GENERAL TRANSPORT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

(Supplement to NSAB 2000 – Applicable to all forwarding and transport assignments)

 

1. Applicability and Governing Conditions

 

All forwarding, transport and logistics assignments undertaken by Natus Transport AB (hereinafter referred to as “the Forwarder”) shall be governed by the General Conditions of the Nordic Association of Freight Forwarders (NSAB 2000), as in force at the time of acceptance of the assignment.

 

The following provisions of NSAB 2000 are expressly excluded and shall not apply under any circumstances:

• §6 – Time-dependent transports
• §20 – Time guarantees
• §27 C3 – Insurance of goods stored at warehouse

 

These Transport Terms and Conditions constitute an integral and supplementary part of NSAB 2000 and shall prevail in case of conflict.

By placing an order, the Customer expressly accepts NSAB 2000 and these Transport Terms and Conditions in their entirety.

 

2. Scope of the Forwarder’s Undertaking

 

2.1 No Liability for Time, Delay or Schedule

 

The Forwarder shall never be liable for delay, loss of market, loss of profit, consequential loss or any other time-related damages.

 

This applies without exception, including but not limited to cases where:

• a specific date or time for loading and/or delivery has been agreed,
• a time-definite or time-critical transport has been confirmed,
• delay is caused by subcontractors, terminals, ports, ferries, authorities or third parties.

 

Any reference to dates or times shall be considered indicative only and shall never constitute a guarantee or undertaking.

 

2.2 Right to Subcontract and No Liability for Subcontractors

 

The Forwarder is fully entitled, at its sole discretion, to:

• engage subcontractors, carriers, terminals, agents or other third parties,
• determine which subcontractors are used,
• perform the assignment in whole or in part through third parties.

 

The Customer has no right to object to or challenge the Forwarder’s choice of subcontractor.

 

The Forwarder assumes no liability whatsoever for acts, omissions, insolvency, fraud, criminal behaviour or so-called “scam companies” engaged as subcontractors.

 

Any claim related to a subcontractor shall be deemed excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

2.3 Mode of Transport

 

The Forwarder alone determines the means, route and structure of transport, including but not limited to road, rail, sea, ferry, multimodal or combined transport solutions.

The Forwarder is not required to specify or disclose the chosen mode of transport unless expressly agreed in writing.

 

3. Waiting Time, Loading and Unloading

 

3.1 Free Time and Charges

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the following applies:

 

Partial load / groupage:

• 30 minutes free loading and unloading time
• Thereafter: EUR 30 per commenced 30 minutes
• Minimum charge: EUR 60

 

Full load (FTL):

• 2 hours free loading and unloading time
• Thereafter: EUR 30 per commenced 30 minutes
• Minimum charge: EUR 60

 

Waiting time charges apply regardless of cause and shall be payable without dispute.

 

3.2 Securing of Goods

 

The Forwarder provides standard lashing straps only.

The Customer is solely responsible for ensuring that:

• all other equipment, material, personnel and arrangements required for safe loading and securing of the goods are available,
• no cost, delay or liability is incurred by the Forwarder due to missing or insufficient loading conditions.

The Forwarder assumes no liability for inadequate securing caused by missing equipment or instructions.

 

4. Pallets – Absolute Exclusion of Responsibility

The Forwarder does not operate, accept or participate in pallet exchange systems of any kind.

Accordingly:

• No exchange, return or balancing of pallets shall be performed
• No pallet receipts shall be issued or accepted
• No invoices, deductions, offsets or claims relating to pallets shall be accepted
• The Forwarder shall never be responsible for empty pallets, pallet deposits or pallet placement at terminals or specified locations

Any pallet-related obligation is entirely excluded.

 

5. Nature of Goods – Duty of Disclosure and Instruction

The Customer bears an absolute and non-delegable obligation not only to disclose the nature of the goods, but also to explicitly instruct the Forwarder in writing on how the transport shall be performed.

 

5.1 Disclosure Is Not Sufficient

Disclosure of the type or category of goods alone shall not be deemed sufficient.

 

Even where the Customer correctly states the nature of the goods (including but not limited to alcohol, spirits, pharmaceuticals, temperature-sensitive or theft-prone goods), the Customer must additionally provide clear, complete and explicit written instructions regarding:

• required transport equipment,
• security measures,
• handling procedures,
• loading, securing and sealing requirements,
• any insurance- or regulation-driven conditions applicable to the goods.

 

The Forwarder shall not be expected, obliged or required to independently assess, interpret or apply insurance requirements, legal restrictions or industry standards on behalf of the Customer.

 

5.2 No Knowledge or Advisory Obligation

The Forwarder does not assume any advisory, supervisory or investigative duty regarding:

• insurance conditions applicable to the goods,
• regulatory or statutory transport requirements,
• special equipment or security measures.

The Customer expressly acknowledges that it is solely responsible for understanding and translating such requirements into specific transport instructions.

 

5.3 Standard Transport Assumption

If no explicit written instructions are provided by the Customer, the transport shall be deemed ordered and accepted as a standard transport of general cargo, performed with standard equipment and without any special measures.

In such cases, the Customer accepts that:

• the Forwarder may use standard trailers and equipment,
• no liability shall arise due to missing special equipment or measures,
• any insurance coverage may be reduced or void.

 

5.4 Explicit Disclaimer Example

For the avoidance of doubt:

 

Even if the Forwarder’s insurance conditions require, for example, that spirits must be transported in a box trailer with GPS, locking system and seal, the Forwarder shall bear no responsibility whatsoever for complying with such requirements unless the Customer has explicitly instructed in writing that the transport must be carried out under such conditions.

 

If spirits or similar goods are transported as standard cargo due to lack of instruction, the Forwarder shall bear zero liability, and the Customer shall fully indemnify the Forwarder against any claim, loss or cost arising therefrom.

 

5.5 Indemnification

The Customer shall indemnify and hold the Forwarder harmless against any loss, damage, claim, penalty or cost arising out of:

• insufficient or missing instructions,
• misinterpretation or omission of insurance or regulatory requirements,
• execution of the transport as standard cargo due to lack of instruction.

 

6. Ferry and Sea Transport – Exclusion of Liability

During any sea or ferry passage:

• the Forwarder assumes no responsibility for the goods,
• liability lies solely with the performing sea carrier or terminal operator,
• such carriage is outside the scope of NSAB 2000 and the CMR Convention.

 

7. Claims and Inspection of Goods

 

7.1 Visible Damage

Any visible loss or damage must be noted on the CMR or transport document at delivery.

Claims not supported by such notation shall be rejected.

 

7.2 Hidden Damage

Hidden damage must be notified in writing within two (2) calendar days from delivery.

Notifications made later shall be invalid.

 

7.3 Presence at Loading

No compensation shall be paid if:

• the driver was not present during loading, or
• the damage or shortage may have arisen during loading.

 

8. Cancellation of Assignment

Assignments may be cancelled free of charge up to 36 hours prior to scheduled loading.

Cancellations made later than 36 hours prior shall be subject to a cancellation fee of 80% of the agreed freight, hereinafter referred to as “dead freight”.

 

9. Insurance and Limitation of Compensation

The Forwarder holds a CMR liability insurance and complies fully with its terms.

However:

• the Forwarder never insures goods,
• cargo insurance is the sole responsibility of the Customer,
• the Customer is responsible for understanding the scope and limitations of CMR insurance.

 

The Forwarder shall never pay compensation exceeding what is reimbursed by its insurer.

If the insurer rejects or limits compensation, the Customer expressly accepts that no compensation shall be payable by the Forwarder.

 

10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Transport Terms and Conditions shall be governed by Swedish law.

Any dispute shall be exclusively settled by the courts of Sweden.

 

11. Compensation, Liability and Insurance Exclusions

 

11.1 Principle of Corresponding Liability

Any liability, compensation or indemnification payable by the Forwarder shall be strictly limited to, and shall never exceed, the amount actually reimbursed to the Forwarder under its applicable liability insurance.

If the insurer wholly or partially denies coverage, limits compensation or applies exclusions, the Customer expressly accepts that no compensation shall be payable by the Forwarder, regardless of cause.

The Forwarder shall under no circumstances assume liability beyond what is covered by its insurance.

 

11.2 General Insurance-Based Exclusions

 

Without prejudice to NSAB 2000 and other exclusions stated herein, the Forwarder shall bear no liability whatsoever for loss, damage, cost or liability arising from or related to:

a) loss of or damage to other goods or property occurring during the execution of the assignment,

b) loss or damage occurring during storage, warehousing or temporary holding,

c) loss or damage caused by wear and tear, insufficient maintenance or overloading of the vehicle,

d) loss or damage caused by exceeding the legally permitted width, axle load or weight of the vehicle or cargo,

e) loss or damage arising from intentional acts of employees, unless the Forwarder can be shown to have had knowledge of, or should reasonably have foreseen, the risk,

f) loss or damage caused by intentional acts or gross negligence of the Forwarder or its senior management, including managing directors, authorised signatories or persons in equivalent managerial positions.

 

11.3 Driver-Related Exclusions

The Forwarder shall bear no liability for loss or damage occurring while the vehicle is driven:

• off-road or on roads where vehicle traffic is prohibited,
• without a valid driving licence,
• during unauthorised or improperly conducted driving instruction,
• while the driver was criminally under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or other intoxicating substances.

11.4 Dangerous Goods

The Forwarder shall bear no liability for loss or damage arising from the transport of dangerous goods, where such loss or damage is attributable to:

• failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations or conventions governing the transport of dangerous goods, or
• insufficient, incorrect or missing information or instructions provided by the Customer.

 

11.5 Strikes, Riots and Sabotage

The Forwarder shall bear no liability for loss, damage or liability wholly or partially caused by:

• strike, lockout, labour disputes,
• riots, civil disturbances, looting or sabotage.

 

11.6 Courier and Express Transports

Liability insurance coverage does not apply to courier or express transports.

Accordingly, the Forwarder shall bear no liability for loss or damage arising from assignments that, by their nature, constitute courier, express or messenger services.

 

11.7 Excise Duties, Special Taxes and Similar Charges

Unless expressly agreed in writing, the Forwarder shall bear no liability whatsoever for any:

• excise duties,
• special taxes,
• consumption taxes,
• environmental taxes,
• customs-related duties, or
• any fees, charges or levies of a similar nature

 

(collectively referred to as “Excise Duties”), imposed on or in connection with the transported goods.

 

This exclusion expressly includes, but is not limited to, Excise Duties relating to alcohol, spirits, wine, beer, tobacco, snus, nicotine products or any other goods subject to excise taxation, whether such taxation applies under current legislation or future regulations.

 

Any loss, claim, penalty, surcharge or payment obligation relating to Excise Duties shall be borne exclusively by the Customer, irrespective of whether such liability arises due to loss, damage, delay, theft, misdelivery or any other event during the transport.

 

11.8 Excluded Goods

Unless expressly agreed in writing, the Forwarder shall bear no liability for loss of or damage to:

 

a) cash, securities, negotiable instruments and valuables, including but not limited to precious metals, gemstones, pearls, jewellery, works of art or items of collectible value,

b) plants and live animals,

c) personal effects, household goods or removal cargo,

d) letters or postal consignments.

 

11.9 Customer Acknowledgement

The Customer expressly acknowledges and agrees that:

• the Forwarder’s liability is strictly insurance-based,
• exclusions applied by the insurer shall equally apply between the Customer and the Forwarder,
• no claim shall be raised against the Forwarder where insurance coverage is excluded or denied.

 

Version, last update: 2026-01-16

 

END OF DOCUMENT