last known to the Company.
2.8.
The Customer's liability under these
Conditions shall be joint and several.
3. The
Customer entering into any business with the Company warrants to the Company
that the Customer is the Owner or it is authorized to accept these Conditions
not only for itself but also for the Owner.
4. The
Customer further warrants that:
a.
all
the goods have been properly and sufficiently packed and that the Company has no
liability for any loss of, damage to or any other claims relating to the goods
which are improperly or insufficiently packed; and
b.
the
goods are fit and suitable for the carriage, storage and any other handling in
accordance with the Customer's instructions; and
c.
it
shall fully comply with applicable laws and regulations of ports, airports,
Customs or other authorities.
5.1.
The Customer shall indemnify the Company
against all claims, liability, losses, damage, costs and expenses (including but
not limited to loss of and/or damage to any aircraft, container and/or vessel)
arising out of the Company acting in accordance with the Customer's
instructions, or arising from a breach of warranty or obligation on the part of
the Customer, or arising from the inaccurate information or the insufficient
instructions provided by the Customer, or arising from the mistake, negligence
or wilful default of the Customer.
5.2.
The Customer undertakes that no claim
shall be made against any employee, agent or sub-contractor of the Company if
such claim imposes upon them any liability in connection with any Services
provided by the Company. If any such claim should nevertheless be made, the
Customer shall indemnify the Company against all consequences. Every such
employee, agent and sub-contractor shall have the benefit of all the terms
herein benefiting the Company as if such terms were expressly provided for his
or its benefit. For these purposes, the Company contracts for itself and also as
agent and trustee for each such employee, agent and
sub-contractor.
5.3.
The Customer shall defend, indemnify and
hold harmless the Company from and against all claims, costs and demands
whatsoever and by whomsoever made or preferred in excess of the liability of the
Company under the terms of these Conditions, and such indemnity shall include
all claims, costs and demands arising from the negligence, mistake or wilful
default of the Company's agent or sub-contractor or from the mistake or
negligence of the Company or its employee.
5.4.
The Customer shall defend, indemnify and
hold harmless the Company in respect of any general average claim that may be
made against the Company and the Customer shall provide such security as may be
required by the Company.
6. Except
under special arrangements previously made in writing, the Customer warrants
that the goods are not Dangerous Goods, nor are goods of comparable hazard, nor
are goods otherwise likely to cause damage. Should the Customer nevertheless
deliver any such goods to the Company or cause the Company to handle any such
goods otherwise than under special arrangements previously made in writing, then
whether or not the Company is aware of the nature of such goods, the Customer
shall be liable for all expenses, losses or damage whatsoever caused by or to or
in connection with such goods and howsoever arising, and shall indemnify the
Company against all penalties, claims, damages, costs, expenses and any other
liability whatsoever arising in connection with such goods, and such goods may
be destroyed or otherwise dealt with at the risk and expenses of the Customer or
the Owner in the sole discretion of and without any liability to the Company. If
such goods are handled by the Company under arrangements previously made in
writing, they may nevertheless be destroyed at the risk and expenses of the
Customer or the Owner in the sole discretion of and without any liability to the
Company on account of risk to other goods, property, life or health. The goods
that are likely to cause damage include goods that are likely to encourage
vermin or other pests.
7. Except
under special arrangements previously made in writing, the Company will not deal
with bullion, bank notes, coins, cheques, bonds, negotiable documents and
securities, precious stones, precious metal objects, jewellery, valuables,
antiques, valuable works of art, livestock or plants. Should the Customer
nevertheless deliver any such goods to the Company or cause the Company to
handle any such goods otherwise than under special arrangements previously made
in writing, the Company shall be under no liability whatsoever in connection
with such goods (including any loss, damage, misdelivery, misdirection or delay
howsoever caused) and notwithstanding that the value of any such goods may be
shown, declared or indicated on any documents accompanying such
goods.
8.1.
If delivery of the goods is not taken by
the Customer or the Owner at the time and place when and where delivery should
be taken, the Company shall be entitled (but is not obliged) to store the goods
at the sole risk of the Customer and the Owner, whereupon any liability which
the Company may have in respect of the goods stored as aforesaid shall wholly
cease and the cost of such storage shall be paid by the Customer to the
Company.
8.2.
The Company is entitled (but not obliged)
to sell by public auction or private treaty or to dispose of all goods which in
the opinion of the Company cannot be delivered either because the consignee's
address is incorrect or because the goods are not collected or accepted by the
Customer within 14 days after notice has been dispatched to the Customer's
address, e-mail address or fax number last known to the Company. In case the Customer does not receive
the notice dispatched by the Company asking the Customer to take delivery of the
goods, such shall not affect the Company's aforesaid right to sell or dispose of
the uncollected goods. The Customer shall pay all costs and expenses (including
but not limited to storage costs and demurrage charges) incurred in connection
with the storage and the sale and/or disposal of the
goods.
8.3.
All goods and documents relating thereto
shall be subject to a particular and general lien for monies due in respect of
such goods, or for any particular or general balance or other monies due from
the Customer to the Company. If any such monies due to the Company are not paid
within 14 days after notice has been dispatched to the Customer's address,
e-mail address or fax number last known to the Company, the goods may be sold by
public auction or private treaty or may be disposed of at the sole discretion of
the Company at the expense of the Customer, and the proceeds if any (net of the
expenses in connection with such sale) shall be applied in satisfaction of such
debts, and the Company shall not be liable for any reduction in value received
on the sale of the goods, nor shall the Customer be relieved from the liability
of any outstanding debts merely because the goods have been sold or disposed of.
In case the Customer does not receive the notice dispatched by the Company
asking the Customer to pay the outstanding monies, such shall not affect the
Company's aforesaid right to sell or dispose of the goods. The Customer is responsible for payment
of all costs and expenses (including but not limited to storage costs and
demurrage charges) being incurred when the goods are being liened.
9.1.
The Customer shall pay to the Company all
sums immediately when due without deduction on account of any claim,
counterclaim or set-off. Payment to the Company is due as soon as an invoice is
rendered to the Customer. For any amount unpaid within 30 days from the date of
the invoice, the Company shall be entitled to interest from the date of the
invoice until payment at 2% per month.
9.2.
If the shipment is on the freight collect
basis but the consignee does not take delivery of the goods within 14 days from
the date of the goods' arrival at the place of delivery, the Customer shall be
responsible for payment of all the outstanding freight charges, and costs and
expenses (including but not limited to storage costs and demurrage charges)
incurred until the goods are duly delivered or are sold or disposed of as per
Clauses 8.2 and/or 8.3.
10.1. The
Company shall be entitled to sub-contract on any terms the whole or any part of
the Services whatsoever undertaken by the Company.
10.2. The
Company reserves to itself absolute discretion as to the means, the manner, the
routes and the procedures to be followed in the performance of the Services
including the carriage, the storage and the other handling of the goods. The
Company has liberty to use any means, routes or procedures, including using any
vessel or stowing the goods on or under deck. Anything done in accordance with
the aforesaid discretion or liberty shall not be a deviation of whatsoever
nature or degree.
11.
If there is any loss, damage,
deterioration, non-compliance or miscompliance
of instructions, non-delivery, misdelivery (other than the ones described in
Clauses 12.1 and 12.2), unauthorised
delivery or misdirection of or to or in connection with the goods that arises
from the negligence, mistake or wilful default of the Company, its employee,
agent or sub-contractor, the Company shall be liable for any claim relating to
the aforesaid incident. However, the Company's aforesaid liability shall not
exceed a total of US$3 per kilogram of the gross weight of that part of the
goods in respect of which a claim arises. Nevertheless, the Company shall not
limit its liability if the aforesaid incident arises from the Company's own
wilful
default.
12.1. If
there is any misdelivery of goods without production of Bill of Lading
negligently done by the Company's employee, agent or sub-contractor that has no
instruction or prior approval of the Company, the Company shall be liable for
any claim relating to the aforesaid misdelivery of goods. However, the Company's
aforesaid liability shall not exceed a total of US$3 per kilogram of the gross
weight of that part of the goods misdelivered.
12.2. If
the Company's employee, agent or sub-contractor negligently misdelivers the
goods to a person (not entitled to receive the goods) without the Company's
instruction or prior approval, the Company shall be liable for any claim
relating to the aforesaid misdelivery of goods. However, the Company's aforesaid
liability shall not exceed a total of US$3 per kilogram of the gross weight of
that part of the goods misdelivered.
13.
Notwithstanding any other terms in these
Conditions to the contrary but subject to Clauses 2.3 and 2.5, the Company shall
not be liable for any claim relating to:
a.
any
delay, goods shut out or off loaded, goods' departure or arrival time;
or
b.
any
special, incidental, indirect, consequential or economic loss (including but not
limited to loss of market, profit, tax, tax return, revenue, business or
goodwill); or
c.
any
loss, damage, expense or cost arising from fire, flood, storm, typhoon,
explosion, port or airport congestion, deviation, strike, lock out, stoppage or
restraint of labour
even
if the aforesaid incident arises from the negligence or mistake of the Company,
its employee, agent or sub-contractor, or from the wilful default of the
Company's agent or sub-contractor. However, if the Company is still legally held
liable for the aforesaid claim despite the aforesaid provision, the Company's
liability shall not exceed a total of US$3 per kilogram of the gross weight of
that part of the goods in respect of which the claim
arises.
14.
If there is any claim that the Company is
legally held liable, and no other terms in these Conditions (limiting or
excluding the Company's liability) are suited to that claim, the Company's
aforesaid liability shall not exceed a total of US$3 per kilogram of the gross
weight of that part of the goods in respect of which the claim arises. However, the Company shall not limit its
liability if the incident leading to the claim arises from the Company's own
wilful default.
15.
The Company may accept liability in
excess of the limits set out in Clauses 11, 12.1, 12.2, 13 and 14 provided that
(i) the value of the goods has been declared in writing by the Customer and
accepted by the Company and (ii) the Customer pay to the Company additional
charges as decided by the Company. Details of the additional charges will be
provided upon written request by the Customer. The declared value accepted shall
be the Company's limit of liability and shall replace the limits in Clauses 11,
12.1, 12.2, 13 and 14.
16.
All and any Services provided by the
Company gratuitously are provided on the basis that the Company will not accept
any liability whatsoever.
17.
It is
agreed that superficial rust, oxidation, discoloration, or any like condition
due to moisture is not a condition of damage but is inherent to the
nature of the goods, and acknowledgement of
receipt of the goods
by the Company in
apparent good order and condition
is not a representation that such
conditions of rust, oxidation,
discoloration, or the like did not exist on receipt.
18.
If the Services are or are likely to be
affected by any risk, delay, hindrance, difficulty or disadvantage of any kind
whensoever
and howsoever arising
(including but not limited to port or airport congestion, strike, lock out,
stoppage, restraint of labour, and/or the Customer's failure to pay the Services
charges that have been outstanding for 2 months or more),
the Company may terminate and/or abandon the Services and place the goods at any
place for the Customer to dispose of the goods, whereupon the Company's
liability and responsibility in respect of the goods shall cease. If the
Customer does not dispose of the goods within 14 days after notice has been
dispatched to the Customer's address, e-mail address or fax number last known to
the Company, the Company is entitled (but not obliged) to sell by public auction
or private treaty or to dispose of the goods at the expense of the Customer. In
case the Customer does not receive the notice dispatched by the Company asking
the Customer to dispose of the goods, such shall not affect the Company's
aforesaid right to sell or dispose of the goods. The Customer is responsible for
payment of all the outstanding Services charges, and costs and expenses
(including but not limited to storage costs and demurrage charges) incurred
until the goods are disposed of or sold.
19.
Any claim against the Company must be in
writing and delivered to the Company within 14 days from the date of delivery of
the goods or the date the goods should have been delivered or the date of the
event giving rise to the claim, whichever is the earliest. Otherwise, the
Company shall be discharged of all liability whatsoever in respect of any
claim.
20.
The Company shall be discharged of all
liability whatsoever in respect of any claim unless suit is brought against the
Company in the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region within nine
months from the date of delivery of the goods or the date the goods should have
been delivered or the date of the event giving rise to the claim, whichever is
the earliest.
21.
The defences, exemptions and limitations
of liability provided for in these Conditions shall apply in any action against
the Company whether such action is founded in contract or in
tort.
22.
These Conditions and any contract with
the Company shall be governed by the laws of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region. Any
claim or dispute must be determined exclusively by the courts in the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region and no other court.