Terms And Conditions
These terms & conditions relates to the website http://www.ShipLowCost.com (hereinafter referred to as the “website”) the services (which may include sale of goods if applicable) provided by Express Trailers Limited, the owner of the Site. Express Trailers Limited a company registered in Malta with company registration number C 4278 and whose registered office address is at Velbro House, Qormi Road, Luqa, LQA9040.
It is important to read the following terms and conditions before registering your shipment on the ShipLowCost website. When registering you denote your acceptance to these terms and conditions. ShipLowCost can modify these terms and conditions from time to time without notice. When you are not in agreement with the terms and conditions set out in this text please refrain from registering your shipment.
ShipLowCost is engaged in the international forwarding of goods. Any activities of ShipLowCost in the course of business are undertaken subject to these Conditions.
CONTENTS OF THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR SHIPLOWCOST SERVICE
· Applicable legislation
· Right of Inspection
· Rates
· Customs fees & charges
· Clearance Fees
· Insurance
· Responsibility for loss or damage
· Registration of goods and fees paid
· Deliveries attempted two times without extra charge
· Special Handling of undeliverable packages
· Cancellation policy
· Indemnity
· No Personal Liability of ShipLowCost Employees
· Interruption of service
· Data protection
· Entire agreement
· Governing Law
If any legislation is compulsorily applicable to any business undertaken, these Conditions shall, as regards such business, be read as subject to such legislation and nothing in these Conditions shall be construed as a surrender by ShipLowCost of any of its rights or immunities or as an increase of any of its responsibilities or liabilities under such legislation and if any part of these Conditions be repugnant to such legislation to any extent such part shall as regards such business be overridden to that extent and no further.
ShipLowCost shall be entitled to establish the route and other issues relating to the carriage and delivery of the cargo and is authorised to place the goods on any truck, ship, aeroplane or other means of transport as it may, in its discretion, determine. Notwithstanding anything stated in correspondence or other documents of carriage as to the route or delivery date, no warranties express or otherwise are given by ShipLowCost in relation to the delivery or route to be followed. ShipLowCost reserves to itself a reasonable liberty as to the means, route and procedure to be followed in the handling, storage and transportation of goods. Any given transit time shown on the website is just an indication based on the average transit time of a number of trips and in no way can this be taken as a guarantee or a definitive time of arrival. Transit time will depend on a number of factors which cannot always be forecasted including but not limited to weather, public holidays in transit countries, sudden change of schedules by vessel, airline operators and third party service providers. ShiplowCost will do its utmost to keep up with given transit times but cannot be held liable for delays or any other repercussions resulting from a delayed shipment.
ShipLowCost shall be entitled to perform any of its obligations herein by itself or by its parent, subsidiary, associated Companies and third parties.
Without prejudice to any other clause, the Company shall act diligently when entering into any contract or sub-contract of carriage with third parties for the carriage of the Customer’s goods.
In the absence of agreement to the contrary, any Contract to which these Conditions apply is made by the Company on its own behalf and also as Agent for and on behalf of any such parent, subsidiary, associated Company and third parties, and any such Company shall be entitled to the benefit of these Conditions
Without prejudice to ShipLowCost’s right to a special lien or privilege under the provisions of paragraph (c) of section 2009 of the Civil Code and under 308 of the Commercial Code, ShipLowCost shall enjoy a pledge over all the Customer’s and/or Owner’s goods and documents relating to goods in its possession, custody or control for all sums due to it at any time by the Customer and/or Owner of the goods in terms of law. ShipLowCost shall enjoy a right of retention over the said goods and documents relating to goods as security for all sums due to it at any time by the Customer and/or Owner. ShipLowCost may, at any time, demand the sale of the things pledged if such cannot be preserved without deterioration.
All packages covered under a single ShipLowCost registration shall be considered a single shipment. Shipments coming from different suppliers or from the same supplier but are delivered at our hub on a different date will be considered as a new shipment and subsequently a unique order shall be made for each single consignment being delivered.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to the tender of the shipment, the service to be provided by ShipLowCost is limited to receiving, transportation and delivery of the shipment up to kerbside. The shipper acknowledges that shipments will be consolidated with those of other shippers for transport and that ShipLowCost may not monitor the inbound and outbound movement of individual shipments at all handling depots.
Goods Handled and Restrictions on the Service
ShipLowCost offers the transportation of general commodities, as usually defined, subject to the following restrictions:
No service shall be rendered in the transportation of any packages or articles with a declared value in excess of €10000 (ten thousand Euros or equivalent) unless ShipLowCost are consulted and an acceptance in writing is sent to the customer asking for such service by a ShipLowCost representative.
For the IMPORT of goods no service shall be rendered in the transportation of any single package or article which is over 3.5 meters in length or exceed a gross weight of 1500kgs unless agreed for in writing by a ShipLowCost representative prior to the shipment being delivered to any of the warehouse delivery points as supplied by ShipLowCost.
Shipments with a global volume of more than 1cbm or weighing more than 300kgs (whichever is the greatest) are placed for self pick-up at ShipLowCost premises in Malta on their arrival. Nevertheless, a delivery service can be offered and chosen upon registering the goods with an additional fee being charged for such service by ShipLowCost.
It is the client's responsibility to inform the supplier with the correct order number and the unique ShipLowCost Identification Number. ShipLowCost shall not be held liable for any goods marked incorrectly.
For the EXPORT of goods a number of size and weight restrictions exists depending on the service being used which is automatically chosen by the shipping calculator once the dimensions and weight of a package are entered. A shipment to mainland Europe using ‘Standard’ or ‘Economy’ service which is normally carried by truck would permit a much greater size and weight tolerance than a shipment to another continent which bigger part of the journey is accomplished using air freight as the main mode of transport.
Rates for local deliveries or collections will be provided instantly upon registering the shipment on our website and are calculated according to the weight and volume of the goods. Deliveries or collections are only provided up to / from kerbside and to places accessible for vans / trucks carrying the goods.
It is the responsibility of the shipper to ensure that all goods have been properly and sufficiently prepared, packed, stowed, labelled and/or marked and that the preparation, packing, stowage, labeling and markings are appropriate to any operations or transactions affecting the goods and the characteristics of the goods. Additional to the above, for all export bound shipments a label for every package being sent will be provided automatically by the website at the end of the shipment registration. The label/s are to be printed by the exporter of the goods (unless a request has been made on the order for ShipLowCost to print which service is possible for a small charge) and affixed on the package/s prior to the collection at the client’s premises or drop off at our warehouse. In addition to the above, for the transportation of goods to non-European Member states we would require a separate plastic folder to be affixed with the first package which has to include 5 original copies of a commercial invoice in the case of a business transaction or a proforma invoice in the case of non-commercial shipments including personal effects and gifts.
No service shall be rendered in the transportation of packages containing unpacked parcels, sheet metal, demijohns, boats, farm machinery, motor vehicles, uncrated motorcycles, goods difficult to stack or handle, crates or machinery which cannot be palletised and any prohibited article as defined by any Maltese or International public authorities depending on the final destination of the goods, including, but not limited to, articles of unusual value such as (coins, currency, postage stamps, negotiable instruments, paintings, antique furniture, non-reproducible items and documents), firearms, live ammunition, precious metals, precious stones, ivory, industrial diamonds, letter of credit shipments, live animals, pornographic material, medical waste or materials for medical and/or biological research, drugs prohibited by law and dangerous goods. Under applicable law, certain goods may only be transported under prescribed conditions. Perishable commodities or commodities requiring protection from heat or cold will be accepted for transportation solely at the shipper’s risk for any damage arising from the transportation.
Right of Inspection
ShipLowCost and its agents or subcontractors reserves the right, but is not required, to open and inspect any package tendered to it for transportation. Except following instructions previously received in writing and accepted by ShipLowCost, ShipLowCost will not accept or deal with goods of a dangerous or damaging nature, nor with goods likely to harbour or encourage vermin or other pests, nor with goods liable to taint or affect other goods nor with goods which are improperly or insecurely packed or wrapped. If such goods are accepted pursuant to a special arrangement and then in the opinion of ShipLowCost they constitute a risk to other goods, property, life or health, ShipLowCost shall where reasonably practicable contact the Customer/Owner of the goods to seek alternative arrangements, but reserves the right at the expense of the Customer/Owner of the goods to remove or otherwise deal with the goods itself and by doing so shall not be liable for any damages or losses arising from such action. In addition, ShipLowCost reserves the right either to refuse to provide service for any package, or to provide alternative service arrangements, when, among other reasons, ShipLowCost, in its sole discretion, deems that it is unsafe or economically or operationally impracticable to provide such a service. ShipLowCost reserves the right to refuse to transport any item or goods from any of its receiving depots irrelevant if the customer has already paid a fee in respect of the service. Where it does so ShipLowCost will refund the monies that the individual or company has paid upon registering the goods. Where ShipLowCost rejects an order pursuant to this clause and the goods have already or are subsequently delivered to any of its receiving depots then ShipLowCost will notify the customer that the goods shall be held at the depot for 15 days starting from the notification date in which the customer or shipper shall arrange the re-collection of the goods. When such time has elapsed, ShipLowCost shall be entitled in its absolute discretion to arrange for the collection of the Goods by the shipper or destroy or sell the goods without further liability to the customer in respect of the goods or their value and may off-set any proceeds against any associated administrative and other costs.
Rates
The effective rates are the ShipLowCost Rates as demonstrated in the ShipLowCost calculator for the service selected and the measurements and weight provided by the customer and are in effect at the time of shipping, plus any additional charges or rates for nonstandard service, additional or nonstandard usage, and any other additional charges referenced in the effective ShipLowCost Rate and Shipment registration page, or those applicable additional rates set out in any customized contracts. To determine the amount of any charge for ShipLowCost service, consult the ShipLowCost calculator, available at ShipLowCost.com
Customs fees and charges
Goods imported from non-EU countries such as the United Kingdom, needs to undergo a Customs clearance procedure and are subject to a physical control by the Customs authority. The Customs clearance process happens in both the departing country (known as Export clearance) and as well in the receiving country (Import clearance). By making use of ShipLowCost services for the shipment of goods from the UK, it is being understood that you are accepting the terms and conditions of the service in their entirety and this includes your acceptance for ShipLowCost / Express Trailers Ltd to act under Direct Representation in your name and on your account. Under the Direct Representation context, ShipLowCost / Express Trailers Ltd would apply for clearance with Customs in the name of the consignee and are therewith neither the applicant nor the owner in the Customs clearance procedure. This means that ShipLowCost / Express Trailers Ltd carries no personal liability in the Customs clearance process but is only subject to civil law.
You will find a thorough straight to the point explanation on WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING GOODS ONLINE THAT ARE COMING FROM NON-EU COUNTRIES by clicking on this link.
Duties and VAT may be applicable and vary depending on the origin of the goods, commodity type and value declared. You may get an idea of the applicable tariff by visiting the EU's tariff consultation database on this link.
During the checkout process you will be requested to declare item content and to upload a copy of the supplier’s invoice. This information will be used for both the export Customs clearance and again for the import clearance upon arrival of the goods in Malta.
Clearance Fees
Export clearance fee for goods departing from UK to MALTA is only charged for goods exceeding the value of £873 and is charged during the booking process subject to correct declaration of value.
Import clearance fee for goods arriving in MALTA from UK is charged additionally upon the arrival of goods in Malta. The fee is of €18 (incl. VAT) for consignments having a total value between €22 up to €750 or a fee of €24 (incl. VAT) for consignments with a total value over €750.
Over 3 Harmonised System (HS) Codes an additional fee of €1.75 (incl. VAT) is charged per additional HS code for both Export and the Import Custom clearance process, respectively. This means that a shipment containing 4 or more different commodities that are classified under different HS Codes will be subject to this fee both for departure and for arrival. These fees will be charged to the receiver in Malta together with the Import clearance fee and any applicable VAT or duties upon arrival of the goods in Malta.
Following the declaration to Customs, an email with a link will be sent to you for the payment of VAT and any applicable duties as well as the clearance processing fee.
For Commercial transactions, a detailed invoice is needed to allow for a smooth export and import clearance process and thereby a quicker transit time can be achieved. In the absence of a detailed invoice delays or a total paralysis of the shipping process is to be expected. The commercial invoice which is normally prepared by the supplier of the goods should include the following important details;
• Name and address of seller with EORI number
• Name and address of buyer with a EORI number
• Number of packages / pallets
• Type of package (pallet / box / drum / etc)
• Gross weight
• Description of the goods
• Origin country of each product
• Commodity code
• Value of goods for each item
• Net weight for each item
• Total price for the goods listed on the invoice
• Incoterms
• Invoice number and date
It is therefore important that your VAT number is also EORI registered. Please click on this link to check whether your VAT number is already registered. If not, please click on here to register.
The shipping rates are exclusive of all local and international customs duties, value added taxes, levies, fees, imposts, deposits, or outlays incurred in respect of carriage of the Customer’s goods, which shall be the sole responsibility of the consignee. ShipLowCost shall not be under any obligation to pay customs duties, fees and/or applicable taxes on behalf of the Customer unless a special request is made in writing to support@shiplowcost.com and confirmed by ShipLowCost. In the affirmative any monies due to a Customs authority shall be advanced by the customer to ShipLowCost by means of a bank transfer or online payment including any applicable service fee. ShipLowCost cannot be held liable for any goods forfeited by Customs in the event that the relative duties payable to the latter are not paid in time.
No insurance will be provided automatically by ShipLowCost except upon request by the customer who will be instructed to tick or untick the insurance box during the registration process of the shipment at his/her discretion. All insurances effected by ShipLowCost are subject to the usual exceptions and conditions of the policies of the insurance Company or Underwriters taking the risk. Copy of which can be viewed by clicking here
The rate for insurance is 1% on the value of the goods being shipped with which the freight cost shall be added by the customer to the total value declared in the appropriate field.. A minimum charge of €3.00 per shipment applies.
Responsibility For Loss or Damage
The liability of ShipLowCost is governed by the various international transport conventions depending on the mode of transport under which the delivery of the goods is undertaken.
For goods transported by road the liability of ShipLowCost and/or any third party providers acting on its behalf will be limited according to the CMR Conditions which regulate the transport liability for goods shipped by the road network. Copy of which can be viewed by clicking here
For goods transported by air freight, the liability of ShipLowCost and/or any third party acting on its behalf will be limited according to the Montreal Convention which governs the part of the carriage that is carried by air. Copy of which can be viewed by clicking here
Registration of goods and fees paid
The Customer shall be responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the particulars inserted in the registration of a shipment and for ensuring that all packages set out adequate contact details for the shipper and receiver of the package and their contents properly described and classified.
The customer recognises that the calculation of the fees paid by the customer at the time of booking the shipment is based, in part, on information furnished to ShipLowCost by the customer and shall not in any event be deemed to be a contractual commitment on the part of ShipLowCost as to the eventual charges payable in respect of the services which shall be calculated in accordance with the rates.
Where, upon receipt of the Goods at our depot, it transpires that any additional fees are payable by the customer in respect of the services, ShipLowCost will send a notification of this to the customer at the email address provided by the customer at the time of booking the shipment and may hold the goods at the respective depot until the balance due is paid.
Without prejudice to the generality of the clause above, if the customer has submitted the wrong information with regard to the size and weight of the package containing the goods which are to be transported, and has therefore paid the wrong fee for the services, ShipLowCost will:
if the package containing the Goods is smaller than the customer indicated at the time of placing the order, deliver the goods and refund the customer (to the card or account used by the customer) the difference between the fee paid by the customer at the time of placing the order and the fee payable in accordance with the rates;
if the package containing the goods is bigger than the customer indicated at the time of placing the order, retain the goods and notify the customer of the difference payable between the fee paid by the customer at the time of placing the order and the correct fee payable in accordance with the rates. An administration charge of €3.00 or 10% (whichever is the greatest) on the freight discrepancy will be added to the costs payable by the customer. The customer will be contacted on email (as supplied by the customer on time of registering the shipment) by a ShipLowCost representative in order to find and agree a suitable way for paying the difference, after which the delivery will take place.
In the case where the dimensions and weight of the package is unknown by the customer, a booking should still be made on the ShipLowCost website. The payment requested at time of booking will be the minimum shipping charge plus a small fee of €1.50 for the ‘measure my parcel service.’ Once the goods arrive in Malta, same will be measured by ShipLowCost and communicated to the customer including any additional amount to be paid before the final delivery of the goods can be effected.
Deliveries Attempted Two Times Without Extra Charge
Where applicable, if ShipLowCost is unable to complete delivery of a shipment, a notice will be left at the consignee’s address stating that delivery has been attempted. Thereafter, the customer is responsible for picking up the shipment at ShipLowCost premises or to re-arrange the delivery by contacting the customer support department on support@ShipLowCost.com at an additional cost which will be communicated by the customer support representative on request.
Delivery times are between Monday to Friday from 07.30hrs to 12.00hrs for morning deliveries and 13.00hrs to 16.30hrs for afternoon deliveries. Emails sent to ShipLowCost requesting timed deliveries or requesting office staff or drivers to call prior to delivery taking place will not be automatically considered. For timed deliveries or deliveries inside premises needing additional personnel or unloading equipment a special request has to be made on support@ShipLowCost.com and confirmed by ShipLowCost at an additional cost which will be communicated by the customer support representative upon request.
ShipLowCost may deliver a shipment to the consignee or the consignee’s actual or apparent agent or representative, to the address or location specified in the ShipLowCost shipping system (as registered upon booking of the shipment by the customer), to any person present at the address or location specified in the ShipLowCost shipping system, to a reasonable alternate address or location, in accordance with trade custom or usage, pursuant to ShipLowCosts’s driver release procedures. ShipLowCost does not limit delivery of a package or shipment to a person specified as the consignee. ShipLowCost may use an electronic device to obtain proof of delivery and the shipper agrees that it will not object to ShipLowCost relying on a printed copy of this as evidence merely on the grounds that the information concerned is obtained and stored in electronic form.
Special Handling of Undeliverable Packages
Shipments refused by the consignee, or which for any other reason cannot be delivered, will be held for 30 days, and ShipLowCost will attempt to contact the Customer for further instructions. The Customer will be responsible for the payment of all charges, including, but not limited to, forwarding, disposal, or return transportation charges, as well as storage costs.
Cancellation Policy
Orders that are cancelled prior to being delivered to our international hubs will be subject to a 5% cancellation fee with a minimum charge of €5 (five euros)
Order may not be cancelled once the shipment has left the hub and is in transit. In such case no refund will be applicable.
Indemnity
Should the Customer, otherwise than under special arrangements previously made in writing as indicated above, deliver to ShipLowCost or cause ShipLowCost to deal with or handle goods of a dangerous or damaging nature or goods likely to harbour or encourage vermin or other pests, or goods liable to taint or affect other goods, he shall be liable for all loss or damage arising in connection with such goods and shall indemnify ShipLowCost against all penalties, claims, damages, costs and expenses whatsoever arising in connection therewith, and the goods may be dealt with in such manner as ShipLowCost or any other person in whose custody they may be at any relevant time shall think fit.
No Personal Liability of ShipLowCost’s Employees etc.
The Customer undertakes that no claim shall be made against any Director, Servant or Employee of ShipLowCost which imposes or attempts to impose upon them any liability in connection with any services which are the subject of these Conditions and if any such claim should nevertheless be made to indemnify ShipLowCost against all consequences thereof.
In any case, any Director, Servant or Employee of ShipLowCost shall be entitled to the same defences and limitations of liability granted to ShipLowCost hereunder or under any applicable legislation.
The Customer shall save harmless and keep ShipLowCost indemnified from and against:-
(A) All liability, loss, damage, costs and expenses whatsoever (including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, all duties, taxes, imposts, levies, deposits and outlays of whatsoever nature levied by any authority in relation to the goods) arising out of ShipLowCost acting in accordance with the Customer's instructions or arising from any breach by the Customer of any Warranty contained in these Conditions or from the negligence of the Customer, and
(B) Without derogation from Sub-Clause (A) above, any liability assumed or incurred by the Company when by reason of carrying out the Customer's instructions ShipLowCost has reasonably become liable or may become liable to any other party, and
(C) All claims, costs and demands whatsoever and by whomsoever made or preferred in excess of the liability of ShipLowCost under the terms of these Terms & Conditions regardless whether such claims, costs and demands arise from or in connection with the negligence or breach of duty of ShipLowCost its Servants, Sub-Contractors or Agents.
Interruption of Service
ShipLowCost shall not be liable for any interruption of service including, but not limited to, the following: the unavailability or refusal of a person to accept delivery of the shipment; acts of God; acts of public authorities acting with actual or apparent authority; acts or omissions of customs or similar authorities; insufficient information provided by a customer; the application of security regulations imposed by the government or otherwise applicable to the delivery location; a government agency hold; riots; strikes or other labour disputes; civil unrest; disruptions of any kind in ground transportation networks; and natural disasters.
Data Protection
The customer agrees that ShipLowCost and other companies in the ShipLowCost network, may use any data provided by the shipper to ShipLowCost for management analysis and monitoring, administration of customer accounts and the advertising of services and products provided by ShipLowCost. The customer may have certain rights under the law to have access to, rectify, and object to the use for direct marketing of, data held by ShipLowCost about it. For more information about how we handle your data please check out our Master Privacy Policy by hitting the Disclaimer button on the homepage of our website.
Entire Agreement
All shipments are subject to the terms and conditions contained herein and set out on the ShipLowCost website.
Governing Law
These terms and any contract concluded which incorporates these terms shall in all respects be governed by the laws of Malta.