Terms & Conditions of Carrage
Last updated: 21st August 2026
These Terms and Conditions apply to courier, freight, packing and related logistics services supplied by Abacus Express Logistics Ltd (“Abacus”, “we”, “us” or “our”). By requesting a quotation, placing a booking or instructing us to handle a shipment, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.
1. BIFA Standard Trading Conditions
All business undertaken by Abacus Express Logistics Ltd is subject to the current BIFA Standard Trading Conditions 2025 – England Edition, which are incorporated into every quotation, booking, instruction and contract between Abacus and the customer.
The BIFA Standard Trading Conditions include important provisions concerning our rights and responsibilities, the customer’s obligations, payment, liens, time limits for claims and limitations or exclusions of liability.
The BIFA Standard Trading Conditions can be viewed on the BIFA website. A copy is also available from us upon request.
If there is any conflict between these website terms and the applicable BIFA Standard Trading Conditions, the BIFA Standard Trading Conditions will take precedence.
2. Quotations
Unless stated otherwise, quotations are based on the information supplied by the customer and remain subject to confirmation. A quotation may be revised if the shipment’s weight, dimensions, contents, collection or delivery location, timescale, required service or other relevant details differ from those originally provided.
Additional charges may apply for waiting time, failed collections or deliveries, address corrections, storage, customs procedures, duties, taxes, remote-area delivery, special handling or other services not included in the original quotation.
3. Booking and Acceptance
Submitting a request through this website or the Navigator booking system does not necessarily mean that a booking has been accepted. A contract is formed when Abacus or its authorised service provider confirms acceptance of the booking.
We may decline or cancel a booking where we cannot safely, legally or reasonably provide the requested service. If this happens, we will notify the customer as soon as reasonably practicable.
4. Customer Responsibilities
The customer is responsible for:
- Providing complete and accurate shipment, collection and delivery information;
- Accurately declaring the nature, quantity, weight, dimensions and value of the goods;
- Providing correct contact details for the sender and recipient;
- Ensuring that goods are lawful and suitable for transport;
- Providing all documents, licences, permits and customs information required for the shipment;
- Ensuring that somebody is available at the agreed collection and delivery locations where required; and
- Informing us in advance of any special handling, security, temperature or time-critical requirements.
Abacus will not be responsible for loss, delay, additional charges or other consequences resulting from incomplete, inaccurate or misleading information provided by the customer.
5. Packing and Labelling
Unless Abacus has specifically agreed to provide a packing service, the customer is responsible for ensuring that every shipment is appropriately packed, protected, sealed and labelled for its contents, weight, dimensions, handling requirements and intended method of transport.
We may refuse to collect or transport goods that we reasonably consider to be inadequately packed, unsafe or unsuitable for the requested service. Acceptance of a shipment does not necessarily confirm that its packaging is adequate.
6. Dangerous, Prohibited and Restricted Goods
Dangerous, hazardous, prohibited, restricted, perishable, valuable or otherwise sensitive goods must not be submitted for carriage unless they have been fully declared in advance and Abacus has expressly agreed in writing to handle them.
The customer is responsible for complying with all applicable packaging, labelling, documentation and transport regulations. Certain goods cannot be accepted, while others may require specialist arrangements and additional charges.
Please contact us before booking if there is any uncertainty about whether a shipment can be carried.
7. Collection and Delivery
Collection and delivery dates or times are estimates unless Abacus has expressly confirmed a guaranteed service in writing. Delivery times may be affected by traffic, weather, customs procedures, carrier operations, security checks and other circumstances outside our reasonable control.
A shipment may be delivered to the named recipient, another person at the delivery address, reception, a mailroom or another appropriate authorised location. Where permitted by the selected service, delivery may be recorded electronically or completed in accordance with the carrier’s delivery procedures.
Additional charges may apply where a collection or delivery cannot be completed because the address is incorrect, the goods are unavailable, access is restricted or nobody is available to receive the shipment.
8. International Shipments and Customs
The customer is responsible for supplying accurate customs declarations, commodity descriptions, values, country-of-origin information, tariff details, licences and any other documents needed for an international shipment.
Customs authorities may inspect, delay, refuse, seize or impose charges upon a shipment. Unless expressly agreed otherwise, the recipient or customer is responsible for all customs duties, taxes, clearance fees and related charges.
Guidance provided by Abacus does not constitute legal, tax or customs advice. The customer remains responsible for ensuring that the shipment complies with the laws and import requirements of every relevant country.
9. Third-Party Carriers and Service Providers
Abacus may arrange for services to be performed by independent carriers, agents, airlines, freight operators and other service providers. Shipments may therefore also be subject to the operational procedures or applicable conditions of the selected provider.
Where permitted under the applicable BIFA Standard Trading Conditions, Abacus may select and instruct such providers on the customer’s behalf.
10. Insurance and Liability
The amount recoverable for loss of, damage to or delay of goods may be limited and may be substantially less than the goods’ commercial or replacement value. The applicable exclusions and limitations of liability are set out in the BIFA Standard Trading Conditions and may also be affected by mandatory transport conventions or applicable law.
Insurance is not included unless it has been specifically requested, quoted for and confirmed in writing before collection.
Customers should not assume that carrier liability provides full insurance cover. Please contact Abacus before booking if additional insurance or other protection is required.
11. Charges and Payment
The customer is responsible for paying all agreed charges, together with any additional costs properly incurred in providing the service. Unless alternative credit terms have been agreed in writing, payment is required in accordance with the invoice or booking terms supplied by Abacus.
We reserve the right to charge interest and recovery costs on overdue amounts where permitted by the BIFA Standard Trading Conditions and applicable law.
12. Cancellations and Changes
The customer should contact Abacus as soon as possible if a booking needs to be changed or cancelled. Charges may apply if a driver or carrier has already been allocated, dispatched or has attempted collection, or if costs have otherwise been incurred.
Requested changes remain subject to availability and may affect the price or estimated delivery time.
13. Loss, Damage, Delay and Claims
Any apparent loss or damage should be reported immediately upon delivery and recorded on the delivery documentation where possible. All claims must be submitted to Abacus in writing, together with the booking reference and supporting evidence.
Strict notification and claim time limits apply under the BIFA Standard Trading Conditions and, where relevant, international transport conventions or carrier conditions. Failure to submit a claim within the applicable period may prevent it from being considered.
Customers should therefore notify Abacus of any potential claim without delay.
14. Events Outside Our Reasonable Control
Abacus will not be responsible for failure or delay caused by events outside our reasonable control. These may include severe weather, traffic disruption, accidents, industrial action, war, civil disturbance, government action, customs delays, border closures, security incidents, natural disasters, epidemics, system failures or disruption affecting a carrier or transport network.
15. Online Booking and Tracking
Online quotations, bookings, customer accounts and tracking facilities may be provided through the Navigator platform operated by Coda Commerce or through other third-party systems.
Tracking information is supplied for convenience and may not always reflect the shipment’s position in real time. Temporary interruption or unavailability of an online system does not alter the underlying contract of carriage.
16. Personal Information
We process personal information as described in our Privacy Policy. Information may be shared with carriers, agents, customs authorities and technology providers where necessary to arrange and manage a shipment.
17. Consumer Rights
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits any statutory rights that cannot legally be excluded. Where a customer is acting as a consumer, applicable consumer-protection law will take precedence over any conflicting provision.
18. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute arising from them, are governed by the law and jurisdiction specified in the applicable BIFA Standard Trading Conditions, subject to any mandatory law that applies.
19. Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms and Conditions or need to discuss a shipment before booking, please contact:
Abacus Express Logistics Ltd
Nucleus House, 2 Lower Mortlake Road, Richmond, United Kingdom, TW9 2JA
Email:info@abacusexpresslogistics.com
Telephone: 0208 330 7573
Company number: 06379768
Important: These website terms should be read together with
the BIFA Standard Trading Conditions 2025 – England Edition and any written quotation, service confirmation or account terms supplied by Abacus.