TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

These terms and conditions of service constitute a legally binding contract between the “Company” and the “Customer”. In the event the Company renders services and issues a document containing Terms and Conditions governing such services, the Terms and Conditions set forth in such other document(s) shall govern those services.

1. Definitions

a. “Company” shall mean Masterpiece International, Limited, LLC., its subsidiaries, related companies, agents and/or representatives;

b. “Customer” shall mean the person for which the Company is rendering service, as well as its agents and/or representatives, including, but not limited to, shippers, importers, exporters, carriers, secured parties, warehousemen, buyers and/or sellers, shipper’s agents, insurers and underwriters, break-bulk agents, consignees, etc. It is the responsibility of the Customer to provide notice and copy(s) of these terms and conditions of service to all such agents or representatives;

c. “Documentation” shall mean all information received directly or indirectly from Customer, whether in paper or electronic form;

d. Ocean Transportation Intermediaries” (“OTI”) shall include an “ocean freight forwarder” and a “non-vessel operating common carrier;”

e. “Third parties” shall include, but not be limited to, the following: “carriers, truckmen, cartmen, lightermen, forwarders, OTI’s, customs brokers, agents, warehousemen and others to which the goods are entrusted for transportation, cartage, handling and/or delivery and/or storage or otherwise;”

f. United States Customs and Border Protection (“Customs”) shall mean an agency of the United States of America;

g. Government Agencies shall mean all U.S. and foreign Governmental units other than Customs.

2. Applicability; Company as Agent

a. Any and all activities of the Company in the course of its business including any advice, information or service provided by the Company whether for compensation or not are undertaken subject to, and governed by, these terms and conditions except for those activities undertaken by the Company pursuant to the following documents if issued by Company with respect to such activities, in which case the terms and conditions of such documents shall apply and govern to the extent of any conflict with the provisions herein: (i) the Company’s U.S. domestic and international house air waybills relating to the consolidation and carriage of goods by air; (ii) the Company’s ocean bill of lading relating to the consolidation and carriage of goods by sea; (iii) the Company’s warehouse receipt relating to the consolidation and storage of goods in a warehouse owned or operated by Company; and (iv) the Company’s surface bill of lading relating to the consolidation and carriage of goods by road if and only if Company has named itself as the “Carrier” therein. The terms and conditions contained in the above listed documents shall apply to the respective services regardless of whether Customer received the document before or after the commencement of those services, and Customer hereby accepts those conditions for the services described in (i)-(iv) above.

b. Notwithstanding the foregoing, these terms and conditions shall govern Company’s liability with respect to its undertaking to file or submit any information, in any format, to any Government Agencies, organization or similar entity on Customer’s behalf and with Customer’s written authorization, whether in conjunction with the activities and pursuant to the terms detailed in Paragraph 2(a)(i)-(iv), above, or whether provided as a separate service by Company, for compensation or not.

c. Company may, in its sole discretion, amend these terms and conditions from time to time in which case the modified terms and conditions will take effect as of the date they are posted on the Company’s website. If the Customer wishes to contract with the Company otherwise, special arrangements can be made and revised prices quoted but such arrangements shall only become applicable if made in writing and signed by a director or officer of the Company. Any attempt by Customer to otherwise alter, amend or modify these Conditions shall be null and void.

d. The Company may act as a principal or as the agent of the Customer. The Company acts as agent of the Customer except where the Company issues a transport document or electronic record such as a bill of lading or air waybill naming Company as the “Carrier” and otherwise evidencing its obligation to deliver goods; it issues a warehouse receipt evidencing its acceptance of goods for storage at a facility owned or operated by Company; or the direct employees of the Company are physically handling the goods in the course of any service. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company acts as the “agent” of the Customer for the purpose of performing duties in connection with the entry and release of goods, post entry services, the securing of export licenses, the filing of export and security documentation on behalf of the Customer and other dealings with Customs and Government Agencies, including any filings made with any Customs or Government Agencies.

e. The liability of any entity included in the definition of “Company” herein is several and not joint, and in no event will any such entity be responsible for any acts or omissions of any third party, including, but not limited to any other entity included in the definition of “Company”.

3. Limitation of Actions

a. Unless subject to a specific statute or international convention, all claims against the Company for a potential or actual loss, must be made in writing and received by the Company, within ninety (90) days of the event giving rise to claim; the failure to give the Company timely notice shall be a complete defense to any suit or action commenced by Customer.

b. All suits against Company must be filed and properly served on Company as follows:

I. For claims arising out of ocean transportation, within one (1) year from the date of the loss;
II. For those claims arising from air transportation, within two (2) years from the date of the loss;
III. For claims arising out of the preparation and/or submission of an import entry(s), within seventy-five (75) days from the date of liquidation of the entry(s);
IV. For claims arising out of brokering or arranging domestic motor carrier transportation, within nine (9) months from the date of loss.
V. For any and all other claims of any other type, within two (2) years from the date of the loss or damage.

4. No Liability For The Selection or Services of Third Parties and/or Routes.
Unless services are performed by persons or firms engaged pursuant to express written instructions from the Customer, Company shall use reasonable care in its selection of third parties, or in selecting the means, route and procedure to be followed in the handling, transportation, clearance, delivery of the shipment, and other services arranged by Company; advice by the Company that a particular person or firm has been selected to render services with respect to the goods, shall not be construed to mean that the Company warrants or represents that such person or firm will render such services nor does Company assume responsibility or liability for any action(s) and/or inaction(s) of such third parties and/or its agents, and shall not be liable for any delay or loss of any kind, which occurs while a shipment is in the custody or control of a third party or the agent of a third party; all claims in connection with the Act of a third party shall be brought solely against such party and/or its agents; in connection with any such claim, the Company shall reasonably cooperate with the Customer, which shall be liable for any charges or costs incurred by the Company.

5. Quotations Not Binding.
Quotations as to fees, rates of duty, freight charges, insurance premiums or other charges given by the Company to the Customer are for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice; no quotation shall be binding upon the Company unless the Company in writing agrees to undertake the handling or transportation of the shipment at a specific rate or amount set forth in the quotation and payment arrangements are agreed to between the Company and the Customer.

6. Duty to Furnish Information.

a. For import Transactions at a reasonable time prior to the entry of goods into the U.S., the Customer shall furnish to the Company invoices in proper form and other documents necessary or useful in the preparation of the Customs entry and, also such further information as may be sufficient to establish, inter alia, the dutiable value, the classification, the country of origin, the genuineness of the merchandise and any mark or symbol associated with it, the Customer’s right to import and/or distribute the merchandise, and the merchandise’s admissibility, pursuant to U.S. laws or regulations. If the Customer fails to furnish such information in a timely manner or documents, in whole or in part, as may be required to complete the Customs entry or comply with U.S. laws or regulations, or if the information or documents furnished are inaccurate or incomplete, the Company shall be obligated only to use its best judgment in connection with the shipment and in no instance shall be charged with knowledge by the Customer of the true circumstances to which such inaccurate, incomplete, or omitted information or document pertains. Where a bond is required by Customs to be given for the production of any document or the performance of any act, the Customer shall be deemed bound by the terms of the bond notwithstanding the fact that the bond has been executed by the Company as principal, it being understood that the Company entered into such undertaking at the instance and on behalf of the Customer, and the Customer shall indemnify and hold the Company harmless for the consequences of any breach of the terms of the bond.

b. For an export transaction at a reasonable time prior to the exportation of the shipment the Customer shall furnish to the Company the commercial invoice in proper form and number, a proper consular declaration, weights, measures, values and other information in the language of and as may be required by the laws and regulations of the U.S. and the country of destination of the goods.

c. For an export or import transaction the Company shall not be responsible in any way or liable for increased duty, penalty, fine or expense unless caused by the negligence or other fault of the Company, in which event its liability to the Customer shall be governed by the provisions of paragraphs 7-23 below. The Customer shall be bound by and warrant the accuracy of all invoices, documents and information furnished to the Company by the Customer or its agent for export, entry or other purposes and the Customer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any increased duty, penalty, fine or expense including attorneys’ fees, resulting from any inaccuracy, incomplete statement, omission or any failure to make timely presentation, even if not due to any negligence of the Customer.

7. Reliance On Information Furnished.

a. Customer acknowledges that it is required to review all documents and declarations prepared and/or filed with Customs, other Government Agency and/or third parties, and will immediately advise the Company of any errors, discrepancies, incorrect statements, or omissions on any declaration filed on Customers behalf;

b. In preparing and submitting Customs entries, export declarations, applications, security filings, documentation, delivery orders, and/or export data to the Customs, Government Agencies, and/or a third party, the Company relies on the correctness of all documentation, whether in written or electronic format, and all information furnished by Customer; Customer shall use reasonable care to insure the correctness of all such information and shall indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any and all claims asserted and/or liability or losses suffered by reason of the Customer’s failure to disclose information or any incorrect, incomplete or false statement by the Customer or its agent, representative or contractor upon which the Company reasonably relied. The customer agrees that the Customer has an affirmative non-delegable duty to disclose any and all information required to import, export or enter the goods, or otherwise render services.

c. Customer acknowledges that it is required to provide verified weights obtained on calibrated, certified equipment of all cargo that is to be tendered to steamship lines and represents that Company is entitled to rely on the accuracy of such weights and to counter-sign or endorse it as agent of Customer in order to provide the certified weight to the steamship lines. The Customer agrees that it shall indemnify and hold the Company Harmless from any and all, losses, penalties or other costs resulting from any incorrect or questionable statements of the weight provided by the Customer or its agent or contractor on which the Company relies.

d. Customer acknowledges that it is required to advise Company in advance of its intention to tender hazardous material goods and that it will otherwise comply with all federal and international hazardous material regulations imposed on the offeror of any such cargo.

8. Declaring Higher Value to Third Parties

Third parties to whom the goods are entrusted may limit liability for loss or damage; the Company will request excess valuation coverage only upon specific written instructions from the Customer, which must agree to pay any charges therefor; in the absence of written instructions or the refusal of the third party to agree to a higher declared value, at Company’s discretion, the goods may be tendered to the third party, subject to the terms of the third party’s limitations of liability and/or terms and conditions of service.

9. Insurance
Unless requested to do so in writing and confirmed to Customer in writing, Company is under no obligation to procure insurance on Customer’s behalf; in all cases, Customer shall pay all premiums and costs in connection with procuring requested insurance.

10. Disclaimers; Limitation of Liability.

a. Except as specifically set forth herein, Company makes no express or implied warranties in connection with its services;

b. Subject to (d) below, Customer agrees that in connection with any and all services performed by the Company, the Company shall only be liable for its negligent acts, which are the direct and proximate cause of any injury to Customer, including loss or damage to Customer’s goods, and the Company shall in no event be liable for the acts of third parties; For claims arising out of ocean transportation, within one (1) year from the date of the loss;

c. In connection with all services performed by the Company, Customer may obtain additional liability coverage, up to the actual or declared value of the shipment or transaction, by requesting such coverage and agreeing to make payment therefore, which request must be confirmed in writing by the Company prior to rendering services for the covered transaction(s).

d. In the absence of additional coverage under (c) above, the Company’s liability shall be limited to the following:

I. where the claim arises from activities other than those relating to customs brokerage, $50.00 per shipment or transaction, or
II. where the claim arises from activities relating to “Customs business,” $50.00 per entry or the amount of brokerage fees paid to Company for the entry, whichever entry, whichever is less;

e. In no event shall Company be liable or responsible for consequential, indirect, incidental, statutory or punitive damages even if it has been put on notice of the possibility of such damages.

f. With respect to domestic transportation, Company shall not be liable for a motor carrier’s failure to maintain insurance or for the accuracy of any documentation furnished by a motor carrier to Company or Customer evidencing said coverage.

11. Advancing Money
All charges must be paid by Customer in advance unless the Company agrees in writing to extend credit to customer; granting credit to a Customer in connection with a particular transaction shall not be considered a waiver of this provision by the Company. The Company shall be entitled to revoke or reduce the credit limit or payment terms at any time.

12. No Responsibility for Governmental Requirements
It is the responsibility of the Customer to know and comply with the marking requirements of the United States, the regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and all other requirements, including regulations of Federal, state and/or local agencies pertaining to the merchandise. The Company shall not be responsible for action taken or fines or penalties assessed by any governmental agency against the shipment because of the failure of the Customer to comply with the law or the requirements or regulations of any governmental agency or with a notification issued to the Customer by any such agency.

13. Indemnification/Hold Harmless
The Customer agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold the Company harmless from any claims and/or liability, fines, penalties and/or attorneys’ fees arising from the importation or exportation of Customer’s merchandise; Customer’s breach of applicable law, rule or regulation; and/or any conduct of the Customer, including but not limited to the inaccuracy , reliance on, or compliance with any information or instructions supplied by or on behalf of Customer or its agent or representative, and further agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless against any and all liability, loss, damages, costs, claims and/or expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorney’s fees, which the Company may hereafter incur, suffer or be required to pay by reason of such claims; in the event that any claim, suit or proceeding is brought against the Company, it shall give notice in writing to the Customer by mail at its address on file with the Company.

14. C.O.D. or Cash Collect Shipments.
Company shall use reasonable care regarding written instructions relating to “Cash/Collect on Delivery (C.O.D.)” shipments, bank drafts, cashier’s and/or certified checks, letter(s) of credit and other similar payment documents and/or instructions regarding collection of monies but shall have no liability if the bank or consignee refuses to pay for the shipment.

15. Costs of Collection.
In any dispute involving monies owed to the Company by Customs, the Company shall be entitled to all costs of collection, including its reasonable attorney’s fees and interest at 15% per annum or the highest rate allowed by law, whichever is less, unless a lower amount is agreed to by Company.

16. General Lien And Right To Sell Customer’s Property.

a. Company shall have a general and continuing lien on any and all property and documents relating thereto of Customer coming into Company’s or its third parties’ actual or constructive possession, custody or control or enroute, which lien shall survive delivery, for all charges, expenses or advances owed to Company with regard to the shipment on which the lien is claimed, a prior shipment(s) and/or both. Customs duties, transportation charges, and related payments advanced by the Company shall be deemed paid in trust on behalf of the Customer and treated as pass through payments made on behalf of the Customer for which the Company is acting as a mere conduit.

b. Company shall provide written notice to Customer of its intent to exercise such lien, the exact amount of monies due and owing, as well as any on-going storage or other charges; Customer shall notify all parties having an interest in its shipment(s) of Company’s rights and/or the exercise of such lien.

c. Unless, within thirty days of receiving notice of lien, Customer posts cash or letter of credit at sight, or, if the amount due is in dispute, an acceptable bond equal to 110% of the value of the total amount due, in favor of Company, guaranteeing payment of the monies owed, plus all storage charges accrued or to be accrued, Company shall have the right to sell such shipment(s) at public or private sale or auction and any net proceeds remaining thereafter shall be refunded to Customer.

17. No Duty to Maintain Records for Customer
Customer acknowledges that pursuant to Sections 508 and 509 of the Tariff Act, as amended, (19 USC §1508 and §1509) it has the duty and is solely liable for maintaining all records required under the Customs and/or other laws and regulations of the United States; unless otherwise agreed to in writing, the Company shall only keep such records that it is required to maintain by statute(s) and/or regulation(s), but not act as a “recordkeeper” or “recordkeeping agent” for Customer.

18. Obtaining Binding Rulings, Filing Protests, etc.
Unless requested by Customer in writing and agreed to by the Company in writing, the Company shall be under no obligation to undertake any pre- or post- Customs release action, including, but not limited to, obtaining binding rulings, advising of liquidations, filing of petition(s) and/or protests, etc.

19. No Duty To Provide Licensing Authority
Unless requested by Customer in writing and agreed to by the Company in writing, Company shall not be responsible for determining licensing authority or obtaining any license or other authority pertaining to the export from or import into the United States.

20. Preparation and Issuance of Bills of Lading.
Where Company prepares and/or issues a bill of lading, Company shall be under no obligation to specify thereon the number of pieces, packages and/or cartons, etc.; unless specifically requested to do so in writing by Customer or its agent and Customer agrees to pay for same, Company shall use the weight supplied by Customer.

21. No Modification or Amendment Unless Written.
These terms and conditions of service may only be modified, altered or amended in writing signed by both Customer and Company; any attempt to unilaterally modify, alter or amend same shall be null and void.

22. Compensation of Company.
The compensation of the Company for its services shall be included with and is in addition to the rates and charges of all carriers and other agencies selected by the Company to transport and deal with the goods and such compensation shall be exclusive of any brokerage, commissions, dividends, or other revenue received by the Company from carriers, insurers and others in connection with the shipment. On ocean exports, upon request, the Company shall provide a detailed breakout of the components of all charges assessed and a true copy of each pertinent document relating to these charges. In any referral for collection or action against the Customer for monies due the Company, upon recovery by the Company, the Customer shall pay the expenses of collection and/or litigation, including a reasonable attorney fee.

23. Force Majeure.
Company shall not be liable for losses, damages, delays, wrongful or missed deliveries or nonperformance, in whole or in part, of its responsibilities under the Agreement, resulting from circumstances beyond the control of either Company or its sub -contractors, including but not limited to: (i) acts of God, including flood, earthquake, tornado, storm, hurricane, power failure, pandemic, epidemic or other severe health crisis, or other natural disaster; (ii) war, hijacking, robbery, theft or terrorist activities; (iii) incidents or deteriorations to means of transportation, (iv) embargoes, (v) civil commotions or riots, (vi) defects, nature or inherent vice of the goods; (vii) acts, breaches of contract or omissions by Customer, Shipper, Consignee or anyone else who may have an interest in the shipment, (viii) acts by any government or any agency or subdivision thereof, including denial or cancellation of any import/export or other necessary license, quarantine or shutdown; or (ix) strikes, lockouts or other labor conflicts. In such event, Company reserves the right to amend any tariff or negotiated freight or logistics rates, on one day’s notice, as necessary to provide the requested service.

24. Severability
In the event any Paragraph(s) and/or portion(s) hereof are found to be invalid and/or unenforceable, then in such event the remainder hereof shall remain in full force and effect. Company’s decision to waive any provision herein, either by conduct or otherwise, shall not be deemed to be a further or continuing waiver of such provision or to otherwise waive or invalidate any other provision herein.

25. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue.
These terms and conditions of service and the relationship of the parties shall be construed according to the laws of the State of New York, without giving consideration to principles of conflict of law. Customer and Company

a. irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court and the State courts of New York;

b. agree that any action relating to the services performed by Company, shall only be brought in said courts;

c. consent to the exercise of in personam jurisdiction by said courts over it, and

d. further agree that any action to enforce a judgment may be instituted in any jurisdiction.