Shipping & Quality Claim
Shipping Policy
Moving goods internationally is usually done by sea or by air. When shipping by sea, exporters can pick one of two shipping modes – Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL). When the consignment takes up an entire shipping container, it is called FCL shipping. This mode is suitable for large consignments that need to be transported in the shortest possible time by sea. Exporters with smaller consignments can share a container with other exporters and pay only for the volume they occupy. This is called LCL shipping and it is suitable for cargo of low or moderate volume that is not time-sensitive. Alternatively, exporters looking for the fastest mode of transportation may ship by air. Air freight is particularly suitable for time-critical and valuable cargo, though it is more expensive than shipping by sea.
Contrary to popular belief, the international shipping process does not start when a product is loaded onto a ship. It starts much earlier, when an importer identifies the need for that product and floats an enquiry to procure it. As such, the shipping process covers the flow of goods and documents from the place of origin to the place of destination. For the process to be completed successfully, the transfer of goods and documents from one party to another must be highly synchronised.
IN FRESH PRODUCE INDUSTRY QUALITY IS DETERMINED BEFORE LOADING & QUALITY IS ADHERED AS PER BUYER'S SPECIFICATION, SOMETIMES ITS SUPPORTED BY A PRE-SHIPMENT QC INSPECTION REPORT.
Quality Claim Policy
1. The Seller will have Fruit inspected by the relevant overseas Phyto or inspection authority at the time and place and at the cost of the Party as determined in accordance with the selected Incoterm;
2. Any dispute must be raised within 3 days of arrival at Port Of Arrival (POA) and/or within 48 hrs of the collection of the container at the POA (gate out date), unless alternative arrangements are agreed by the Seller in writing.
3. The Buyer further undertakes to submit an internal quality report, as per the Seller's Claim Policy, to the Seller within 3 working days of the receipt of the Fruit. Should quality problems be identified, an Independent Survey Company will be appointed by the Seller within a reasonable timeframe of being notified by the Buyer of a quality problem. A representative may be appointed to inspect the fruit in the same period. The Seller undertakes to forward the resulting report to the Buyer if and when requested by the Buyer.
4. The Buyer accepts that, the quality Industry Standard, as stated in the Seller's Claim Policy, on all fruit types and varieties, and no claim will be applicable if within the standards in the Sellers Claim Policy, unless the Buyer informs the Seller in writing of a differing standard required before shipping.
5. In the event of a quality dispute, the Buyer is to make sure that no affected pallets are sold until both parties agree on a course of action.
6. Should the quality of the Fruit be such that repacking is required, the Independent Survey Report will verify this. The Buyer must notify the Seller in writing that repacking is required, and the Buyer must get repacking permission from the Seller, which should be done within 24 hours of the Independent Survey being done. The cost of repacking must be negotiated and agreed to in writing between the Seller and the Buyer before repacking commences. Repacking of the fruit must commence within one working day after approval. The final repacking report must be supplied to the Seller with in 48 hours of repacking.
7. If the Buyer is responsible for any delays in the releasing/Clearing/collection of cargo at the Port of Arrival, and shelf life has been compromised as a result of the delay, the Buyer will have no right to a formal claim or dispute. Any storage in port over 7 days will require written permission by the seller on a per shipment basis.
8. The Seller's Claim Policy must be adhered to, failure will result in no claim or dispute being entertained by the Seller.