These Terms of Carriage apply to all confirmed transport services arranged by Taylor-MADE Transport.
The customer appoints TMT to arrange and manage the transport of goods. TMT engages suitable approved transport partners to perform the carriage. The customer deals with TMT throughout; TMT remains the customer’s point of contact for the job.
A booking is confirmed only when TMT has issued a written quotation and the customer has accepted it. Quotations are based on the load, route, dates and service requirements described by the customer; material changes may affect the price.
The customer is responsible for providing accurate information regarding the nature, quantity, dimensions and weight of the goods.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the customer and/or loading party must ensure that the goods are properly prepared, packaged, loaded and secured for transport.
All loads must comply with applicable South African road-traffic, vehicle, axle-mass, gross vehicle mass and gross combination mass requirements.
A vehicle’s advertised or nominal capacity does not automatically represent its legal payload. The actual legal payload must be determined according to the specific vehicle and trailer configuration, tare mass, applicable legal limits and axle loadings.
TMT and its transport partners reserve the right to refuse or reduce a load where the goods would exceed legal or safe limits.
The customer must describe the goods accurately, ensure they are properly packed and labelled, and provide safe and lawful access for collection and delivery. Hazardous, illegal or prohibited goods must be declared in advance.
TMT will use reasonable endeavours to meet agreed collection and delivery windows. Estimated times are not guaranteed where delays arise from circumstances beyond TMT’s reasonable control, including weather, road conditions, border delays and breakdowns.
Delivery will normally be evidenced by a signed proof of delivery (POD), electronic confirmation or other reasonable delivery evidence.
The customer should inspect the goods on delivery and notify TMT of any visible loss, shortage or damage as soon as reasonably possible and, where applicable, record the issue on the POD.
Any claim relating to loss, shortage or damage should be submitted to TMT as soon as reasonably possible with supporting documentation, photographs, PODs and any other information reasonably required to investigate the claim.
Concealed damage should be reported to TMT promptly after discovery.
TMT will coordinate the investigation with the relevant transport partner and/or insurer. Nothing in this section constitutes an admission of liability by TMT.
The insurance arrangements applicable to each transport booking will be confirmed before collection where applicable.
TMT works with approved transport partners who are required to maintain appropriate insurance and compliance documentation for the services they perform.
The applicable goods-in-transit insurance cover, limits, exclusions and any additional insurance requirements will depend on the specific booking and must be confirmed in writing where applicable.
Customers should disclose the nature and value of the goods accurately and notify TMT before collection of any special insurance or risk requirements.
Cancellation or postponement of a confirmed booking may result in charges where TMT or its transport partner has already committed costs, dispatched a vehicle, incurred waiting time or otherwise incurred expenses in preparation for the transport.
Any applicable cancellation or postponement charges will be communicated to the customer where reasonably practicable.
For cross-border transport, the customer is responsible for providing accurate and complete commercial, customs, permits and other documentation reasonably required for the movement of the goods.
TMT and its transport partners will use reasonable endeavours to facilitate the transport, but TMT is not responsible for delays, additional costs or refusal of entry arising from customs, border authorities, incorrect or incomplete documentation, permits, duties, inspections or other matters outside TMT’s reasonable control.
Any additional border, customs, permit, waiting, storage or related charges will be dealt with in accordance with the quotation or as otherwise agreed in writing.
Charges are as quoted and confirmed in writing.
Additional charges may apply where agreed or where reasonably incurred as a result of changes to the original booking, including waiting or standing time, additional stops, route changes, loading or unloading requirements, tolls, border-related costs, storage, re-delivery, cancellation or other additional services.
Any applicable additional charges will be communicated to the customer where reasonably practicable.