Carriage Terms and Conditions for using Routely for Shipping & Logistics

Carriage Terms and Conditions for Shipping With Routely

Introduction

Routely System Ltd., Routely System Inc., and Routely (“Routely”) operate a technology-powered logistics orchestrating system designed to simplify local and international shipping for its ‘Users’, ‘Customers’, or ‘Shippers'

Routely coordinates shipments through a local & global network of verified delivery providers, freight forwarders, airlines, couriers, insurance partners, and logistics service providers (“Carriers”). Routely itself is not a transportation carrier but provides the infrastructure that enables easy & smooth shipment booking, coordination, documentation, handling, routing optimisation, and logistics support.

Routely works continuously with its partner network to present customers with competitive, cost-efficient, and simplified pricing wherever possible. Many shipment quotations may include bundled transportation elements and estimated handling or customs components where applicable. However, shipping outcomes, final charges, and clearance timelines remain dependent on accurate shipment information, carrier assessments, and regulatory requirements.

Routely’s proprietary systems are designed to support smoother shipment coordination and clearance processes; however, final clearance decisions remain solely with customs authorities and regulatory bodies. Successful execution depends on compliance with shipping rules, accurate declaration of goods, and adherence to applicable customs and carrier requirements.


Acceptance of Terms

By creating a Routely account, making a booking, using any Routely service, sending a shipment through Routely, using any partner warehouse address, or requesting booking assistance through any Routely communication channel, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

These Terms apply to all shipments whether:

  • booked online through ship.routely.co
  • initiated through RoutelyONE or via the Routely Shipping API
  • initiated manually,
  • arranged through customer support,
  • processed via the Routely mobile application “Routely: Shipping & Logistics” on Playstore or Apple Store.

Continued use of Routely services constitutes ongoing acceptance of these Terms and any future updates.

Routely reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time.


1. Agreement to Carrier Terms

Routely coordinates shipments using third-party logistics providers and carriers.

By shipping through Routely, you agree to also be bound by the individual carriage terms and conditions of any carrier handling your shipment. These partner terms may include liability limits, operational procedures, delivery policies, and claims processes.

Partner carriers include but are not limited to:

Carrier terms may be reviewed on their respective websites.


2. Pricing, Rates & Payment Terms

Cost-Efficient Pricing

Routely works with multiple logistics partners to negotiate competitive and cost-effective shipping options. While rates are structured to be affordable and simplified wherever possible, shipping pricing depends on carrier assessments, shipment characteristics, and regulatory requirements.

Rate Adjustments

All rates remain subject to change without notice due to:

  • carrier pricing updates,
  • fuel surcharges,
  • currency fluctuations,
  • operational or regulatory changes.

If actual shipment weight, dimensions, routing requirements, or address details differ from booking information:

  • charges may be recalculated,
  • additional invoices may be issued,
  • shipments may be held until outstanding balances are settled.

Customers will be notified promptly where adjustments arise.

Carrier Surcharges

Partner carriers may apply additional charges before booking, during transit, after delivery, or without prior notice, including:

  • fuel surcharges,
  • address correction fees,
  • failed delivery attempts,
  • unpaid customs duties,
  • irregular or non-conveyable shipment handling.

Irregular or non-conveyable shipments include items such as:

Shape & Structure

  • Cylinders, tyres, tubes, rolls, drums, spheres
  • Items likely to roll on conveyor belts
  • Protruding parts
  • Unstable weight distribution
  • Lack of flat transport surfaces

Size & Dimensions

  • Overlength packages (>120–140cm depending on courier)
  • Oversized dimensions (>70–76cm)
  • Length + girth exceeding carrier limits
  • Very thin items (<10–20mm)

Weight

  • Items exceeding automated handling limits (commonly 31kg–45kg)

Packaging Materials

  • Wooden crates
  • Plastic or metal containers
  • External strapping or loose wrapping
  • Unboxed or fragile goods

Typical examples include furniture, bicycles, appliances, metal crates, loose luggage, and artwork tubes.


Payment Obligations

The Customer is responsible for all shipment-related charges including:

  • freight,
  • duties and taxes,
  • customs processing,
  • handling,
  • warehousing,
  • insurance,
  • penalties,
  • administrative or legal costs.

Convenience fees may apply for electronic payments.

Routely may:

  • amend pricing where booking information is inaccurate,
  • re-invoice or deduct adjustments from the customer wallet,
  • apply carrier adjustments required to complete delivery.

All invoices are payable upon issuance unless otherwise agreed. Shipment release or delivery may be withheld until full outstanding charges are settled.

Billing disputes must be raised in writing within 30 business days. After this period, invoices are considered accepted and payable in full.


3. Customer Responsibilities — Shipment Preparation

Item Declaration

All shipments are handled strictly based on declared commercial value.

Sentimental or emotional value cannot be assessed or compensated, and all related claims are deemed waived upon shipment booking.

Customers are advised not to ship irreplaceable sentimental items unless they accept transportation risks.

Packaging Responsibility

Routely may provide general packaging assistance such as cartons, labelling, marking, or vacuum sealing; however, proper packaging remains the Customer’s sole responsibility.

Fragile goods must be packaged appropriately to prevent:

  • breakage,
  • leakage,
  • theft,
  • internal movement during transit.

Routely is not liable for damage caused by inadequate packaging.


Prohibited Items & Compliance

Customers must ensure shipments comply with:

  • Nigerian Customs regulations,
  • destination country laws,
  • international air or sea freight rules,
  • carrier restrictions.

Failure to comply may result in delays, confiscation, fines, or criminal prosecution. The Customer agrees to indemnify Routely against resulting losses.

Customers should consult official customs authorities, including:

Note: Routely may have this list updated periodically; however, this does not replace the official guidance from each country’s customs authority.


4. Shipment Protection, Declared Value & Claims

Shipment Protection

Shipment Protection is optional but required to access Routely’s 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

To qualify:

  • Shipment Protection must be selected and paid for,
  • clear images of shipped items must be uploaded,
  • accurate item values must be declared.

Without Shipment Protection, compensation is limited strictly to carrier liability limits.


Declared Value

The declared value at booking represents the maximum claimable amount.

Customers cannot increase declared values after shipment booking.

Claims may include:

  • declared item value,
  • shipping fees paid.

Claims Processing

Routely assists customers in filing claims but does not control claim outcomes or compensation amounts determined by carriers or insurance partners.

Claim processing may take 15–60 business days, depending on carrier investigations.


Commercial Value vs Emotional Value

All shipments are handled strictly based on declared commercial value.

Sentimental or emotional value cannot be assessed or compensated.

Customers are advised not to ship irreplaceable sentimental items unless they accept transportation risks.


5. Transit Times & Delivery Process

Transit times are estimates only and are not guaranteed.

Transit time begins from shipment dispatch, not booking date.

Delays may occur due to:

  • customs inspections,
  • weather conditions,
  • carrier backlogs,
  • holidays,
  • strikes,
  • regulatory inspections.

Routely is not liable for delays caused by carriers or external conditions.


Recipient Responsibilities

Recipients must be available at the delivery address.

If delivery fails:

  • carriers may attempt redelivery based on local policy,
  • shipments may be returned to sender,
  • shipper bears full return and handling costs.

Unless prepaid by the shipper, recipients are responsible for all customs duties and taxes.

Refusal to pay duties constitutes delivery failure and may result in return charges.

Customers should:

  • notify recipients in advance,
  • ensure prompt response to customs requests,
  • provide required identification or clearance documents.

Routely is not liable for delays or losses caused by recipient non-compliance.


6. Air & Sea Cargo / Freight Terms

These Terms apply to all cargo shipments arranged through Routely.

Rates & Transit

Cargo pricing is based on the greater of:

  • actual weight, or
  • volumetric weight (CBM for sea cargo).

Additional charges may apply for special cargo including vehicles, machinery, electronics, or commercial inventory.

Cargo shipments move in consolidated batches. Pickup and delivery dates are not guaranteed.

Express routes are recommended for time-sensitive or perishable items.

Routely is not liable for delays caused by partner operations, inspections, clearance procedures, port congestion, or government authority actions.


Hazardous Materials

Customers must disclose hazardous or regulated goods.

Failure to declare such items makes the Customer fully liable for penalties, fines, or legal costs.


Cargo Liability

Routely does not operate vessels or aircraft and does not act as a carrier.

Liability limits are governed by the selected freight carrier and applicable maritime conventions such as the Hague-Visby or Hamburg Rules.

Visible damage must be recorded at delivery.

Concealed damage must be reported within five (5) days.

Claims do not suspend payment obligations.

Cargo shipments are subject to inspection and regulatory review, and Routely shall not be liable for decisions made by customs authorities, including seizure, removal, or rejection of goods.

7. Use of Routely Partner Warehouse Addresses

Routely offers partner warehouse addresses in select countries to make importing to Nigeria easier and more affordable. To use these Partner Warehouse Addresses, the Customer accepts that when a package arrives at a partner warehouse, the following rules apply:
  1. Immediate Processing: Shipments may enter the export pipeline immediately upon arrival.
  2. Finalized Bookings: Once processing starts, routing and pricing are final and cannot be reversed.
  3. Automated Systems: Many warehouses use automated dispatch. They may process shipments without notifying Routely first.
  4. Cancellations: Because of this automation, packages may not be stopped, retrieved, redirected, or returned once received.
  5. Customer Responsibility: You are responsible for ensuring that any item sent to these addresses is correct and intended for export to Nigeria.
  6. Pricing: Customer agrees to accept Routely’s or Partner pricing terms, including pricing terms for items regarded as “Special Cargo”. In such cases, no prior estimate or quotation shall override final warehouse classification, pricing, or processing outcome for such shipment.

Shipment Notification

Customers must:

  • inform Routely of shipment details in advance,
  • confirm cargo eligibility,
  • obtain estimates where required.

Failure to notify Routely may result in additional costs, delays, or routing changes.


Special Cargo Classification

Certain goods are not treated as general cargo due to their nature, customs requirements, handling procedures, and clearance processes. These items fall under special cargo categories and are subject to fixed, category-based rates that differ from standard shipping pricing.

Such items include but are not limited to:

  1. gadgets
  2. smartphones
  3. electronics
  4. machinery
  5. vehicles
  6. bulk merchandise
  7. oversized cargo
  8. regulated or controlled items

These shipments are not priced using general rate tables and require dedicated handling, clearance procedures, and route-specific pricing determined by item type, destination, and operational requirements. Final classification and pricing method (weight-based or per-item fixed rate) is determined solely by Routely or its logistics partners depending on the nature of the shipment.

Customers are required to confirm applicable rates with Routely before dispatching or moving such items to any warehouse or pickup location as some of these items like smartphones and related gadgets are billed at a fixed rates per item and not priced by their weight.

Failure to confirm rates in advance means the Customer acknowledges and agrees that once such items are delivered to a Routely partner warehouse, the shipment may immediately enter the processing and export system and be dispatched to Nigeria without further notice.

Such pricing is deemed accepted once the shipment enters the warehouse processing system.

In such cases, the shipment will be billed based on the applicable special cargo rate determined by Routely or its logistics partners, and the Customer agrees to accept and pay all resulting charges in full. 


Shipment Identification & Supporting Documents

When using Routely Partner Warehouse Addresses for import shipments, on the shipment information page the Customer is required to:
  • clearly indicate each incoming package as a separate line item during booking, using the corresponding delivery tracking number for each package on each line item, so that Routely can accurately identify, match, and reconcile all shipments received at the warehouse; and
  • upload a valid invoice, receipt, or commercial document, clearly showing the list of items, item names, quantities, and their respective values.

Where multiple packages are being shipped under a single import arrangement, the Customer must ensure that the supporting invoice(s) clearly reflect the contents of each package or box where applicable.

This requirement is necessary to enable proper verification that all expected packages under a booking have been received, identified, and processed correctly at partner warehouses.

Failure to provide accurate line-item as tracking information and to upload complete supporting documentation (including invoices or any document showing the contents of the shipment(s)) may result in Routely being unable to verify shipment completeness. In such cases, Routely shall not be liable for any missing items, discrepancies, or losses arising from incomplete, inaccurate, or missing documentation provided by the Customer.


Acceptance of Partner Terms

Shipments delivered to partner warehouses become subject to partner operational policies.

Routely coordinates logistics but does not control internal warehouse timelines.


8. Platform Availability

Routely services are provided on an “as available” basis.

Routely is not liable for disruption caused by:

  • maintenance,
  • system outages,
  • payment processor failures,
  • third-party service interruptions,
  • telecommunications or internet failures.

9. Right to Refuse Service

Routely may refuse, suspend, cancel, or terminate shipments or accounts where:

  • shipment information is inaccurate,
  • prohibited items are involved,
  • compliance concerns arise,
  • payment obligations are unmet,
  • continued service creates operational, legal, or reputational risk.

10. Exclusion of Consequential Loss

Routely shall not be liable for indirect or consequential losses including:

  • loss of profit,
  • business interruption,
  • loss of market opportunity,
  • reputational damage.

Customers remain responsible for accurate declarations, documentation, regulatory compliance, and risk management decisions including purchasing Shipment Protection.


11. Force Majeure

Routely shall not be liable for failure to perform obligations due to events beyond its control including:

  • natural disasters,
  • acts of God,
  • war or political unrest,
  • strikes,
  • system failures,
  • port or airport shutdowns,
  • government authority actions.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

All disputes shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Lagos State.


13. Acceptance of All Terms

By creating an account, submitting a shipment, using any Routely platform, communication channel, or partner warehouse address, the Customer confirms that they:

  • have read and understood these Terms,
  • agree to be bound by them,
  • are authorised to act on behalf of the shipment owner where applicable,
  • accept full responsibility for shipment contents, declarations, compliance, and payment obligations.
  • have full authority or ownership rights over all goods being shipped,
  • are responsible for accuracy of all shipment data, descriptions, and documentation provided.
  • Routely reserves final authority on classification, routing, pricing adjustments, and shipment handling decisions where disputes arise from operational or regulatory requirements.

Continued use of Routely services constitutes ongoing acceptance of these Terms and any updates made thereto.

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