Transport Terms
Commercial and operational terms
The topics below are commonly used in transport contracts and service terms. Here they are explained briefly in plain language so clients can understand what they generally mean when dealing with RDX Movements.
Conditions Precedent
These are requirements that must be met before RDX Movements is obliged to begin or continue performing a service, such as receiving instructions, documents, approvals, or payment arrangements.
Suspension of Performance
This means RDX Movements may pause its services if payment, documentation, safety requirements, access conditions, or other important obligations are not met.
Quotations and Payment
This explains how quotations are issued, what assumptions they are based on, and when payment is expected in relation to the quoted service.
Risks
This usually refers to when risk in the goods may pass, who bears certain operational risks, and how unexpected events or losses are treated.
Customer's Warranties and Indemnities
This means the customer confirms certain facts, such as the accuracy of cargo information, and may be required to protect RDX Movements against losses caused by incorrect or incomplete information.
Freight
Freight usually refers to the transport charges payable for moving the goods, whether quoted as a rate, lane price, contract amount, or movement fee.
Additional Charges
These are extra charges that may arise outside the original quote, such as waiting time, route changes, permits, tolls, escorts, storage, or emergency handling.
Payment
This sets out when invoices fall due, how payment should be made, and what happens if payment is late.
Payment Without Deduction
This means payment should be made in full without withholding set-off, counterclaims, or deductions unless the law clearly allows otherwise.
Duties and Taxes
This covers who is responsible for customs duties, VAT, import charges, export charges, or similar taxes connected to the shipment.
Lien
A lien means RDX Movements may keep possession of goods or related documents until outstanding amounts due to it are paid.
Condition of the Goods
This refers to the state of the goods when handed over, including packaging, stability, safety, and suitability for transport.
Loading and Off-loading
This explains who is responsible for loading or unloading, what safety standards apply, and when those activities are considered complete.
Loading Time
This is the allowed or expected time for loading to take place before waiting charges or operational consequences may arise.
Off-loading Time
This is the allowed or expected time for off-loading before demurrage, waiting charges, or further handling costs may apply.
Delivery
This explains when delivery is considered to have taken place, including handover, proof of delivery, or arrival at the agreed delivery point.
Delivery Details and Off-loading Instructions
This covers the customer’s responsibility to provide clear delivery addresses, contact details, site requirements, and unloading instructions.
Failure by the Customer to Take Delivery
This means the customer may still be responsible for charges or consequences if the goods cannot be delivered because the consignee is unavailable, unprepared, or refuses delivery.
Demurrage
Demurrage is a charge for excessive waiting time when a vehicle, trailer, or cargo is delayed beyond the agreed loading or off-loading window.
Dangerous Goods
This deals with special rules for hazardous cargo, including disclosure obligations, documentation, packaging, labels, permits, and safety controls.
Delays and Damages
This explains how delays, loss, damage, or related claims may be dealt with, including notice requirements and limits on recovery.
Abnormal Loads
This refers to oversized, overweight, or specially regulated cargo that may require permits, route checks, escorts, or extra operational planning.
Insurance
This sets out whether insurance is included, optional, limited, or cargo-specific, and what the customer must do if additional cover is required.
Limitation of Liability, Waiver and Indemnity
These terms usually limit the extent of RDX Movements’ liability and may require the customer to accept certain risks or compensate RDX Movements in specific situations.
Sub-contracting
This confirms that RDX Movements may use third parties to perform part of the work while still managing the service arrangement overall.
Customer as Principal
This generally means the customer is acting for itself and is directly responsible for the obligations it accepts, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Prescription of Claims
This refers to the time limit within which a customer must bring a claim before that claim may expire or become unenforceable.