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Clause
Paramount:
This Bill of Lading shall have effect subject to the provisions
of hte Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of the United States 46 U.S.C.
section 1300-1315 (hereafter "COGSA".)
The provisions stated in the COGSA (except as may be otherwise
specifically provided herein) shall govern before the goods are
loaded on and after they are discharged from the ship throughout
the entire time the goods are in the custody of the carrier.
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Definitions:
2.1 "Ship" means the vessel name in this Bill of Lading,
or any conveyance owned, chartered, or operated by Carrier or
used by Carrier for the performance of this contract.
2.2 "Carrier" means International Freight Transport,
Inc., or whose behalf this Bill of Lading has been signed.
2.3 "Merchant" includes the Shipper, the Consignor,
the Consignee, the Holder of this Bill of Lading and any person
having a present or future interest in the Goords or any person
acting on behalf of any of the above-mentioned persons.
2.4 "Container" includes any container, trailer, transportable
tank, lift van, flat, pallet, or any similar article of transport
used to consolidate goods.
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Subcontracting:
3.1
Carrier shall be entitled to subcontract on any terms the whole
or any part of the handling, storage, or carriage of the goods
and all duties undertaken by the Carrier in relation to the goods.
3.2 Every servant or agent or subcontractor of Carrier shall be
entitled to the same rights, exemptions from liability, defenses
and immunities to which Carrier is entitled. For theses purposes,
carrier shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee for such
servants or agents, who shall be deemed to be parties to the contract
evidenced in this Bill of Lading.
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Route
of Transport:
4.1
Carrier is entitled to perform the transport in any reasonable
manner and by any reasonable means, methods and routes.
4.2 The ship shall have the liberty to, at any time, adjust navigational
instruments, make trail trips, dry dock, go to repair yards, shift
berths, take in fuel or stores, embark or disembark any persons,
carry contraband and harzadous goods, sail with or without pilots
and save or attempt to save life or property. Delays resulting
from such activities shall not be deemed a deviation.
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Hindrances Affecting Performances:
5.1
Carrier shall use reasonable endeavors to complete transport and
to deliver the goods at the place designated for delivery.
5.2 If at any thime the performance of this contract as evidenced
by this Bill of Lading in the opinion of Carrier is, or will be
affected by any hindrance, risk, delay, difficulty or disavantage
of any kind including strike and if by virtue of the above Carrier
has no duty to complete the performance of the contract. Carrier,
whether or not the transport is commenced may elect to:
a) Treat the performance of this contract as terminated and place
the goods at Merchant's disposal at any place Carrier shall deem
safe and convenient, or
b) deliver the goods at the place of delivery. In any event, Carrier
shall be entitled to full freight for any goods received for transportation
and additional compensation for extra costs resulting from the
circumstances referred to above.
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Basic
Liability:
6.1 Carrier shall be liable for loss of or damage to
the goods occuring between the time when it takes goods into it's
charge and the time of delivery.
6.2 If it is established that the loss of or damage to the goods
occured during sea carriage, liability shall be governed by COGSA
(See section 1.)
6.3 If it cannot be determined when the loss of or damage to the
goods occured, it shall be presumed that such loss or damage occurred
while the goods where in the custody of Carrier and COGSA shall
govern.
6.4 Carrier does not undertake that the goods shall be delivered
at any particular time and shall not be liable for any direct
or indirect losses caused by any delay.
6.5 Carrier shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising
from:
a) an act or omission of Merchant or person other than Carrier
acting on behalf of Merchant from whom Carrier took the goods
in charge.
b) Compliance with the instructions of any person authorized to
give them.
c) Handling, loading, stowage, or unloading of the goods by or
on behalf of Merchant
d) Inherent vice of the goods.
e) Lack or insufficiency of or defective condition of packing
in the case of goods, which by their nature, are liable ti wastage
ir danage when not packed or when not properly packed.
f) Insufficiency or inadequacy of marks or numbers on the goods,
covering or unit loads.
g) fire, unless caused by actual fault or privity or Carrier
h) Any cause or event which Carrier could not avoir and the consequences
or which he could not prevent by the exercise of due dilligence.
6.6 With respect to the transportation performed by Inland Carriers
to the ports of loading or from the port of discharge, the responsibility
of Carrier shall be to procure transportation by such carriers
(one or more) and such transportation shall be subject to the
Inland Carriers' contracts of carriage, tariffs and any law compulsorily
applicable. Carrier garantees the fulfillment of such Inland Carries'
obligations under their contracts and tariffs.
6.7 If Merchant with the consent of carrier has declared a higher
value for the goods and such higher value has been started in
the Bill of Lading, such higher value shall be the limit of Carrier's
liability. However, Carrier shall not in any case be liable for
an amount greater than the actual loss to the persons entitled
to make the claim.
6.8 Subject to the provisions 19 C.F.R. ° 111.44 to the extent
Carrier takes in the responsibility of clearing customs in no
event shall Carrier be liable for any act omission or default
by it or in connections with an exportation or importation unless
a written claim therefor is presented to Carrier at Carrier's
office within ninety (90) days from the date of exportation or
importation of the goods. The Merchant agrees that the Carrier
shall in no event be liable for any loss, damage, expense or delay
to the goods resulting from the negligence or other fault of the
Carrier for any amount in excess of $50.00 per shipment (or the
invoice value, if less) and any partial loss of damage for which
the Carrier may be liable shall be adjusted pro rata on the basis
of such valuation. The Merchant has the option of paying a special
compensation to increase the liability of the Carrier in excess
of $50.00 per shipment in case of any loss, damage, expense or
delay from causes which would make the Carrier liable, but such
can be exercised only by specific written agreement made with
the Carrier prior to shipment which agreement shall indicate the
limit of the Carrier's liability and the special compensation
for the added liability by it to be assumed. Merchant agrees to
indemnify and hold the Carrier harmless from any claims and/or
liability arising from the exportation or importation of merchandise
which violates any federal state and/or other laws or regulations
and further agrees to indemnify and hold the Carrier harmless
against any and all liability, loss, damages, costs, claims and/or
expenses, including but not limited to attorney's fees which the
Carrier may incur, suffer or be required to pay by reason of claims
by any goverment agency or any private party.
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Compensation
for Loss and Damage:
7.1
Unless otherwise mandated by compulsorily applicable law, Carrier's
liability for compensation for loss of or damage to goods shall
in no case exceed the amount of $500 per package or per customary
freight unit unless the nature of the goods and a valuation higher
than $500 was declared in writting by the shipper upon delivery
to Carrier and inserted in this Bill of Lading.
7.2 In any case where Carrier's liability for compensation may
exceed the amounts set forth in clause 7.1 above. Compensation
shall be calculated by reference to the value of the goods according
to their current market price at the time and place they are delivered
or should have been delivered in accordance with this contract.
7.3 If the value of the goods is less than $500 per package or
per customary freight unit, their value for compensation purposes
shall be deemed to be the invoice value plus freight and insurance,
if paid.
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Description
of Goods:
Merchant
warrants to Carrier that all particulars of the goods, including,
without limitations, the marks, numbers, quantity and weight furnished
by Merchant are correct and Merchant shall indemnify Carrier against
all losses arising from any inaccuracy.
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Carrier's
Containers
9.1 If goods
are not received by Carrier already in containers, carrier may
pack them in any type container.
9.2 Merchant shall be liable to Carrier for damage to Carrier's
containers or equipment if such danage occurs while such equipment
is in control of Merchant or his agents.
9.3 Merchant indemnifies Carrier for any damage or injury to persons
or property caused by Carrier's containers during handling by
or when in possession or control of Merchant.
9.4 Merchant undertakes to return such containers to Carrier within
the time provided for in Carrier's applicable tariff; otherwise
Merchant shall pay Carrier for the demurrage or detention charges
applicable to the containers.
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Container
Packed by Merchant:
If Carrier received the goods already packed in containers:
1. this Bill of Lading is prime facie evidence of the receipt
of the particular number of containers set forth, and that number
only. Carrier accepts no responsibility with respect to the order
and condition of the contents of the containers.
2. Merchant warrants that the stowage and seals of the containers
are safe and proper and suitable for handling and carriage.
3. delivery shall be deemed as full and complete performance when
the containers are delivered by Carrier with the seals intact
and
4. Carrier has the right to open and inspect the containers at
any time without notice to Merchant and expenses resulting from
same shall be borne by Merchant.
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Dangerous
Goods:
11.1
Merchant may not tender goods of a dangerous nature without written
application to Carrier and Carrier's acceptance of the same. In
the application Merchant must identify the nature of the goods
with reasonable specify as well as the names and addresses of
the shippers and consignees.
11.2 Merchant shall distinctly and permanently mark the nature
of the goods on the outside of the package and container and shall
submit to carrier or to the appropriate authorities all necessary
documents required by law or by Carrier for the transportation
of such goods.
11.3 If the goods subsequently, in the judgement of Carrier, become
a danger to Carrier, the Ship or other cargo, Carrier may dispose
of the goods without compensation to Merchant and Merchant shall
indemnify Carrier for any loss or expenses arising from such action.
- Deck
Cargo:
12.1
Carrier has the right to carry the goods in any container under
deck or on deck.
12.2 Carrier is not required to note "on deck stowage"
on the face of the Bill of Lading and goods so carrier shall constitute
under deck stowage for all purposes including the General Average.
12.3 Except as otherwise provided by any law applicable to this
contact, if this Bill of Lading states that the cargo is stowed
on deck, then Carrier shall not be liable for any loss of or damage
to the goods for any non-delivery, misdelivery, delay or loss
to goods carried on deck, whether or not caused by Carrier's negligence
or the ship's unseaworthiness.
- Heavy
Lift:
13.1
Single packages with a wright exceeding 2,240 pounds gross not
presented to carrier in enclosed containers must be declared in
writting by Merchant before receipt of the packages by Carrier.
The weight of such packages must be clearly and durably marked
on the outside of the package in letters and figures not less
than two inches high.
13.2 If merchant fails to comply with the above provisions, Carrier
shall not be liable for any loss of or damage to the goods, and
Merchant shall be liable for any loss of or damage to persons
or property resulting from such failure and Merchant shall indemnify
Carrier against any loss or liability suffered or incurred by
Carrier as a result of such failure.
- Delivery:
14.1 Carrier shall have the right to deliver the goods at any
time at any place deisgnated by Carrier within the commercial
or geographic limits of the port of discharge or place of delivery
shown in this Bill of Lading.
14.2 Carrier's responsibility shall cease when delivery has been
made to Merchant, any person authorized by Merchant to receive
the goods, or in any manner or to any other person in accordance
with the custom and usage of the port of discharge.
14.3 If goods should remain in Carrier's custody after discharge
from the ship and possession is not taken by Merchant after notice,
within the time limit allowed in Carrier's applicable tariff,
the goods may be considered to have been delivered to Merchant,
and, at Carrier's option, may be stored at Merchant's expense.
- Notice
of Claims:
15.1
Written notice of claims for loss of or damage to goods occuring
or presumed to have occured while in the custody of Carrier must
be given to Carrier at the port of discharge before or at the
time or removal of the goods by one entitled to delivery. If such
notice is not procided, removal shall be prima facie evidence
of delivery by carrier. If such loss or damage is not apparent,
Carrier must be given written notice within 3 days of the delivery.
- Freight
and Charges:
16.1
Freight may be calculated on the bases of the particulars of the
goods furnished by Merchant. Carrier and Merchant agree that it
may be difficult or impossible to assess damages if freight is
incorrectly declared. Therefor, in case of incorrect declaration
of the goods, Merchant shall pay a sum equal to three times the
difference between the correct freight and the freight charged
as liquidated damages, notwithstanding any other sum having been
stated herein as freight payable. Quotation as to fees, rates
of duty, freight charges, insurance premiums or other charges
given by Carrier to Merchant are informational purposes only and
are subject to change without notice and shall not under any circumstances
by biding upon Carrier unless the Carrier in writting specifically
undertakes the handling of transportation of the shipment at a
specific rate.
16.2 Freight shall be deemed earned on receipt of goods by Carrier,
whether the freight be intended to be prepaid or collected at
destination. Payment shall be in full and in cash, in the currency
named in this Bill of Lading, or another currency at Carrier's
option. Interest at 12% shall run from the date when freight and
charges are due. If the services of an inland or air carrier are
used for this transportation, payment of freight to the inland
or air carrier is not payment to Carrier. Full freight shall be
paid on damaged or unsound goods. In any referral for collection
or action against the and/or litigation, including reasonable
attorneys' fees.
16.3 Merchant shall liable for all dues, duties, fines, taxes
, and charges, including consular fees, levied on the goods. Merchant
shall be liable for return freight and charges on the goods if
they are refused export or import by any goverment.
16.4 All persons encompasses within the definition of "Merchant"
as provided in section 2 of the Bill of Lading shall be jointly
and severally liable to Carrier for the payment of all freight
and charges including advances.
16.5 All persons encompasses within the definition of "Merchant"
as procided in section 2 of this Bill of Lading shall jointly
and severally indemnify the Carrier for all claims, fines, penalities,
damages, costs and other amounts which may be incurred or imposed
upon the Carrier by reason of any breach of the Merchant of any
of the provisions of this Bill of Lading or of any statutory or
regulatory requirements.
16.6 Goods received with Merchant's or other person's instruction
to "Collect on delivery" ("C.O.D.") by drafts
or otherwise, or to collect any specified terms by time drafts
or otherwise are accepted by Carrier only upon the express understanding
that it will exercise reasonable care in selection of a back correspondent,
carrier or agent to whom it will send such item for collection,
and the Carrier will not be reponsible for any act, omission,
default, suspension, insolvency or want or care, negligence or
fault of such bank correspondent, carrier, or agent, nor for any
delay in remittance lost in exchange or during transmissions,
or while in the course of collection.
- Lien:
The Carrier shall have a general lien on any and all property
(and documents relating thereto) of the Merchant, in its possession,
custody or control or en route, for all claims for charges, expenses
or advances incurred by the Carrier in connection with any shipments
of the Merchant and if such claim remains unsatisfied for thirty
(30) days after demand for its payment is made the Carrier may
sell at public auction or private sale, upon the (10) days written
notice, registered mail (R.R.R.) to the Merchant, to goods, ware
and/or merchandise or so much necessay to satisfy such lien, and
apply the net proceeds of such sale to the payment of the amount
due the Carrier. Any surplus from such sale shall be transmitted
to the Merchant, and the Merchant shall be liable for any deficiency
in the sale.
- Time
Bar:
Carrier shall be discharged from all liability for loss of or
damage to goods unless suit is brought within one year after delivery
of the goods or the date when the gods should have been delivered.
The time bar for overcharge claims shall be that set forth in
Carrier's applicable tariff or 36 months, whichever is shorter
and or legal effect under the laws of the country having jurisdiction
over this contract.
- Jurisdiction
Any claim or dispute under this Bill of Lading shall
be decided by the court in New Jersey, or alternately if the plaintiff
to the claim or dispute shall so elect, by the court of the place
where the defendant has its principal place of business, and except
as a herein otherwise provided, in accordance with the law of
the United States of America.
- General
Average:
20.1
General Average shall be adjusted at New York, or any other port
at Carrier's option, according to the York-Antwerp Rules of 12974.
The General Average statement shall be prepared by adjusters appointed
by Carrier.
20.2 In the event of accident damage, danger or disaster after
commencement of the voyage resulting from any cause wahtsoever,
whether due to negligence or not, for the consequence of which
Carrier is not responsible by statute, contract or otherwise,
Merchant shall contribute with Carrier in General Average to the
payment of any sacrifice, loss or expense or a General Average
nature that may be made or incurred, and shall pay salvage or
special charges incurred in respect of the goods. If a salving
vessel is owned or operated by Carrier, salvage shall be paid
for as fully as if the salving vessel or vessels belonged to strangers.
- Both-to-Blame
collision Clause:
If
the ship comes into collision with another vessel as a result
of negligence of the other vessel and any negligence or fault
on the part of Carrier or its servants or subcontractors, Merchant
shall indemnify Carrier against any loss or liability to the other
or non-carrying vessel or her owners, insofar as such loss or
liability represents loss of, or damage to, or any claim whatsoever
of Merchant paid or payable by the other or non-carrying vessel
or her owners and Merchant and set-off, recouped or recovered
by the other or non-carrying vessel or her owners as part of their
claim against the carrying ship or her owner. This provision hall
apply as well where the owners, operators or those in charge of
any ship or ships or objects other that, or in addition to the
colliding ships or objects are at fault with respect to a collision
or contract.
- Carriers'
Tariffs:
22.1
The goods carried under this Bill of Lading are all subject to
all the terms and conditions of tariff(s) on file with the Federal
Maritime Commission, the Interstate Commerce Commussion or any
other regulatory agency which governs a particular portion of
the carriage and the terms are incorporated herein as part of
the terms and conditions of this Bill of Lading.
22.2 Copies of Carriers' tariffs may be obtained from Carrier
or its agents upon request or from the govermental body with whom
the tariff has been filed.
- Severability:
Ther
terms of this Bill of Lading shall be severable and, if any part
or term hereof shall be held invalid, such holding shall not affect
the validity or enforceability of any other part of term hereof.
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