Terms & Conditions

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern the relationship between Semliner Xpress Logistics Limited ("Semliner Xpress", "we", "our", or "us") and any person or business ("Client", "you", or "your") engaging us for logistics, customs clearance, freight forwarding, transport, warehousing, or related services.

By engaging our services — whether by email, WhatsApp, phone, or written instruction — you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not engage our services.

1. Definitions

• "Company" means Semliner Xpress Logistics Limited, registered in Uganda.
• "Client" means any person or business engaging our services.
• "Services" means customs clearance, freight forwarding, transport and haulage, warehousing, supply chain consulting, ASYCUDA support, and any related logistics work.
• "Cargo" means any goods, documents, or items we handle on your behalf.
• "Carrier" means any third-party shipping line, airline, road transporter, or warehouse provider we engage to move or store your cargo.
• "Customs Authority" means Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) or any equivalent authority in a jurisdiction where your cargo is processed.

2. Scope of Services

We provide logistics services as an organiser and coordinator. Unless expressly stated otherwise, we are not the carrier of your cargo and we are not the customs authority. We arrange, coordinate, and supervise the movement of your goods through third-party carriers, warehouses, and customs processes, using reasonable skill and care in doing so.

Specific services are confirmed by written quotation or written acceptance of a job instruction. Verbal instructions must be confirmed by email before we act on them.

3. Client Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

• Providing accurate, complete, and legally valid documentation for every shipment — commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, permits, licences, and any other documents required by customs or regulatory authorities
• Ensuring the description, value, quantity, and origin of goods declared to customs is accurate
• Obtaining any import or export licences, permits, or approvals required for your specific goods
• Paying all duties, taxes, and government charges assessed on your cargo, along with our agreed service fees
• Ensuring the cargo is properly packed, labelled, and prepared for transport, unless we have agreed in writing to provide packing services
• Informing us in writing of any special handling requirements, hazardous materials, temperature-controlled items, or high-value cargo before shipment
• Complying with the laws and regulations of Uganda and any transit or destination country applicable to your goods

4. Quotations and Pricing

Quotations are valid for 7 days unless stated otherwise in writing. Quotations are based on the information you provide at the time — cargo description, volume, weight, route, and current government charges.

A quotation is an estimate, not a fixed price, until we have received and reviewed the supporting documentation. The final price may vary if:

• Government duties, taxes, or customs fees change between quotation and lodgement
• The actual cargo differs in weight, volume, classification, or value from what was originally declared
• Additional services become necessary due to documentation issues, customs queries, or changes in scope
• Extended storage, demurrage, or detention charges are incurred because of delays outside our reasonable control

5. Payment Terms

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

• Government duties, taxes, port charges, and third-party fees must be paid in full before we lodge declarations or release cargo
• Our service fees are due within 7 days of invoice date
• Invoices are issued in US dollars or Ugandan shillings, as agreed at the time of quotation
• We reserve the right to charge interest on overdue amounts at 2% per month or the maximum permitted by law, whichever is lower
• Where a client has repeated overdue balances, we may require advance payment on future shipments
• If invoices remain unpaid, we reserve the right to hold cargo or documents as a lien until outstanding amounts are settled

6. Insurance and Cargo Liability

Cargo insurance is the client's responsibility. Semliner Xpress does not automatically insure cargo. We strongly recommend that clients obtain comprehensive cargo insurance covering the full value of their goods, including damage, loss, theft, and delay.

Our liability for loss or damage to cargo is limited as follows:

• We are not liable for loss, damage, or delay caused by third-party carriers, shipping lines, airlines, warehouses, or customs authorities, except where the loss is caused directly by our own gross negligence
• Where we are liable, our maximum liability per shipment is limited to the lower of (a) the value of our service fee for that shipment, or (b) the amount recoverable from the third-party carrier or insurer
• We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or economic losses, including lost profit, lost contracts, or market losses

7. Customs and Regulatory Compliance

We provide customs clearance services as a licensed clearing agent. We act based on the documentation you provide to us, and we do not independently verify the accuracy of values, classifications, or origins you declare.

If a customs authority raises a valuation query, requests additional documentation, or detains your cargo for inspection, we will assist you in preparing a response. However, we are not liable for penalties, fines, storage charges, or delays resulting from:

• Incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information provided by the client
• Under-declaration of value or mis-declaration of goods
• Missing permits, licences, or regulatory approvals
• Cargo that is prohibited, restricted, or controlled under Ugandan or international law
• Customs decisions made by URA or any other authority

8. Transport, Haulage, and Storage

When we arrange transport or storage on your behalf, we do so as an intermediary. We select carriers and warehouses we believe to be reputable, but we do not operate the trucks, vessels, aircraft, or warehouses directly.

Risk in the cargo passes to the client at the point of collection and remains with the client throughout transit, unless a separate written agreement states otherwise.

For bonded and warehouse storage, standard free storage periods apply and are communicated at the time of booking. Charges for storage beyond the free period are passed through at cost.

9. Delays and Force Majeure

We are not liable for any delay or failure to perform caused by events outside our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Customs clearance delays, URA queries, or cargo inspections
• Port congestion, berthing delays, or container availability issues
• Weather conditions, natural disasters, or road closures
• Strikes, labour disputes, or carrier operational failures
• Government action, regulatory changes, or political instability
• Epidemics, pandemics, or public health emergencies
• Bond defaults or border closures at either end of the corridor

10. Claims and Complaints

Any claim relating to our services must be submitted in writing within 14 days of the incident giving rise to the claim, or 14 days after delivery of the cargo, whichever is later. Claims submitted after this period may not be considered.

Claims should be sent to info@semlinerxpresslogistics.com with supporting documentation — invoices, photographs, damage reports, or correspondence with the carrier. We will investigate in good faith and respond within 30 days.

11. Termination of Services

Either party may terminate an ongoing services agreement with 30 days' written notice. However, termination does not release the client from payment obligations for work already performed or commitments already entered into on their behalf.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate services immediately if:

• The client provides false or fraudulent documentation
• The client refuses to pay agreed fees or government charges
• Continuing to act would place us in breach of customs, tax, or regulatory law

12. Intellectual Property

All content on our website — text, images, logos, graphics, and design — is owned by Semliner Xpress Logistics Limited or used under licence and is protected by copyright. You may not copy, reproduce, or republish any part of our website without written permission, except for personal, non-commercial reference.

13. Confidentiality

Both parties agree to keep confidential any commercial information shared during the course of our engagement — including pricing, supplier details, shipment values, and business relationships — and to use it only for the purpose of delivering the agreed services.

14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Uganda. Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or our services will first be addressed through good-faith negotiation between the parties. If negotiation fails, the dispute will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Uganda.

15. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our business, legal requirements, or industry practice. The version in effect at the time of your engagement is the version that applies. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page is revised when changes are made.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, or if you would like to discuss a specific aspect of our service agreement, please contact us: