Terms and Conditions of Sale

ARTICLE 1: PURPOSE AND ENFORCEABILITY

These terms and conditions govern the contractual relationship between ADH CENTRE or AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT (the Freight Forwarder) and its Principal (the Customer). Any order placed implies unreserved acceptance of these GTC, which prevail over any terms and conditions of purchase of the Customer.

ARTICLE 2: DECLARATION AND CONFORMITY OF GOODS

The Client is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided (weight, dimensions, nature, HS code). The Client must provide goods that are packaged and labelled in accordance with international transport standards.

ARTICLE 3: LIABILITY AND LIMITATIONS OF COMPENSATION

The liability of ADH CENTRE and AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT is strictly limited to the ceilings set by international conventions or standard contracts in force. Unless a written and accepted ‘Ad Valorem’ declaration of value has been made, compensation is capped as follows :

Maritime (International) : According to the Hague-Visby Rules, compensation is limited to the higher of $2 SDR per kg or $666.67 SDR per package (or unit of cargo).
Air (International) : According to the Montreal Convention ($22 SDR per kg).
Road (International) : According to the CMR Convention ($8.33 SDR per kg).
Road (Domestic France) : According to the standard contracts of the Transport Code (e.g. €33/kg for shipments of less than 3 tonnes).
Commission error : If ADH CENTRE or AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT is liable for a service fault, compensation may not exceed the price of the transport service related to the dispute.

ARTICLE 4: AD VALOREM INSURANCE

In the absence of a written, specific and repeated order for each shipment, no insurance shall be taken out by ADH CENTRE or AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT. The Customer is informed that without ‘Ad Valorem’ insurance, he shall only be compensated up to the legal limits of Article 3.

ARTICLE 5: RIGHT OF RETENTION AND LIEN

ADH CENTRE has a right of retention and a general and permanent lien on all goods and documents in its possession to cover all of its claims, past or present, against the Customer (Art. L. 133-7 of the Commercial Code).

ARTICLE 6: TERMS OF PAYMENT

Invoices are payable in cash upon receipt. Any delay in payment shall automatically result in the application of late payment penalties and a fixed compensation for recovery costs.

ARTICLE 7: JURISDICTION

In the event of a dispute, only the Commercial Court of Tours for ADH CENTRE or the Commercial Court of Cusset for AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT shall have jurisdiction, even in the event of a warranty claim or multiple defendants.

ARTICLE 8: PROHIBITED GOODS AND CUSTOMER LIABILITY

8.1 Duty to provide information: The Customer is obliged to find out about the regulations in force in the countries of departure, transit and destination.
8.2 Prohibition: It is prohibited to entrust ADH CENTRE or AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT with prohibited goods (counterfeit goods, narcotics, illegal products, etc.). For regulated goods (hazardous materials, dual-use items), prior written agreement is mandatory.
8.3 Exclusion: ADH CENTRE or AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT cannot be held liable for the seizure or destruction of non-compliant goods. The Customer indemnifies ADH CENTRE or AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT against any fines or costs arising from such non-compliance.

ARTICLE 9: IMPACT OF DUTIES, TAXES AND EXPENSES

9.1 Payment guarantee: The Customer (Principal) is ultimately responsible for the payment of customs duties, VAT and costs incurred by ADH CENTRE or AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT.
9.2 Failure to collect: If duties and taxes are not paid by the consignee or a third party abroad (refusal, insolvency, dispute), these amounts will automatically be passed on and invoiced to the Customer, who undertakes to reimburse them on first request.

ARTICLE 10: PRICE REVISIONS AND FLUCTUATIONS

10.1 Validity of offers: The price quotations provided by ADH CENTRE and AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT are based on the carriers' rates (freight, surcharges, exchange rates) in force on the date the quotation is issued. Unless otherwise stated in writing, they are valid for a maximum period of 7 days, subject to the availability of equipment and space at the time of booking (Booking).

10.2 Surcharges and unforeseen circumstances: The final price will be increased by any oil surcharges (BAF, Fuel), security surcharges, high season surcharges (PSS) or emergency surcharges (GRI) imposed by carriers on the actual date of departure of the goods.

10.3 Currency fluctuations: If all or part of the service is invoiced in a foreign currency (e.g. USD), any exchange rate variation of more than 2% between the date of quotation and the date of invoicing will be reflected in the final price.

10.4 Unforeseen costs: The Customer undertakes to reimburse ADH CENTRE or AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT for all additional unforeseen costs related to the performance of the service (demurrage, waiting costs, customs inspections, route changes imposed by the carrier) upon presentation of supporting documents.

ARTICLE 11: ROAD TRANSPORTATION (OWN EQUIPMENT)

11.1 Waiting time (allowance): Unless otherwise agreed in advance, an allowance of 2 hours for loading and 2 hours for unloading is granted. Beyond this, vehicle and driver immobilisation costs will be invoiced according to the rates in force at ADH CENTRE and AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT (hourly waiting allowance).

11.2 Access to sites: The Customer guarantees that the loading and unloading locations are accessible to heavy goods vehicles (GVW standards) and comply with safety regulations. Any delay or inability to deliver due to unreported restricted access will be invoiced to the Customer.

11.3 Order cancellation: Any cancellation of transport less than 24 hours before the scheduled loading will result in the invoicing of a cancellation fee equal to 80% of the transport price (standby and immobilisation costs).

ARTICLE 12: LOADING, STOWAGE AND SEALING

12.1 Shipper's responsibility: In accordance with the law (Standard Contract), for shipments weighing 3 tonnes or more, loading, stowage and securing operations are the responsibility of the shipper. For coils, the sender must ensure that the stowage complies with the specific characteristics of the pit.

12.2 Verification by the driver: The driver shall verify that the load does not present any obvious defects. In case of doubt about safety, the driver is authorised to make specific reservations on the consignment note (CMR) or to refuse the load.

12.3 Sealing: Any fully loaded vehicle must be sealed by the sender. The seal number must be recorded on the transport document. ADH CENTRE and AFFRETEMENT DOUGLAS HUMBLOT decline all responsibility in the event of any missing items if the seal is intact on arrival.

Last updated : 6 février 2026