Shipping terms and conditions

Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Operations Center

US Freight Master – Global Logistics Policy Framework

Document Reference: Master Terms & Regulatory Operating Guidelines (v2026.4)

Effective Date: Immediate upon account creation, rate quote acceptance, or physical cargo tender

Welcome to the US Freight Master Legal & Compliance Center. This master agreement governs the contractual relationship, regulatory responsibilities, statutory liability allocations, and procedural guidelines between US Freight Master (“Carrier,” “Company,” “Forwarder,” or “NVOCC”) and the contracting party (“Shipper,” “Customer,” “Importer,” “Exporter,” or “Consignee”).

Master Terms & Conditions of Service

1. Scope of Service & International Legal Conventions

This agreement applies to all freight forwarding, non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) operations, motor carriage, air freight consolidation, warehousing, intermodal drayage, and customs brokerage services provided by US Freight Master. Depending on the mode of transport specified on the Bill of Lading, Sea Waybill, or Air Waybill, services are governed by mandatory international treaties and statutory frameworks: ocean freight by the Hague-Visby Rules or the US Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA, 46 U.S.C. § 30701); international air freight by the Montreal Convention of 1999; international road transit by the CMR Convention; and rail transport by COTIF/CIM provisions. Tendering cargo, issuing shipping instructions, or booking via our digital platform constitutes unconditional acceptance of these statutory legal regimes, overriding any conflicting purchase orders or customer-issued terms.

2. Commercial Trade Terms & Incoterms® 2020 Integration

All commercial rate quotations, risk handoffs, and freight charge allocations are interpreted strictly under the International Chamber of Commerce Incoterms® 2020 rules. The exact operational responsibilities of the Carrier, Shipper, and Consignee regarding export clearance, loading, main carriage, marine insurance, and import duty processing are determined by the agreed trade term (e.g., EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP, DDP) recorded on the official shipping manifest. US Freight Master executes transport relying solely on the declared Incoterm and is not liable for financial disputes, delay penalties, or secondary costs arising from conflicting sales contracts or misapplied trade terms between buyer and seller.

3. Statutory Limitations of Carrier Liability & SDR Caps

In accordance with international transportation law, the financial liability of US Freight Master for physical cargo loss, damage, structural destruction, or transit delay is strictly capped by legal limits and is not calculated based on the invoice value of the goods unless a higher declared value is submitted in writing prior to dispatch and applicable supplemental insurance surcharges are paid. Statutory caps apply as follows: 2 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per kilogram or 666.67 SDR per package/unit for sea freight under Hague-Visby/COGSA; 26 SDR per kilogram for air freight under the Montreal Convention; and 8.33 SDR per kilogram for road transport under CMR. Shippers seeking full commercial value indemnity must procure primary cargo insurance.

4. Mandatory Claims Deadlines & Strict Notice Preconditions

To preserve legal rights to file a claim for lost, damaged, or delayed cargo, strict statutory notice deadlines must be met by the Shipper or Consignee. Apparent cargo damage, container seal breach, or external packaging compromise must be noted directly on the Delivery Receipt / Proof of Delivery (POD) before signing off with the driver. Concealed damage must be formally submitted in writing within 3 calendar days for ocean freight, 7 calendar days for road freight, and 14 calendar days for air freight. Claims for delivery delays must be lodged within 21 calendar days of the scheduled delivery date. Failure to provide written notice within these mandatory timeframes permanently discharges US Freight Master from all legal liability.

5. Shipper Packaging Obligations & Container Weight Accuracy (SOLAS VGM)

The Shipper guarantees that all cargo tendered to US Freight Master is accurately described, securely packaged, palletized, labeled, and braced to withstand the ordinary physical stresses of multimodal transit. Pursuant to international maritime safety standards under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the Shipper is legally obligated to provide a certified Verified Gross Mass (VGM) for all packed ocean containers prior to designated terminal cut-off times. The Shipper agrees to fully indemnify and hold harmless US Freight Master against any cargo damage, vessel delays, equipment damage, or governmental fines resulting from inaccurate weight reporting or inadequate stowage.

6. Hazardous Cargo & Dangerous Goods Regulatory Compliance

The transportation of dangerous goods, hazardous substances, or regulated chemicals is strictly governed by the IMDG Code (Ocean), ICAO/IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (Air), and US DOT 49 CFR (Ground). The Shipper must fully declare, classify, package, mark, and supply complete Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and dangerous goods declarations prior to cargo tender. If undeclared, mislabeled, or leaking hazardous materials are detected in transit, US Freight Master reserves the right to store, unload, neutralize, or destroy the cargo without prior notice or financial liability, and the Shipper remains solely responsible for all cleanup costs, vessel damages, port fines, and legal liabilities.

7. Customs Brokerage, Import Compliance, & Storage Liabilities

Where contracted, US Freight Master acts strictly as a forwarding agent or customs broker; the Customer remains the official Importer of Record (IOR) or Exporter of Record (EOR). The Customer is legally responsible for providing true, complete, and accurate commercial invoices, HS tariff codes, origin documentation, and import licenses. All customs duties, tariffs, taxes, inspection fees, port storage charges, terminal demurrage, and container detention fees resulting from regulatory holds, customs audits, or delayed documentation are the financial liability of the Customer, regardless of original billing arrangements.

8. Trade Sanctions, Export Controls, & Statutory Force Majeure

US Freight Master operates in strict compliance with international trade control regulations, including rules enforced by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), EU Sanctions directives, and UN Security Council resolutions. The Carrier will immediately freeze and report any shipment involving prohibited destinations or restricted parties. Furthermore, US Freight Master is not liable for cargo loss, damage, or delivery delays caused by Force Majeure events beyond its operational control—including natural disasters, severe weather, war, piracy, civil unrest, labor strikes, port lockouts, quarantine restrictions, or canal blockages. During such events, the Carrier reserves the right to alter routes or discharge cargo at alternative safe locations at the Shipper’s expense.

9. Carrier General Maritime Lien & Asset Realization Rights

US Freight Master retains a general and continuing legal lien under maritime and commercial contract law over all cargo, shipping documents, bills of lading, and assets in its physical or constructive possession to secure payment for all outstanding balances owed by the Shipper or Consignee. This lien applies to unpaid freight charges, storage costs, customs duties, advanced fees, and legal expenses, including delinquent balances from prior unrelated shipments. If accounts remain unpaid following formal written demand, US Freight Master reserves the right to sell the held cargo at public or private auction in accordance with applicable statutory lien laws to liquidate the debt.

10. York-Antwerp General Average & International Dispute Jurisdiction

Ocean shipments managed by US Freight Master are subject to the York-Antwerp Rules governing General Average. If a vessel master sacrifices cargo or incurs extraordinary expenses to save a ship and its payload from a common maritime peril, all cargo owners must contribute proportionally to the loss. Cargo held under General Average will only be released after an approved General Average Bond, cash deposit, or legal guarantee is provided by the Shipper or Cargo Insurer. All legal disputes arising under these terms shall be governed exclusively by federal maritime law or the designated courts of Delaware, USA, to the exclusion of all other forums.

Customer-Facing Regulatory & Operational FAQ

Clear Answers to Complex Logistics & Legal Questions

1. Liability, Valuation & Cargo Coverage

  • How is standard carrier liability calculated if my cargo is lost or damaged?Standard carrier liability is governed by international transport conventions (like Hague-Visby for ocean and Montreal Convention for air) and is capped strictly by weight or package count—not your item’s invoice value. For ocean freight, liability is limited to 2 SDRs per kg (~$2.60 USD/kg) or 666.67 SDR per package. For air freight, liability is capped at 26 SDR per kg.
  • Why does standard carrier liability fall short for high-value cargo?Because legal caps reflect basic weight thresholds rather than commercial value, shipping high-tech equipment, machinery, or apparel under standard carrier liability leaves significant financial exposure.
  • How do I ensure my shipment is 100% covered for its true value?We strongly advise purchasing All-Risk Marine & Cargo Insurance through US Freight Master prior to pickup. Cargo insurance covers the full commercial invoice value of your goods plus freight costs from origin to destination against physical loss or damage from external causes.

2. Claims Management & Inspection Protocols

  • What steps must I take immediately upon cargo delivery if damage is visible?You must inspect external packaging and container seals before signing the driver’s delivery receipt. Any crushed boxes, broken seals, or wet packaging must be clearly documented in writing on the Proof of Delivery (POD) slip before the driver departs.
  • What are the deadlines for reporting hidden or concealed damage?Concealed damage (damage discovered only after uncrating or opening boxes) must be reported in writing within strict statutory windows:
    • Ocean Freight: Within 3 calendar days
    • Road Freight: Within 7 calendar days
    • Air Freight: Within 14 calendar days
  • What happens if I file a claim after these notice deadlines have passed?Under international shipping law, missing the mandatory notice window creates a legal presumption that the cargo was delivered in good condition. Late claims are legally time-barred and will be rejected.

3. Shipping Terms, Documentation & Customs Compliance

  • What are Incoterms® 2020, and why do they control my shipping costs?Incoterms® are standardized 3-letter trade codes (e.g., FOB, CIF, EXW, DDP) published by the International Chamber of Commerce. They explicitly define whether the buyer or seller pays for freight, customs clearance, port handling, and insurance at every leg of the journey.
  • Who is legally responsible for customs duties, taxes, and government clearance?Unless your shipping contract explicitly uses DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), the Importer of Record (Consignee) is financially and legally responsible for all duties, taxes, customs clearance fees, and regulatory inspections.
  • What is SOLAS VGM, and why is it mandatory for ocean containers?SOLAS VGM (Verified Gross Mass) is an international maritime law requiring shippers to provide an officially certified weight for every packed ocean container before it can be loaded onto a vessel. This prevents dangerous weight imbalances on container ships.

4. Special Cargo, Hazardous Goods & Regulatory Rules

  • Can US Freight Master transport dangerous goods or hazardous materials?Yes. However, all hazardous cargo (chemicals, lithium-ion batteries, compressed gases, flammables) must be declared in advance and accompanied by complete Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Dangerous Goods Declarations compliant with IMDG or IATA regulations.
  • What happens if hazardous materials are shipped without proper declaration?Undeclared hazardous materials present severe safety risks. International laws grant US Freight Master the right to halt, store, neutralize, or destroy undeclared dangerous goods at the shipper’s expense without financial compensation.

5. Demurrage, Storage Fees & Disruptions

  • What is the difference between Demurrage and Detention charges?
    • Demurrage: Fees assessed by port terminals when a container sits inside the terminal past its allowed “free days” waiting for customs clearance or pickup.
    • Detention: Fees assessed by steamship lines or trucking companies when container equipment is kept outside the port beyond the agreed turnaround time.
  • How can I avoid demurrage and detention fees on my imports?Ensure all commercial invoices, packing lists, and origin documents are submitted to our customs brokerage team at least 5–7 days prior to vessel arrival so customs clearance can be processed before cargo offloading.
  • What happens during severe weather, port strikes, or canal blockages (Force Majeure)?Events beyond human operational control are classified as Force Majeure. Carriers are legally exempt from delay claims caused by weather, war, strikes, or canal disruptions. During these events, US Freight Master works to reroute cargo and secure alternative transit routes at cost.

Need Direct Legal or Compliance Support?

Our legal, regulatory compliance, and cargo underwriting specialists are ready to assist with custom Master Service Agreements (MSAs), specialized project cargo insurance, or customs audits:

  • Global Compliance Department: info@usfreightmaster.com
  • Legal & Risk Management: info@usfreightmaster.com
  • Customer Support & Claims: info@usfreightmaster.com