Terms & Conditions

1. INTRODUCTION

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES

SARA provides, but is not limited to, the following services:

• 
  International Freight Forwarding (Air & Sea)
• 
  Express Air Cargo Services
• 
  Sea Consolidation (LCL)
• 
  Full Container Load (FCL) Handling
• 
  Procurement & Sourcing Services
• 
  Warehousing & Storage
• 
  Customs Documentation Support
• 
  Inland Transportation & Delivery Coordination
• 
  USD and RMB Payments to Suppliers

SARA acts strictly as a logistics intermediary and not as the manufacturer or owner of goods.

3. CLIENT OBLIGATIONS

The Client agrees to:

• 1. Provide accurate and complete shipment information.
• 2. Declare true value, description, and quantity of goods.
• 3. Comply with export/import laws of origin and destination countries.
• 4. Provide valid identification for KYC and anti‑fraud verification when requested.
• 5. Ensure goods are properly packaged for international transit.

Failure to meet these obligations may result in delays, penalties, seizure, or forfeiture for which SARA bears no liability.

4. PROHIBITED & RESTRICTED GOODS

SARA will not handle or ship prohibited items including but not limited to:

Weapons & Ammunition

Explosives & Fireworks

Illegal Drugs/Narcotics

Hazardous Chemicals

Counterfeit Goods

Currency & Bearer Instruments

Perishables without prior approval

Lithium batteries not declared per IATA regulations

If such goods are discovered, SARA reserves the right to:

• 
  Refuse shipment
• 
  Surrender goods to authorities
• 
  Charge penalty/handling fees

5. INSURANCE COVERAGE

5.1 Optional Marine & Air Cargo Insurance

Insurance is optional but strongly recommended and to be provided upon client request especially for high value shipments like POS machines, manufacturing equipment etc.

Where insurance is purchased through SARA:

• 
  Coverage is subject to insurer terms in CHINA, USA or country domiciled.
• 
  Claims are processed by the underwriting insurance company.
• 
  Compensation is based on declared value.

5.2 Uninsured Shipments

For general consolidated cargo at SARA, insurance is only liable to vessel and constitute about 5 to 10% of cargo freight fee upon losses per maritime general average standard:

Goods move strictly at owner's risk and SARA shall not be liable for loss, theft, fire, vessel incidents, damage, flood, airline incidents, or force majeure events.

5.3 General Liability Cap

Where liability is established, compensation shall not exceed:

• 

  Express and Air Freight: As per IATA limits set by Airlines. SARA as freight forwarder at its discretion equally reserves rights to provide extra compensation schemes for clients as can be possible.

• 

  FCL Sea Freight: As per Hague‑Visby Rules / Carrier limits

• 

  Consolidated Cargo: Limited to weight‑based liability unless insured and SARA as freight forwarder at its discretion equally reserves rights to provide extra compensation schemes for clients as can be possible.

6 HANDLING & WAREHOUSING

SARA provides temporary warehousing for shipment processing.

6.1Free Storage Period

• 

  Express / Air: 7 working days

• 

  Sea Consolidation: Up to 10 working days before container closing

6.2Storage Fees

Storage charges apply thereafter on a daily or CBM basis.

6.3 Handling Standards

SARA exercises reasonable care in handling goods but is not liable for:

• 
  Manufacturer defects
• 
  Poor packaging by shipper
• 
  Concealed damages such as batteries and liabilities incurred will be borne by client.

7 EXPRESS AIR FREIGHT TERMS

Express air cargo operates under time‑sensitive conditions.

• 
  Transit timelines are estimates, not guarantees.
• 
  Delays due to customs, airline offloading, security checks, or weather are beyond SARA's control.
• 
  Volumetric weight applies where higher than actual weight.

Chargeable weight formula:

Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ 6000 or 5000 depending on route.

8 SEA FREIGHT & CONSOLIDATION TERMS

8.1 LCL (Less‑than‑Container Load)

• 
  Cargo is consolidated with other shipments.
• 
  Handling risk is higher due to multiple loading/unloading points and various clients involved.

8.2 FCL (Full Container Load)

• 
  Container is dedicated to one shipper.
• 
  Client is responsible for proper stuffing/packaging where self‑loaded.

8.3 Transit Time Disclaimer

Sea freight timelines are subject to:

• 
  Port congestion
• 
  Customs inspections
• 
  Vessel rerouting
• 
  Weather conditions

9. CUSTOMS, DUTIES & REGULATORY CHARGES

All import duties, taxes, examinations, and government charges are payable by the Client unless otherwise agreed.

SARA does not control customs valuation or clearance timelines.

10. LOSS, DAMAGE & CLAIMS

10.1 Notice Period

Claims must be filed:

Within 24 hours (Air)

Within 2 working days (Sea)

10.2 Required Documents

Commercial Invoice

Packing List

Proof of Value

Photos of Damage

Insurance Certificate (if insured)

Late claims may be denied.

10. LOSS, DAMAGE & CLAIMS

10.1 Notice Period

Claims must be filed:

Within 24 hours (Air)

Within 2 working days (Sea)

10.2 Required Documents

Commercial Invoice

Packing List

Proof of Value

Photos of Damage

Insurance Certificate (if insured)

Late claims may be denied.

11. FORCE MAJEURE

SARA is not liable for failure or delay caused by:

Vessel fires

Port explosions

War or piracy

Strikes

Government actions

Natural disasters

Airline/vessel mechanical failures

12. PAYMENT TERMS

Freight charges must be paid before dispatch or release.

Credit terms (if granted) must be honored within agreed timelines.

Outstanding balances may result in cargo lien or withholding.

13. CARGO LIEN

SARA reserves the right to hold cargo until:

All invoices are settled

Storage/demurrage is paid

Uncleared cargo beyond statutory timelines provided in invoice may be auctioned to recover costs.

14. DELIVERY & LAST‑MILE HANDLING

Delivery services are coordinated via third parties unless handled directly by SARA.

Risk transfers upon:

Warehouse pickup by client/agent

Delivery confirmation

15. PROCUREMENT SERVICES

Where SARA sources goods on behalf of clients:

We rely on supplier representations.

Samples/inspections are recommended.

We are not manufacturers and do not guarantee product performance.

16. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

SARA shall not be liable for:

Loss of profit

Business interruption

Market loss

Indirect or consequential damages

17. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms shall be governed by applicable international trade conventions in the People's Republic of China, United States of America, Nigeria, and any further jurisdiction where the service contract is executed unless otherwise agreed.

18. AMENDMENTS

SARA reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time. Updated versions will be published and take immediate effect.

19. ACCEPTANCE

By shipping goods through SARA Procurement Services Ltd., the Client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.