General Terms of Business (Terms and Conditions)
Effective as of: January 2025

Section 1: Scope and Applicable Law

  1. These General Terms of Business (hereinafter “Terms and Conditions”) apply to:

    • Transport contracts, including freight, forwarding, and storage agreements.

    • Contracts for associated logistical services rendered as part of these agreements.

  2. Unless expressly stated otherwise in these Terms and Conditions, the General German Forwarders’ Conditions (ADSp) apply as supplementary provisions.

  3. Contracts covered under these Terms and Conditions are governed by Hong Kong law. However, if international conventions with mandatory application apply, such as:

    • The Montreal Convention, Warsaw Convention, or related protocols for air transport.

    • The Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR).

    • The Uniform Rules Concerning the Contract of International Carriage of Goods by Rail (CIM).

    • The Hague-Visby Rules, Hamburg Rules, or other conventions/national statutes governing sea transport,
      such conventions will take precedence.

Section 2: Formation of Contract and Scope of Services

  1. Unless otherwise stated, contracts come into effect when 24 Hours Express Ltd. accepts the customer’s order, including orders placed by telephone.

  2. 24 Hours Express Ltd.’s primary services include the collection, transportation, customs clearance, and delivery of goods (hereinafter collectively referred to as “carriage”). Additional services will only be provided if expressly agreed upon in advance.

Section 3: Restrictions on Carriage and Shipper Responsibility

  1. 24 Hours Express Ltd. will not transport or provide services for goods prohibited under IATA, ICAO, or other legal and safety regulations. Excluded goods include but are not limited to:

    • High-value items: Money, precious metals, jewelry, securities, antiques, etc.

    • Consumer electronics, weapons, hazardous materials, perishable goods, and live animals.

    • Goods violating international or national laws (e.g., ivory, wildlife products, or restricted substances).

  2. Shipments must comply with aircraft transport regulations, including weight and size restrictions.

  3. 24 Hours Express Ltd. accepts only locked or sealed shipments but reserves the right to inspect the contents if necessary.

  4. Contracts for restricted goods require prior written approval from 24 Hours Express Ltd. management.

  5. The shipper assumes all risks for shipments violating these restrictions and is liable for any resulting damages, costs, or losses incurred by 24 Hours Express Ltd. or third parties.

Section 4: Pricing and Payment Terms

  1. Pricing for carriage and related services must be agreed upon separately.

  2. All prices are subject to statutory VAT.

  3. Invoices must be paid within 8 calendar days of receipt without deductions.

Section 5: Transport Disruptions

In the event of transport disruptions (e.g., delays, breakdowns), 24 Hours Express Ltd. may adjust the carriage plan to ensure timely and secure delivery. Any additional costs incurred will be the responsibility of the customer.

Section 6: Shipper Responsibilities

The shipper is responsible for providing accurate and complete shipment details, including the content, quantity, weight, value, and delivery addresses.

Section 7: Packaging Requirements

  1. The shipper must ensure goods are properly packed to prevent damage or loss during transport, particularly in air freight.

  2. 24 Hours Express Ltd. reserves the right to modify or repackage shipments if necessary, though it is not obligated to do so.

Section 8: Customs Clearance

  1. 24 Hours Express Ltd. will handle customs clearance only if expressly requested by the customer and provided with the necessary authorization.

  2. The shipper must supply complete and accurate documentation for customs purposes.

  3. The shipper bears all customs-related costs, including duties, taxes, and fines, even if 24 Hours Express Ltd. is instructed to collect these costs from the recipient.

Section 9: Delivery Terms

  1. Delivery is considered complete upon receipt of the shipment by the recipient, confirmed by a signature.

  2. If delivery fails on the first attempt, 24 Hours Express Ltd. will attempt redelivery after consulting the shipper. Any additional costs incurred will be charged to the shipper.

  3. Delivery timelines are subject to unforeseen circumstances, such as strikes, customs delays, or flight schedule changes.

Section 10: Amendments to Orders

Any changes to the original carriage order will incur additional costs, which will be charged to the shipper.

Section 11: Transport Insurance

  1. 24 Hours Express Ltd. will only arrange transport insurance if explicitly requested in writing by the shipper, specifying the insured value and risks to be covered.

  2. Shipments already insured elsewhere cannot be insured by 24 Hours Express Ltd.

  3. High-value shipments exceeding liability limits can be insured for an additional fee, up to a maximum value of USD 1,000,000.

Section 12: Right of Lien and Retention

  1. 24 Hours Express Ltd. reserves a right of lien and retention on goods for outstanding claims related to the contract.

  2. The right of lien does not apply to goods not owned by the shipper unless 24 Hours Express Ltd. has reason to believe otherwise.

Section 13: Liability

  1. 24 Hours Express Ltd.’s liability is governed by applicable national and international provisions, as outlined in Section 1.

  2. Customers may request an increase in liability limits for an additional fee, subject to separate agreement.

Section 14: Data Protection

24 Hours Express Ltd. may collect, process, and share shipment-related data with third parties (e.g., customs authorities, subcontractors) as necessary to fulfill the contract. All data handling complies with applicable data protection regulations.

Section 15: Claims and Disputes

Claims against 24 Hours Express Ltd. must be filed promptly, preferably in writing, in accordance with applicable legal provisions.

Section 16: Jurisdiction

  1. Jurisdiction is determined by the provisions outlined in Section 1. Where permissible, Hong Kong, China, is agreed as an additional place of jurisdiction.

Section 17: Severability Clause

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will remain unaffected and enforceable.