Aim Group France UK ↔ FR ROAD FREIGHT

LEGAL

Terms of Business

These terms apply to all freight, customs, and ancillary services supplied by Aim Group France Ltd, registered in England and Wales.

1. Application

All services we supply are accepted subject to these Terms of Business, our written quotation, and the relevant standard conditions for the carriage in question (RHA Conditions of Carriage for UK domestic legs; CMR Convention for international road carriage; BIFA Standard Trading Conditions where forwarding services are supplied). In the event of conflict between documents, our written quotation prevails on commercial points; the carriage conditions prevail on liability and legal points.

2. Quotations

Quotations are valid for the period stated in the written quotation, normally fourteen days from issue unless otherwise specified. Quotations are based on the consignor's stated commodity, dimensions, weight, hazardous-goods classification, packaging condition, and operating conditions at the time of quoting; changes to any of these may cause the rate to change.

3. Booking

A booking is accepted on receipt by us of a written instruction from the consignor containing route, collection address, delivery address, commodity description, weight, dimensions, value, commodity codes, EORI numbers, and any special handling requirements. A booking file reference is issued and is the operative reference for the lifetime of the consignment.

4. The Consignor's Responsibilities

The consignor warrants that:

  • The goods are accurately described, properly packed, marked and labelled, and fit to withstand the carriage they are tendered for.
  • All hazardous goods are declared at booking, classified correctly, and accompanied by the required documentation.
  • All customs information (commodity codes, values, origin, EORI, commercial invoice content) is accurate and complete.
  • The consignor holds all necessary licences and authorisations for the goods, including any export licences.

5. Customs

Where we make customs declarations on the consignor's behalf, we act on the information supplied by the consignor and in line with the consignor's customs instructions. The consignor remains responsible to HMRC, DGDDI and other competent customs authorities for the accuracy of the declaration. Duty, VAT, and other import charges payable to customs authorities are the consignor's or consignee's responsibility, as agreed at booking.

6. Liability

For international road carriage between the UK and France, our liability is governed by the CMR Convention. CMR sets the carrier's maximum liability for loss or damage of goods at 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight short or damaged, and the carrier's liability for delay is limited to the carriage charges. For UK domestic legs, our liability is governed by the RHA Conditions of Carriage, currently set at £1,300 per tonne. Higher liability cover is available by prior written agreement and a declared value on the consignment note, against an additional premium.

We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or pure economic loss.

7. Claims

Loss or damage must be noted on the CMR or POD at the point of delivery and reported to us in writing within seven days of delivery. Non-delivery must be reported in writing within sixty days. Claims notified outside these periods may not be admissible. Full claims documentation (commercial invoice, packing list, photographs, loss report, repair quotes or salvage assessment) must be supplied to support any claim.

8. Charges and Payment

Charges are due in accordance with the agreed payment terms stated on the invoice, normally thirty days from invoice date. Interest may be charged on overdue accounts under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. Set-off, withholding, or counterclaim against our invoices is not permitted save where ordered by a competent court.

9. Force Majeure

We are not liable for failure to perform caused by events outside our reasonable control, including but not limited to industrial action, port closure, customs system failure, severe weather, declared emergencies, government acts, or interruptions to Channel crossing services.

10. Cancellation

Bookings may be cancelled by the consignor by giving written notice. A booking cancelled less than twenty-four hours before scheduled collection may be invoiced at our reasonable cancellation charge to cover committed costs (vehicle allocation, ferry booking, customs preparation). Cancellation charges are stated in the written quotation.

11. Lien and Pledge

We have a general lien and right of pledge over the goods and any documents relating to them, securing all sums due to us from the consignor on any account.

12. Subcontracting

We may subcontract any portion of the carriage to qualified subcontractors. Where we do so, the subcontractor performs as our sub-carrier under the same applicable carriage conditions.

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute, save where the CMR Convention reserves jurisdiction to a competent court of another contracting state.

14. Contact

For any matter arising under these Terms, contact us.