Legal
Terms of Service
These Terms of Service govern your access to and use of Shiips' website and the logistics services we provide. By using Shiips' platform or engaging our services, you agree to these terms and any additional service-specific agreements. The terms set out responsibilities related to bookings, documentation, compliance with trade laws, payment and billing, liability limitations, intellectual property rights, and dispute resolution. If you are contracting on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization. If you do not agree with these terms, do not use the platform or request services from Shiips. These terms are written to balance operational clarity and legal protections while enabling commercial logistics activity to proceed securely and predictably.
Scope of services and bookings
Shiips provides logistics services including but not limited to freight booking, carrier coordination, customs assistance, warehousing, and fulfillment. Service confirmations and quotations include the scope, estimated transit times, and pricing. Bookings are subject to carrier schedules, space and equipment availability, and compliance with applicable laws. Customers must provide accurate commodity descriptions, packaging information, declared values, and any documents required for cross-border movement. Shiips relies on customer-provided information to prepare bills of lading, customs filings, and insurance declarations; incorrect or incomplete information may lead to delays, fines, or additional charges, which the customer is responsible for. Where Shiips acts as an agent for the customer, we will act with reasonable skill and care consistent with industry standards. When Shiips acts as principal or issues documents in its own name, terms specific to that service will apply as referenced in the booking confirmation.
Payments, invoicing, and taxes
Charges for services are set out in quotes and invoices. Customers agree to pay all charges according to the payment terms specified in the invoice. Unless otherwise agreed, Shiips' invoices are due within the timeframes stated and may accrue interest on overdue amounts. Customers are responsible for customs duties, taxes, and governmental charges unless the invoice explicitly covers such amounts. Where third-party payments are required (for carriers, duties, or local charges), Shiips may obtain prepayment or place charges on the customer's account to satisfy carrier or broker requirements. Disputes over invoiced amounts must be raised promptly and in writing, but outstanding undisputed amounts must still be paid on time. Where collection action is required, the customer will be responsible for reasonable costs of recovery, as permitted by applicable law.
Liability and limitation
Shiips' liability for loss, damage, delay, or other failure in the performance of transportation services is governed by applicable international conventions, national laws, and any specific contract terms. Where such conventions apply (for example the Hague-Visby Rules, CMR, or the Montreal Convention), liability is limited or apportioned as those legal regimes specify. Where no convention applies, and unless agreed otherwise in writing, Shiips' liability for direct proven loss is limited to an amount consistent with industry standards and any agreed declared value. Shiips is not liable for indirect, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of business or profits, except where required by mandatory law. Customers are responsible for securing adequate insurance for high-value, fragile, or otherwise sensitive cargo where the statutory or contractual limits do not meet their risk profile. Claims must be presented within the timeframes required by carriers or applicable law to preserve rights against carriers and other providers.
Intellectual property and use of platform
All trademarks, service marks, logos, and proprietary content on the Shiips platform are owned or licensed by Shiips. Use of the platform grants a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access the services for business purposes. Customers must not reproduce, modify, distribute, or create derivative works from Shiips' proprietary content except as permitted by a written agreement. Customer-provided data remains the customer's property; customers grant Shiips a license to use such data to provide services, perform analytics, and improve the platform. Shiips may use aggregated, anonymized data for reporting and product development without identifying individuals or customers. Unauthorized use of the platform or attempts to access restricted areas may result in suspension of accounts and potential legal action.
Confidentiality and data protection
Both parties will treat non-public business information received in connection with the services as confidential and will not disclose it to third parties except as necessary to perform the services or as required by law. Shiips processes personal data to provide logistics services and operates in accordance with its Privacy Policy, which explains processing purposes, data subject rights, retention, and safeguards. Customers should ensure that they have the necessary authorizations to provide personal data to Shiips and its service providers. Data transfers that are necessary for cross-border shipments are subject to contractual safeguards and applicable legal requirements. In the event of a security incident creating a substantial risk to individuals' rights, Shiips will follow applicable notification obligations and coordinate with the customer as appropriate.
Termination, suspension, and amendments
Shiips may suspend or terminate services where a customer breaches these terms, fails to pay, or engages in unlawful activity. Termination does not relieve the customer from payment obligations incurred before termination. Shiips may amend these Terms of Service from time to time; material changes will be communicated to customers and posted on the website. Continued use of the platform after notice of changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. Specific service agreements may include additional termination rights and different notice periods; such provisions take precedence over these general terms.
Governing law and dispute resolution
These terms are governed by the laws specified in the customer's service agreement. Where no specific choice of law exists, disputes will be governed by the laws of the United States and resolved in the competent courts of San Francisco County, California, unless the parties agree to alternative dispute resolution. Parties will attempt to resolve disputes in good faith through negotiation and may pursue mediation as a step prior to litigation where practicable. Nothing in these terms limits either party's right to seek injunctive relief when necessary to protect rights or property.
Contact and notices
Notices relating to these terms should be sent to Shiips Logistics Ltd, 450 Market St, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States, or to [email protected]. For service-specific matters, customers should use the contact channels provided in their service confirmations or account dashboard. The corporate telephone number for general inquiries is +1 (415) 555-0199. Where notice is required by law, the method of delivery and effective dates will follow local legal requirements.