Freight & Liability Policy

1. How we ship

2. Freight booking and charges

• On CPT, CIP, CFR or CIF terms we book the freight and include it in the proforma invoice. On EXW, FCA or FOB terms the buyer books and pays the main freight.
• Freight quotes are based on chargeable weight (actual or volumetric, whichever is higher) and are valid for 7 days, as airlines and shipping lines change rates often.
• Surcharges announced by the carrier after booking, such as fuel or security surcharges, may be passed on at cost.
• Destination charges, import duty, taxes and clearance fees are paid by the buyer unless the order is on DAP or DDP terms agreed in writing.

3. When risk passes to you

Risk passes at the point set by the Incoterm on the proforma invoice, under Incoterms® 2020:

Under CPT, CIP, CFR and CIF we pay the freight, but the risk of loss or damage during the main journey is the buyer's. That is why insurance matters.

4. Insurance

• On CIP and CIF terms we insure the cargo for 110% of the invoice value, as Incoterms® 2020 requires, and send you the insurance certificate.
• On other terms we strongly recommend that you insure the cargo yourself, or ask us to arrange it at cost.
• Without insurance, recovery for loss or damage in transit is limited to what the carrier pays under its conventions, which is usually far below the value of seed.

5. Seed in transit

Seed is packed in sealed, moisture-proof packs inside export cartons, which protects it during normal transit times. Long waits in hot, humid warehouses or on open tarmac can still reduce germination. Please clear and collect shipments promptly and move the seed to cool, dry storage. See our Packaging & Labelling Standards.

6. Delays and customs holds

• Transit times given by airlines, shipping lines and couriers are estimates, not guarantees. We are not liable for delays caused by carriers, transhipment, weather, strikes, port congestion or inspections.
• Shipments can be held by customs or plant quarantine at destination if the import permit, phytosanitary declarations or labelling do not match local rules. Please send us your import permit before dispatch so we can match the documents.
• Storage, demurrage, re-inspection or destruction charges caused by delayed clearance or missing import documents are paid by the buyer.
• If a shipment is refused at destination for reasons outside our control, return freight and charges are paid by the buyer.

7. Carrier liability

Airlines, shipping lines and couriers limit their own liability by international conventions (such as the Montreal Convention for air cargo) and their conditions of carriage. These limits are based on weight, not on the value of the seed, so a claim against the carrier alone rarely covers a loss in full.

8. Making a claim

• Inspect the cartons when you collect them. If they are damaged, wet or short, write the problem on the delivery receipt or air waybill before signing.
• Send us written notice with photos within 7 days of arrival, and file a claim with the carrier and your insurer within their deadlines. For air cargo, damage must usually be reported to the airline within 14 days of receipt.
• We will give you the documents you need for the claim, such as the invoice, packing list and our dispatch records, and support you with the carrier.
• Quality claims about the seed itself follow our Export Terms of Sale.

9. Our liability

Where we are responsible for loss or damage before risk passes to the buyer, we replace the affected seed or refund its invoice value, at our choice. Our total liability is limited to the invoice value of the affected goods. We are not liable for crop loss, loss of profit or market, or any indirect or consequential loss, or for events outside our reasonable control.