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Terms & Conditions

Last updated: January 2023

1. Definitions

In these conditions:

a. ‘Conditions’ - these terms and conditions of business

b. ‘Provider’ – Smooth Fulfilment Ltd

c. ‘Client’ - any person, firm or agent who accepts the services of the Provider

d. ‘Customer’ - any recipient to which the Provider ships the Goods to. For the avoidance of doubt, the Provider does not have any contract with the Customer.

e. ‘Services’ - any services which the Provider is to supply in accordance with the Conditions

f. ‘Goods’ - the goods which are the subject of the Contract which are to be stored and serviced by the Provider at the Client’s request

g. ‘Contract’ - any contract for the supply of the Services by the Provider to the Client in accordance with these Conditions

h. ‘Demand’ - any action, award, claim or other legal recourse, complaint, cost, debt, demand, expense, fine, liability, loss, outgoing, penalty or proceeding

i. ‘Provider’s Premises’ - all the locations that the Provider operates its business from

j. ‘Force Majeure’ - an event beyond the reasonable control of the Provider including but not limited  to  strikes, lock-outs or other industrial disputes, failure of a utility service or transport network, act of God, war, riot, civil commotion, malicious damage, compliance with any law or governmental order, rule, regulation or direction, accident, breakdown of plant or machinery, fire, flood, storm or default of Providers or subcontractors.

2. Authority to Contract 

The Client warrants that:  

a. it is either the owner of the Goods or has lawful possession of the Goods and all right and authority to store them with the Provider and to direct the release and/or delivery  of  the Goods to Customer;

b. the Goods are properly marked and packed for storage and handling; and

c. all information provided by Client to Provider is true, accurate, and complete in all material respects.

3. Quotations & Tenders 

a. Quotations and tenders by the Provider are valid for a period of 30 days from the date of quotation unless otherwise stated or agreed in writing. The Provider will not carry out any duties that have not been previously agreed without receiving consent from the Client. If a matter is of a time sensitive nature the Provider will attempt to contact the Client. If the Client cannot be reached the Provider will act in what they perceive to be in the Clients best interest.

b. All goods should be sent to 21 Broughton Road East, Salford, M6 6GL unless otherwise agreed in writing.

4. Contractual Terms

a. The Contract is subject to the Conditions which take precedence over any terms and conditions of the  Client unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Provider shall not be bound by any variation, waiver or  addition to the Conditions unless confirmed by the Provider in writing.

b. The Provider shall not be bound by any oral warranty or representation given or made (or purported to  be given or made) on behalf of itself unless confirmed by the Provider in writing.

c. The Provider reserves the right to amend the Conditions from time to time by giving one months’ notice. If such increase is not acceptable to the Client, it may cancel the Contract within the notice period herein by  giving the Provider notice in writing, as per the agreed contract notice period. During this period any changes will not be in effect.

5. Price

a. All amounts payable by the Client under the Contract are exclusive of amounts in respect of VAT and all  other taxes and duties whatsoever which shall be payable by the Client at the applicable rate.

The Provider shall have the right to increase its prices to the Client:

i. with immediate effect to account for any alterations to the Services requested by the Client after the date of the Contract, including material changes to the Goods from that agreed in the Quotation

ii. with immediate effect to account for increases in the Provider’s costs outside of their control (including  but are not limited to costs of postal services, external couriers, pallet networks and raw materials)

iii. by giving one month’s notice in writing for any other reason. If such increase is not acceptable to the Client, it may cancel the Contract within the notice period herein by giving the Provider the agreed notice  in writing, as per the agreed contract notice period. During this period any changes will not be in effect.

b. For the avoidance of doubt, no Insurance for the Goods of any kind (including but not limited to insurance for theft or consequential losses) is included in the price unless agreed by the Provider in writing. The Provider strongly recommends the Client insures their own goods stored at the Provider.

6. Payment

a. Where credit has been agreed: All invoices are payable in full, without discount of any kind, within 7 days of the invoice date unless otherwise agreed in writing.

b. Where no credit has been agreed: All invoices are payable immediately and/or a deposit may be  required in advance.

c. The Provider reserves the right, from time to time, to reassess or withdraw any credit extended to the Client if it has reason to believe the Client is no longer creditworthy.

d. All payments must be made by Direct Debit or with agreement from the Provider by electronic bank transfer. The Provider may make an administration charge and charge for any additional costs incurred in processing payments not made as above.

e. All payments to the Provider must be in Pounds Sterling.

f. The Client will not be entitled to make any deduction or claim any set-off or withhold payment on any invoices.

g. Where any invoice is over 1 day late, the Provider reserves the right to charge a penalty of 5% of the invoice value or £10, whichever is greater. This will be billed to the Client on their next invoice.

h. Where any invoice is over 30 days late, the Provider reserves the right to instruct a third party agency, or begin court action, to collect all outstanding amounts in which case any fees or costs incurred will be billed to the Client in addition to the Late Payment of Commercial Debts interest and costs.

7. Lien

a. The Provider shall have on the Goods a particular lien as well as a general lien entitling it to retain the Goods as security for payment of all sums owed (whether due or not) from the Client on any account, whether directly relating to the Goods or not. Storage charges at the normal rate shall accrue on any Goods detained under a lien. The Provider may enforce this  lien  in  accordance with Section 12(d) below, including, by selling all or any part of the Goods in accordance with applicable law.

b. The Client must continue to insure the Goods whilst under lien and the Provider will take no additional responsibility for damage, theft or loss other than already set out in the Contract.

8. Client Undertakings

The Client undertakes to: 

a. present the Goods for packing in such condition as not to cause damage or injury, or the likelihood of damage or injury, to the property, employees or agents of the Provider or to the Customer;

b. obtain any necessary import licences or permits necessary for the entry of the Goods into the territories in which they are to be shipped, and their delivery to the Provider;

c. be responsible for any customs duties, clearance charges, taxes, brokers'  fees and other amounts payable in connection with the importation and delivery of the Goods;

d. comply with all laws and regulations affecting the manufacture, sale, packaging and labelling of the Goods from time to time in force;

e. ensure that all the Goods presented have been appropriately tested and approved as safe for all purposes for which the Goods are intended to be used;

f. inform the Provider in writing before the presentation of the Goods of any special precautions required  by the nature, weight or condition of the Goods and any laws and regulations specific to the Goods with  which the Provider will need to comply when storing, handling or shipping the Goods;

g. provide to the Provider with copies of all material safety datasheets relating to the Goods where they exist;

h. perform the additional undertakings as detailed in the Provider’s most recently published Service Level Agreement;

i. provide all necessary information to allow international customs clearance for Goods to be exported  including but not limited to cost prices, sale prices, HS  codes, customs descriptions, instructions, documents, licences, authorisations and permissions;

j. be solely responsible for obtaining any necessary import licences or permits; and

k. shall ensure that the bill of lading or other contract of carriage (i) identifies the Client as the named  consignee, in care of the Provider, and (ii) does not identify the Provider as the consignee. If any Goods are shipped to the Provider naming Provider as named consignee, the Client shall promptly notify the carrier in writing that Provider is (i) the "in care of party" only and (ii) does not have any beneficial title or interest in the Goods. The Provider may refuse to accept any Goods tendered for storage in violation of this provision, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage to, or mis consignment of, such Goods. Whether the Provider accepts or refuses goods shipped in violation of this Section, the Client agrees to indemnify and hold Provider harmless from all claims for transportation, storage, handling and other charges relating to such goods, including surcharges, undercharges, rail demurrage, truck/intermodal detention and other charges of any nature whatsoever, in each case excepting charges that the Provider explicitly has agreed to undertake in writing.

9. Delivery & Performance

a. Goods shall be deemed delivered to the Customer (and therefore no longer the responsibility of the  Provider) when they are accepted by either the Client, an agent of the Client,  the  Customer or any carrier (who shall be the Client’s agent irrespective of who pays the carrier’s charges). The Provider will use all reasonable endeavours to package and have the Goods ready for despatch by any date quoted by the Provider or requested by the Client or their agents, but time shall not be of the essence of the Contract.

b. The Provider shall not be liable for any penalty, loss, injury, theft, damage, costs or expense arising from any delay or failure in delivery or performance from any cause whatsoever.

c. If the Client, their agents, or the Customer, fail to take delivery of the Goods or any part of them at the  agreed time and date, or fail to provide documents or written instructions required to enable the Goods to  be delivered, then the Client shall pay the Provider on demand for all costs and expenses incurred by the Provider including storage and all charges arising from its failure.

d. The Provider has the right not to accept any deliveries of Goods or components that the Client has not previously advised of, including, without limitation, if the Goods tendered by the Client do not conform to  the description, as provided on the Quotation or otherwise agreed in writing by the Provider.

e. The Provider has the right to refuse delivery of any Goods or components that it deems unsafe or not in a suitable condition for storage or packing.

10. Warranty & Loss

a. Nothing in these Conditions shall limit or exclude the Provider's liability for: 

i. death or personal injury caused by its negligence, or the negligence of its employees, agents or subcontractors;

ii. fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or

iii. breach of the terms implied by section 2 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (title and quiet possession).

b. Subject to clause 10a.:

the Provider shall under no circumstances whatsoever be liable to the Client, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, for any loss, loss of  profit, or any indirect or consequential loss arising under or in  connection with the Contract.

c. For the avoidance of doubt, the Provider shall have no liability whatsoever for any loss, damage, theft, deterioration, delay, non-collection, non-delivery, mis-delivery, or unauthorised delivery of any Goods of the Client. Also, the provider shall have no liability whatsoever for non-compliance with instructions  caused  by any agent (including all carriers regardless of who pays the carriers’ charges) of the Client.

d. The terms implied by sections 3 to 5 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 are, to the fullest extent permitted by law, excluded from the Contract.

e. This clause 10 shall survive termination of the Contract.

11. Claims

a. The Client will notify the Provider of any potential claim under the Contract giving full details of the potential claim including any details required by the Provider:

i. for claims covered by the Provider’s Compensation Policy, within the time scales set out in that policy 

ii. for all other claims, within 14 days of the potential claim coming to the Client’s knowledge and in any case no later than 90 days from its occurrence.

b. The Provider shall have reasonable time to investigate the claim and respond. 

12. Termination

If the Client fails to make payment or otherwise defaults in any of its obligations under the Contract or any  other contract or agreement with the Provider, or is involved in illegal activities, or activities which bring  the Provider into disrepute, or becomes insolvent, has a receiver appointed or is wound up, or enters into any arrangement with or for the benefit of its creditors, or the Provider bona fide believes that any event  here mentioned may occur, then the Provider may (at its sole option and without affecting any other claim  right or remedy against the Client) either:

a. terminate the Contract with immediate effect by giving the Client notice in writing of its intention to do so; or 

b. suspend the Supply of the Services without notice until the Client’s default has been remedied to the Provider’s reasonable satisfaction; or

c. require payment in advance for the Services. The Client and the Provider shall each have the right to  terminate the Contract by giving the other party 2 weeks written notice of its intention to do so. In the event of termination: 

d. The Goods will be packed at the normal charge rate and a final invoice sent covering  all costs including  any collection or final delivery costs and storage up until the Goods are collected.

e. The Goods will not be made available for collection, or sent for delivery, until all amounts due to the Provider by the Client (or the Client’s agents or associates) are paid in full .

f. The Goods must be collected within 7 days of any collection date agreed by the parties and in any event within one month of the date of termination.

g. Where any payment is overdue, the Provider will continue to charge storage charges and may, without  prejudice to its other rights and remedies against the Client, notify the Client in writing that the Goods may  be sold or otherwise disposed of at the Client’s entire risk and expense if such payment is not made within  21 days from the date of such notice. On expiry of the period, if such payment has not been made the Provider may sell or otherwise dispose of the Goods, in entirety or part, at the Client’s entire risk and  expense by an appropriate method. Any proceeds of sale or disposal shall be remitted to the Client after 

deduction of all expenses and all amounts owed to the Provider.

13. Force Majeure

a. The Provider shall not be liable to the Client as a result of any delay or failure to perform its obligations under this Contract as a result of a Force Majeure Event. 

b. If the Force Majeure Event prevents the Provider from meeting SLAs for more than 3 months, the  Provider shall, without limiting its other rights or remedies, have the right to terminate the Contract immediately by giving written notice to the Client.

14. Confidentiality

Each party undertakes that it shall not at any time during the Contract, and for a period of 3 years after termination of the Contract, disclose to any person any confidential information concerning the business,  affairs, customers, clients or suppliers of the other party, except as permitted by this clause. Each party may disclose the other party's confidential information:

a. to its employees, officers, representatives, subcontractors or advisers who need to know such information for the purposes of carrying out the party's obligations under the Contract. Each party shall ensure that its employees, officers, representatives, subcontractors or advisers to whom it discloses the other party's confidential information comply with this clause 16; and

b. as may be required by law, a court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental or regulatory authority. 

No party shall use any other party's confidential information for any purpose other than to perform its obligations under the Contract. This clause 14 shall not apply to any information which:

i. is already known to the receiving party at the time of disclosure by the disclosing party;

ii. is in or comes into the public domain through no fault of the receiving party;

iii. is obtained by the receiving party from a third party who has the legal right to make the disclosure to the receiving party or

iv. is independently developed by the receiving party without reference to or reliance on the disclosing party’s confidential information.

15. Data Protection

a. In the provision of the Services, the Provider (the data processor) will be expected to process data related to the Client (the data controller) and their customers. This data will cover:

i. customer information with regard to the Services, including tracking and order information, and record keeping thereafter for no longer than as reasonably required by the Provider and Client;

ii. for the processing of the Services with;

iii. comprising customer data; including name, surname, billing address, delivery address, email, phone;

iv. where the controller is obliged to ensure that it has fully complied with the relevant data protection laws; 

v. and where the controller has rights to the data as defined within the GDPR.

b. The Provider will:

i. only contact the Clients customers directly via email, to share shipping, tracking and other fulfilment related information;

ii. only otherwise act on written instructions of the controller (unless required by law to act without such instructions);

iii. ensure that people processing the data are subject to a duty of confidence;

iv. take appropriate measures to ensure the security of processing;

v. only engage a sub-processor with the prior consent of the data controller and a written contract;

vi. assist the data controller in providing subject access and allowing data subjects to exercise their rights under the GDPR;

vii. assist the data controller in meeting its GDPR obligations in relation to the security of processing, the  notification of personal data breaches and data protection impact assessments;

viii. return all personal data to the controller as requested at the end of the contract;

ix. delete all personal data once it is no longer required; and

x. submit to audits and inspections, provide the controller with whatever information it needs to ensure  that they are both meeting their Article 28 obligations, and tell the controller immediately if it is asked to  do something infringing the GDPR or other data protection law of the EU or a member state.

c. Where the Services are required by the client to be provided outside of the EEA, data which is  specifically required for the provision of those Services will be transferred to the non-EEA country. Such permitted transfers will be safeguarded by the Provider through Model Contract Clauses or other adequate safeguards.

The Provider’s  liability is as defined in this contract, save than nothing within the contract relieves the processor of its own direct responsibilities and liabilities under the GDPR.

16. General

a. For the avoidance of doubt the Provider may engage the services or employ any person or Provider in order to carry out any obligation it may have to the Client.

b. Any notice period required or permitted to be given by either party to the other under the Contract shall be made:

i. in writing by recorded delivery to the trading address of the Provider, or to the main contact address or 

ii. by email to the Provider’s support email address, or the Client’s main contact  email address.

c. The notice period shall be deemed to be served on the working day that the notice was recorded as delivered, or the first working day after delivery if a weekend.

d. No waiver by the Provider of any breach of Contract by the Client shall be considered as waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision.

e. If any provision of the Conditions is held by any competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable in  whole or in part the validity of the other provisions of the Conditions and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected thereby.

17. Governing Law

The Contract and the Conditions shall be subject to English Law and the parties agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts in all matters.

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