INTERFREIGHT HARMONIZED LOGISTICS INC
HARMONIZED CUSTOMS BROKERS, INC. DIV. OF INTERFREIGHT HARMONIZED LOGISTICS INC.
R.A.V. SERVICES INC. DIV. OF INTERFREIGHT HARMONIZED LOGISTICS INC.
LICENSED CUSTOMS HOUSE BROKERS FREIGHT FORWARDERS
221 SHERIDAN BLVD., INWOOD, NY 11096
IMPORT DEPT. – TEL: (516) 371-6980 FAX: (516) 371-6915
EXPORT DEPT. –TEL: (516) 371-0775 FAX: (516) 371-6880
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
These terms and conditions of service constitute a legally binding contract between the “Company” and
the “Customer”. In the event the Company renders services and issues a document containing Terms and
Conditions governing such services, the Terms and Conditions set forth in such order document(s) shall
govern those services
1. Definitions
(a) “Company” shall mean Interfreight Harmonized Logistics Inc., Harmonized Custom Brokers Inc., RAV Services Inc., its subsidiaries, related companies, agents, and/or representatives.
(b) “Customer” shall mean the person for which the Company is rendering service, as well as its principals, agents, and/or representatives, including, but not limited to, shippers, importers, exporters, carriers, secured parties, warehousemen, buyers and/or sellers, shippers’ agents, insurers and underwriters, break-bulk agents, consignees, etc. It is the responsibility of the Customer to provide notice and copies of these terms and conditions of service to all such agents or representatives.
(c) “Documentation” shall mean all information received directly or indirectly from Customer, whether in paper or electronic form.
(d) “Ocean Transportation Intermediaries” (“OTI”) shall include an “ocean freight forwarder” and a “non-vessel operating carrier.”
(e) “Third parties” shall include, but not be limited to, carriers, truckmen, cartmen, lightermen, forwarders, OTIs, customs brokers, agents, warehousemen, and others to which the goods are entrusted for transportation, cartage, handling, and/or delivery and/or storage or otherwise.
2. Company As Agent
The Company acts as the “agent” of the Customer for the purpose of performing duties in connection with the entry and release of goods, post-entry services, the securing of export licenses, the filling of export and security documentation on behalf of the Customer, and other dealings with Government Agencies, or for arranging for transportation services, both domestically and internationally, or other logistics services in any capacity other than as a carrier.
3. Limitations of Action
(a) Unless subject to a specific statute or international convention, all claims against the Company for a potential or actual loss must be made in writing and received by the Company within five (5) days of the event giving rise to the claim; the failure to give the Company timely notice shall be a complete defense to any suit or action commenced by the Customer.
(b) All suits against the company must be filed and properly served on the Company as follows:
- (i) For claims arising out of ocean transportation, within one (1) year from the date of the loss;
- (ii) For claims arising out of air transportation, within two (2) years from the date of loss;
- (iii) For claims arising out of preparation and/or submission of an import entry(s), within seventy-five (75) days from the date of liquidation of the entry(s);
- (iv) For any and all other claims of any other type, within one (1) year from the date of the loss or damage.
4. No Liability for the Selection or Services of Third Parties and/or Routes
Unless services are performed by persons or firms engaged pursuant to express written instructions from the Customer, the Company shall use reasonable care in the selection of third parties, or in selecting the means, route, and procedure to be followed in the handling, transportation, clearance, and delivery of the shipment. Advice by the Company that a particular person or a firm has been selected to render services with respect to the goods shall not be construed to mean that the Company warrants or represents that such person or firm will render such services, nor does Company assume responsibility or liability for any actions(s) and/or inaction(s) of such third parties and/or its agents, and shall not be liable for any delay or loss of any kind, which occurs while a shipment is in the custody or control of a third party or the agent of a third party.
5. Quotations Not Binding
Quotations as to fees, rates of duty, freight charges, insurance premiums, or other charges given by the Company to the Customer are for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice; no quotation shall be binding upon the Company unless the Company in writing agrees to undertake the handling or transportation of the shipment at a specific rate or amount set forth in the quotation and payment arrangements are agreed upon between the Company and Customer.
6. Reliance on Information Furnished
(a) Customer acknowledges that it is required to review all documents and declarations prepared and/or filed with U.S. Customs & Border Protection, other Government Agencies, and/or third parties, and will immediately advise the Company of any errors, discrepancies, incorrect statements, or omissions on any declaration or other submission filed on Customer’s behalf.
(b) In preparing and submitting customs entries, export declarations, applications, security filings, documentation delivery orders, and/or other required data, the Company relies on the correctness of all documentation, whether in written or electronic format, and all information furnished by Customer; Customer shall use reasonable care to ensure the correctness of all such information and shall indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any and all claims asserted and/or liability or losses suffered by reason of the Customer’s failure to disclose information or any incorrect, incomplete, or false statement by the Customer or its agent, representative, or contractor upon which the Company reasonably relied.
(c) Customer acknowledges that it is required to provide verified weights obtained on
calibrated, certified equipment of all cargo that is to be tendered to steamship lines and
represents that Company is entitled to rely on the accuracy of such weights and to
counter-sign or endorse it as the agent of Customer in order to provide the certified
weight to the steamship lines. The Customer agrees that it shall indemnify and hold the
Company harmless from any and all claims, losses, penalties, or other costs resulting
from any incorrect or questionable statements of the weight provided by the Customer or
its agent or contractor on which the Company relies.
(d) Customer acknowledges that it is required to advise Company in advance of its
intention to tender hazardous material goods and that it will otherwise comply with all
federal and international hazardous materials regulations.
7. Declaring Higher Value to Third Parties
Third parties to whom the goods are entrusted may limit liability for loss or damage; the Company will request excess valuation coverage only upon specific written instructions from the Customer, who must agree to pay any charges therefore; in the absence of written instructions or the refusal of the third party to agree to a higher declared value, at the Company’s discretion, the goods may be tendered to the third party, subject to the terms of the third party’s limitations of liability and/or terms and conditions of service.
8. Insurance
Unless requested to do so in writing and confirmed to Customer in writing, Company is under no obligation to procure insurance on Customer’s behalf; in all cases, Customer shall pay all premiums and costs in connection with procuring requested insurance.
9. Disclaimers; Limitation of Liability
(a) Except as specifically set forth in these terms and conditions, Company makes no express or implied warranties in connection with its services.
(b) Customer may obtain insurance coverage for cargo loss or damage, up to the actual declared value of the shipment or transaction, by requesting such coverage and agreeing to additional liability coverage, up to the actual or declared value of the shipment or transaction, by requesting such coverage and agreeing to make payment, therefore, which request must be confirmed in writing by the Company prior to rendering services for the covered transaction(s).
(c) In all events, the Company’s liability shall be limited to the following:
- (i) Where the claim arises from activities other than those relating to customs business, $50.00 per shipment or transaction, or
- (ii) Where the claim arises from activities relating to “Customs business” $50.00 per entry or the amount of brokerage fees paid to the Company for the entry, whichever is less;
(d) In no event shall Company be liable or responsible for consequential, indirect, incidental, statutory, or punitive damages, even if it has been put on notice of the possibility of such damages or the acts of third parties.
10. Advancing Money
All charges must be paid by Customer in advance unless the Company agrees in writing to extend credit to the customer; the granting of credit to a Customer in connection with a particular transaction shall not be considered a waiver of this provision by the Company.
11. Indemnification/Hold Harmless
The Customer agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold the Company harmless from any claims and/or liability, fines, penalties, and/or attorneys’ fees arising from the importation or exportation of Customer’s merchandise and/or any conduct of the Customer, including but not limited to the inaccuracy of entry, export, or security data supplied by Customer or its agents or representative, which violates any Federal, State, and/or other laws.
12. C.O.D. or Cash Collect Shipments
Company shall use reasonable care regarding written instructions relating to “Cash/Collect on Delivery (C.O.D.)” shipments, bank drafts, cashier’s and/or certified checks, letter(s) of credit, and other similar payment documents and/or instructions regarding the collection of monies but shall not have liability if the bank or consignee refuses to pay for the shipment.
13. Cost of Collection
In any dispute involving monies owed to Company, the Company shall be entitled to all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney’s fees and interest at 18% per annum or the highest rate allowed by law, whichever is less unless a lower amount is agreed to by the Company.
14. General Lien and Right to Sell Customer’s Property
(a) Company shall have a general and continuing lien on any and all property of Customer coming into Company’s actual or constructive possession or control or en route, which lien shall survive delivery, for all charges, expenses, or advances owed to Company with regard to the shipment on which the lien is claimed, a prior shipment(s) and/or both. Customs duties, transportation charges, and related payments advanced by the Company shall be deemed paid in trust on behalf of the Customs and treated as pass-through payments made on behalf of the Customer for which the Company is acting as a mere conduit.
(b) Company shall provide written notice to Customer of its intent to exercise such lien, the exact amount of monies due and owing, as well as any ongoing storage or other charges; Customer shall notify all parties having an interest in its shipment(s) of Company’s rights and/or the exercise of such lien.
(c) Unless, within thirty days of receiving notice of lien, Customer posts cash of letter
of credit at sight, or, if the amount due is in dispute, an acceptable bond equal to 110% of
the value of the total amount due, in favor of Company, guaranteeing payment of the
monies owed, plus all storage charges accrued or to be accrued, Company shall have
rights to sell such shipment(s) at public or private sale or an auction and any net proceeds
remaining thereafter shall be refunded to Customer.
15. No Duty To Maintain Records For Customer
Customer acknowledges that pursuant to Sections 508 and 509 of the Tariff Act, as amended, (19 USC 1508 and 1509) it has the duty and is solely liable for maintaining all records required under Customs and or other Laws and Regulations of the United States; unless otherwise agreed to in writing, the Company shall only keep such records that it is required to maintain by Statute(s) and/or Regulation(s), but not act as a “record keeper” or “recordkeeping agent” for Customers.
16. Obtaining Binding Rulings, Filing Protests, etc.
Unless requested by a Customer in writing and agreed to by Company in writing, Company shall be under no obligation to undertake any pre- or post-Customs release action, including, but not limited to, obtaining binding rulings, advising of liquidations, filing of petition(s) and/or protests, etc.
17. No Duty To Provide Licensing Authority
Unless requested by Customer in writing and agreed to by the Company in writing, Company shall not be responsible for determining licensing authority or obtaining any license or other authority pertaining to the export from or import into the United States.
18. Preparation and Issuance of Bills of Lading
Where Company prepares and/or issues a bill of lading, Company shall be under no obligation to specify thereon the number of pieces, packages and/or cartons, etc., unless specifically requested to do so in writing by Customer or its agent and Customer agrees to pay for the same. Company shall rely upon and use the cargo weight supplied by Customer.
19. No Modification or Amendment Unless Written
These terms and conditions of service may only be modified, altered, or amended in writing signed by both the Customer and Company; any attempt to unilaterally modify, alter, or amend shall be null and void.
20. Compensation of Company
The compensation of the Company for its services shall be included with and is in
addition to the rates and charges of all carriers and other agencies selected by the
Company to transport and deal with the goods and such compensation shall be exclusive
of any brokerage, commissions, dividends, or other revenue received by the Company
from carriers, insurers and other in connection with the shipment. On ocean exports, upon
request, the Company shall provide a detailed breakout of the components of all charges
assessed and a true copy of each pertinent document relating to these charges. In any
referral for collection or action against the Customer for monies due to the Company, upon recovery by the Company, the Customer shall pay the expenses of collection and/or
litigation, including a reasonable attorney fee.
21. Force Majeure
Company shall not be liable for losses, damages, delays, wrongful or missed deliveries
or nonperformance, in whole or in part, of its responsibilities under the Agreement,
resulting from circumstances beyond the control of either Company or its sub contractors, including but not limited to: (i) acts of God, including flood, earthquake,
storm, hurricane, power failure, epidemic or other severe health crisis, or other natural
disasters; (ii) war, hijacking, robbery, theft or terrorist activities; (iii) incidents or
deteriorations to means of transportation; (iv) embargos; (v) civil commotions or riots;
(vi) defects, nature or inherent vice of the goods; (vii) acts, breaches of contract or
omissions by Customer, Shipper, Consignee or anyone else who may have an interest in
the shipment; (viii) acts by any government or any agency or subdivision thereof,
including denial or cancellation of any import/export or other necessary licenses; or
(ix)strikes, lockouts or other labor conflicts. In such event, Company reserves the right to
amend any tariff or negotiated freight or logistic rates, on one day’s notice, as necessary
to provide the requested service
22. Severability
In the event, any Paragraph(s) and/or portion(s) hereof is found to be invalid and/or
unenforceable, then in such event the remainder hereof shall remain in Full Force and
effect. Company’s decision to waive any provision herein, either by conduct or
otherwise, shall not be deemed to be a further or continuing waiver of such provision or
to do otherwise waive or invalidate any other provision herein.
23. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue
These terms and conditions of service and the relationship of the parties shall be
construed according to the laws of the State of New York without giving consideration to
principles of conflicts of law. Customer and Company
(a) irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court and the
States courts of New York;
(b) irrevocably consent to venue in such courts; and (b) agree that any action relating to the service performed by Company shall only be
brought in said courts.
(c) irrevocably consent to the exercise of in personam jurisdiction by said courts over it, and
(d) further agree that any action to enforce a judgment may be instated in any
jurisdiction
I have received, read, and accept the foregoing Terms and Conditions of Service.