1. Scope

These Shipping Terms & Liability ("Shipping Terms") apply to every shipment handled by City Post Express ("we," "us," or "our") for international transportation, customs clearance, and related logistics services. They form part of our Terms & Conditions. By booking a shipment you accept these Shipping Terms in full.

2. Quotes & Booking

Quotes are based on the information you provide — inventory, weight, volume, origin, destination, and service level. Quotes are valid for 30 days from the date of issue unless otherwise stated. A booking is confirmed only on our written acceptance and receipt of the deposit or pre-payment stipulated on the quote.

If the actual shipment differs from the quoted inventory — including additional items, increased weight or volume, or a change in destination or service level — the final invoice will be adjusted accordingly. We will notify you of any material adjustment before charges are applied.

3. Customer Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

• Providing accurate and complete inventory details, contact information, and delivery instructions.
• Ensuring that the shipment does not contain prohibited, restricted, hazardous, or dangerous goods (see Section 8).
• Providing valid identification, customs documentation, and Transfer of Residence relief paperwork where required by the destination country.
• Properly packing, wrapping, and declaring the value of your goods unless we have agreed in writing to provide packing services.
• Being available — or nominating a representative — at the agreed collection and delivery times.
• Paying all duties, taxes, storage charges, or customs clearance fees levied by the destination country, unless explicitly included in your quote.

4. Collection, Packing & Documentation

Items must be ready for collection at the agreed date and time. If a collection is unsuccessful through no fault of ours, a re-collection fee may apply. Where packing is included, we will pack your shipment to industry standards appropriate for international ocean or air freight; if you self-pack, you are responsible for packaging suitable for long-haul transit.

You must provide required customs documentation (passport copy, proof of address, visa where applicable, and Transfer of Residence application where the destination country offers duty relief) before the shipment departs origin. Delays caused by missing documentation are the responsibility of the customer.

5. Transit Times

Transit times quoted are estimates based on typical sailing, flight, and customs clearance schedules for the route. Actual transit is affected by vessel and flight schedules, port congestion, customs inspections, weather, and other factors outside our direct control. We will keep you informed of material changes to the expected delivery window. Transit times are not of the essence unless expressly agreed in writing.

6. Charges, Payment & Storage

Invoices are due per the payment terms on each invoice. Unpaid invoices may delay collection, departure, customs release, or delivery. Where destination-country duties, taxes, port fees, or customs inspection charges arise, they are your responsibility unless pre-agreed in writing.

If a shipment is delayed in clearing customs or cannot be delivered due to customer inaction (e.g. failure to provide documentation, unpaid duties, or an uncontactable consignee), storage fees levied by the receiving agent or port will be passed to you. After 30 days of unresolved non-payment, we reserve the right to sell abandoned goods to recover outstanding charges, subject to applicable law.

7. Insurance & Liability

International shipments are carried subject to the liability limits of the underlying ocean, air, or road carrier and applicable international conventions (including the Hague-Visby Rules, the Montreal Convention, and the CMR Convention), which cap carrier liability at published per-package or per-kilogramme amounts.

Unless you purchase additional marine/transit insurance through us or arrange your own cover, recovery for loss or damage is limited to those carrier-liability caps. For household goods and personal effects this is typically a small fraction of replacement value. We strongly recommend you arrange marine/transit insurance that covers the full replacement value of your shipment — ask us for a quote at booking.

We are not liable for loss or damage caused by: (a) inadequate customer-supplied packing; (b) inherent defects or perishable nature of the goods; (c) acts or omissions of the customer or consignee; (d) seizure, delay, or damage by customs, police, or other authorities; or (e) Force Majeure events (see Section 10).

8. Prohibited & Restricted Items

The following may not be shipped with us. This list is not exhaustive — destination-country restrictions may extend it:

• Firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, and weapons of any kind.
• Flammable liquids and gases, compressed gases, and other hazardous materials regulated by IMDG / IATA.
• Illegal drugs, controlled substances, and narcotics.
• Counterfeit goods, goods that infringe intellectual property rights.
• Live animals, plants, seeds, and biological samples.
• Perishable food and beverages.
• Cash, bearer bonds, negotiable instruments, precious metals in bullion form.
• Pornographic, obscene, or politically seditious material as defined by the destination country.
• Any item restricted or prohibited by the laws of the origin or destination country.

We reserve the right to inspect, refuse, hold, return, or dispose of any shipment containing prohibited or restricted items. Customs seizures and resulting fines are the responsibility of the customer.

9. Claims

All claims for loss or damage must be notified to us in writing within the shorter of: (a) 14 days of delivery; or (b) the deadline set by the applicable carrier or international convention. A claim should include photographs of the damage, the original inventory, the invoice, and (where relevant) the insurance certificate.

Claims for non-delivery must be notified within 90 days of the expected delivery date. Late notifications may be rejected by the underlying carrier or insurer and are unlikely to be recoverable.

10. Cancellation & Refunds

Bookings may be cancelled by written notice. Cancellation charges apply as follows:

• More than 14 days before collection: full refund less a nominal admin fee.
• 7–14 days before collection: 50% of booked charges retained to cover allocated capacity and scheduling.
• Less than 7 days before collection, or after collection has begun: all paid amounts retained; further reasonable costs incurred may be invoiced.
• After a vessel has sailed or flight has departed: no refund; shipment proceeds to destination.

Third-party costs already committed (destination-country port fees, customs brokerage, pre-paid duties) are non-refundable regardless of cancellation timing.

11. Force Majeure

We are not liable for delay or failure to perform due to events outside our reasonable control, including: severe weather, natural disaster, war, civil unrest, strikes, pandemic restrictions, vessel or aircraft accidents, port closures, cyber-attacks, or acts of government, customs, or regulatory authorities.

12. Governing Law

These Shipping Terms are governed by the same law and jurisdiction as our Terms & Conditions. Where international carriage conventions apply, those conventions take precedence in respect of carrier liability for loss, damage, or delay to goods.

13. Contact

Questions about these Shipping Terms, or need to file a claim? Reach us via the contact page — we'll get straight back to you.