Terms of Service

1. Introduction and Operational Scope

These Terms of Service ("Terms") define the legal framework and operational regulations governing all freight forwarding, air cargo clearance, ocean shipping, warehousing, and logistics advisory services provided by UKF Sea & Air Cargo Services LLC ("UKF Services," "we," "us," or "our"), licensed and registered under Dubai Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

By engaging UKF Services, requesting quotation rates, or entrusting shipments to our management at Dubai Cargo Village or Jebel Ali Port, global buyers, exporters, importers, and enterprise partners ("Client," "Shipper," or "you") agree without qualification to be bound by these operational standards and trading conditions.

2. Scope of Freight Forwarding Services

2.1 Logistics Intermediary Capacity

UKF Services operates primarily as an independent freight forwarder and licensed UAE customs broker. We select and contract with third-party ocean carriers, commercial air lines, motor freight operators, port terminal managers, and bonded warehouse providers. We do not act as a direct common carrier unless explicitly stipulated in a executed master agreement.

2.2 Primary Operational Capabilities

• Air Freight Consolidation & Direct Chartering via Dubai Cargo Village (DXB / DWC)
• Full Container Load (FCL) & Less-Than-Container Load (LCL) Sea Freight through Jebel Ali Port
• UAE Import, Export & Re-export Customs Clearance Brokerage
• GCC Cross-Border Road Transportation (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait)
• Temperature-Controlled Perishable Cold Chain & Certified Halal Freight Handling
• Project Cargo, Heavy Lift & Breakbulk Infrastructure Logistics

3. Client Warranties and Cargo Compliance

To ensure 100% compliance with UAE Federal Customs Authority regulations and destination port requirements, the Client explicitly warrants the following:

• Accuracy of Documentation: The Client must supply true, complete, and unadjusted commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and technical material safety data sheets (MSDS) prior to customs submission.
• Dangerous Goods & Hazmat Declarations: All dangerous, hazardous, or restricted goods must be declared strictly under IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and the IMO International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
• Packaging Standards: Goods must be packaged, labeled, strapped, and palleted sufficiently to withstand standard multimodal transit hazards, container handling, and climate variations.
• Sanctions & Strategic Export Control: Cargo must not originate from or be destined to restricted entities subject to UN, UAE, or applicable international trade sanctions.

4. Quotations, Tariffs, and Payment Conditions

4.1 Pricing Structure

Quoted rates are generated based on prevailing carrier tariffs, fuel surcharges (BAF/FSC), currency exchange benchmarks, and space availability at the time of issuance. Unless marked as fixed-contract pricing, freight quotes remain valid for 14 calendar days and are subject to equipment accessibility.

4.2 Ancillary Charges & Government Duties

Quotations exclude destination import duties, value-added tax (VAT), unexpected customs inspection costs, demurrage, container detention fees, storage surcharges at Dubai Cargo Village or Jebel Ali Port, and secondary quarantine holds, unless explicitly specified under Incoterms (e.g., DDP).

4.3 Settlement Terms

Standard invoices must be settled prior to cargo release or within approved enterprise credit lines. Unpaid balances beyond agreed maturity dates accrue commercial interest at the rate of 2% per month or the highest permissible statutory limit in the UAE.

5. UAE Customs Clearance Brokerage

As a specialized customs broker operating from Office 2056-A at Dubai Cargo Village, UKF Services files electronic customs declarations under authorized credentials. The Client appoints UKF Services as its legal customs proxy for processing import, export, transit, and freezone documentation.

The Client remains solely responsible for any statutory fines, document penalties, or duty re-evaluations imposed by Dubai Customs, Dubai Municipality, MOEI, or Ministry of Climate Change and Environment due to inaccurate cargo descriptions provided by the shipper.

6. Transit Timelines, Route Variations, and Force Majeure

All published transit schedules—including air cargo transit times (24–72 hours) and sea freight corridors (e.g., Jebel Ali to Tanjung Priok in 12–16 days)—are non-guaranteed operational estimates. UKF Services is not liable for schedule adjustments resulting from bad weather, port congestion, blank sailings, maritime canal blockages, security rerouting, customs audits, or force majeure events.

7. Carrier Liability and Limitation of Damages

7.1 Standard Statutory Limits

Where liability for physical cargo damage or loss is proven to have occurred directly while cargo was under our immediate physical custody, recovery is limited strictly to international transport conventions:

• Air Freight Movements: Governed by the Montreal Convention / Warsaw Convention limits (SDR 22 per kilogram).
• Ocean Freight Movements: Governed by the Hague-Visby Rules (SDR 666.67 per package or SDR 2 per kilogram of gross weight lost).
• Road & Local Transit: Limited to US $50.00 per consignment or the actual service fee earned on the specific transport leg, whichever amount is lower.

7.2 Exclusion of Consequential Loss

In no event shall UKF Services be held liable for indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages, including loss of business profit, factory stoppage fees, contract breach penalties, or market depreciation.

7.3 Comprehensive Marine Cargo Insurance

Because statutory carrier limitations cover only a fraction of high-value cargo worth, UKF Services strongly advises all global clients to secure All-Risk Marine Cargo Insurance. First-party transit insurance coverage can be bound upon formal written request prior to shipment dispatch.

8. Formal Claims Notification Protocol

Any notice of cargo damage, discrepancy, or shortage must be documented immediately upon delivery on the official transport proof of delivery (POD) receipt. Written formal claim filings must be submitted within seven (7) calendar days of cargo receipt for air cargo and within fourteen (14) calendar days for ocean freight. Failure to observe strict notice timelines forfeits the right to recover compensation.

9. General Maritime & Logistics Lien

UKF Services maintains a general and legal possessory lien over all physical cargo, bills of lading, airway bills, customs papers, and funds in our possession for all outstanding debts, operational balances, or storage costs owed by the Client, regardless of whether such amounts relate to the current cargo in transit or prior accounts.

10. Governing Law, Arbitration, and Contact Governance

These Terms of Service are governed exclusively by the federal laws of the United Arab Emirates and the commercial regulations of the Emirate of Dubai. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with logistics services that cannot be resolved amicably shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Dubai Courts or referred to the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).