Shipping Terms

1. TradeWind’s Role

TradeWind is a shipping label technology platform, not a carrier, freight forwarder, or postal operator.

When you generate a shipping label through TradeWind, you are purchasing a transportation service directly from the selected carrier (UPS, Royal Mail, FedEx, DPD, Evri, DHL, or other available carriers). TradeWind acts as an intermediary facilitating the label purchase and providing a unified interface across multiple carriers.

The contract of carriage is between you and the carrier. TradeWind is not a party to that contract and does not assume carrier obligations, including liability for loss, damage, or delay of shipments.

2. Carrier Terms and Conditions

Each shipment is governed by the selected carrier’s terms and conditions of carriage. By generating a label, you accept the applicable carrier terms. Key carrier terms documents include:

• UPS: UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service (ups.com)
• Royal Mail: Royal Mail Terms and Conditions (royalmail.com)
• FedEx: FedEx Conditions of Carriage (fedex.com)
• DPD: DPD General Terms and Conditions (dpd.co.uk)
• Evri: Evri Terms and Conditions (evri.com)
• DHL Express: DHL Express Terms and Conditions of Carriage (dhl.com)

It is your responsibility to review and understand the applicable carrier terms before booking a shipment. Carrier terms may include restrictions on goods, packaging requirements, weight/size limits, and liability exclusions.

3. Carrier Service Restrictions

Each carrier service has its own restrictions on service area, maximum weight, maximum dimensions, and acceptable contents. Service availability is validated at the point of booking; if the selected service cannot be used for a given shipment, the label will not be generated and no charge will be applied. Where possible the platform will suggest an alternative service.

Per-service weight and dimension limits are shown on the Rates page in your dashboard and may change from time to time. The most significant service area restriction on the platform today is set out below.

3.1 UPS Worldwide Economy (WWE) — US Service Area

UPS Worldwide Economy ships to the contiguous 48 United States and the District of Columbia only. The following US destinations are not serviced by UPS Worldwide Economy:

• Alaska (AK)
• Hawaii (HI)
• Puerto Rico (PR)
• US Virgin Islands (VI)
• Guam (GU)
• American Samoa (AS)
• Northern Mariana Islands (MP)
• US military addresses (APO / FPO / DPO)
• PO Boxes

Shipments to these destinations must be booked via an alternative service such as UPS Standard, Royal Mail International Tracked / Signed, or FedEx International. The platform will reject a UPS Worldwide Economy booking to an unsupported destination at validation time; no label is produced and no charge is raised. See section 1 of the Refund Policy for the treatment of rejected bookings.

3.2 Other Service Restrictions

Other carrier services may have their own service area, weight, or content restrictions (for example Royal Mail domestic-only services, or FedEx limits on lithium batteries). Refer to the Rates page for current per-service specifics and to the carrier’s own terms for the definitive rules.

4. Carrier Liability Limits

Each carrier has standard liability limits for loss or damage. These limits apply unless you have purchased additional insurance. Typical standard liability limits include:

Important: These figures are indicative and may change. Always check the current carrier terms for the definitive liability limits. TradeWind does not guarantee the accuracy of the above figures.

5. Insurance Coverage

5.1 Standard Carrier Liability

All shipments are covered by the carrier’s standard liability as described in section 4. This is not insurance but rather the carrier’s contractual liability for loss or damage.

5.2 Optional Pass-Through Insurance (XCover)

TradeWind offers optional shipping insurance through XCover, a third-party insurance provider. This insurance supplements the carrier’s standard liability and may provide higher coverage limits.

• Insurance is offered on a per-shipment basis at the point of label generation
• The insurance contract is between you and XCover; TradeWind facilitates the purchase
• Coverage terms, exclusions, and claims processes are governed by XCover’s policy documents
• You will receive a certificate of insurance from XCover for insured shipments
• Claims under XCover insurance are handled directly through XCover’s claims portal

5.3 Declared Value

Some carriers offer declared value coverage for an additional fee, which is separate from third-party insurance. This is arranged directly with the carrier through the label generation process where available. Declared value coverage is subject to the carrier’s terms and exclusions.

6. International Shipping and Customs

6.1 Customs Documentation

For international shipments, you are responsible for providing accurate customs information, including:

• Correct HS/tariff codes for each item
• Accurate descriptions of goods in English
• Truthful declared values in the appropriate currency
• Country of origin/manufacture for each item
• Required licences or permits for controlled goods

TradeWind generates customs documentation based on the information you provide. You are solely responsible for the accuracy of this information. False or misleading customs declarations are a criminal offence.

6.1.1 Manual Edits to Order Items

The Service allows you to add, remove, edit and override item details (SKU, name, declared value, weight, HS/tariff code, country of origin, customs description) on an order before a label is booked. Any such edit is your declaration to the customs authority of the destination country at the moment the label is generated. By editing or confirming items you represent and warrant that:

• The values, weights, HS codes, descriptions and country-of-origin shown on the order accurately reflect the goods being shipped at the time of booking;
• You have not under-declared value or mis-classified goods to reduce duty, tariff, VAT or other taxes;
• The shipment does not contain items beyond those listed on the order page, and the quantity shipped matches the quantity declared.

You acknowledge that under-declaring value, mis-stating HS codes or omitting items is unlawful and may result in seizure, fines, criminal prosecution and the suspension of your account on the Service. TradeWind is not party to your declaration: you are.

6.2 Duties, Taxes, and DDP Terms

For services offering Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), duties and taxes are prepaid at the point of label generation and included in the shipping cost. The recipient should not be charged additional customs fees on DDP shipments. However:

• DDP availability varies by carrier, service, and destination country
• Some destinations may not support DDP; in such cases, Delivered At Place (DAP) terms apply and the recipient is responsible for duties and taxes on delivery
• Duty and tax estimates are calculated based on the information you provide and the destination country’s tariff schedule; actual charges may vary
• If actual duties exceed the estimated amount on a DDP shipment, you may be invoiced for the difference

6.2.1 Customs Reassessment, Fines and Reverse Charges

Customs authorities may reassess any shipment after it has been booked. Where the authority determines that the declared value, HS code, description, country of origin or item list was inaccurate, and as a result charges TradeWind or its carrier partners additional duty, tariff, VAT, handling fees, fines or penalties (including but not limited to UPS address-correction charges, HMRC post-clearance demands, U.S. Customs and Border Protection penalties, and equivalent charges in other jurisdictions), you agree that:

• The full amount of any such charge will be invoiced to your account, or charged to your saved payment method on file, without further notice;
• You will reimburse TradeWind for any administrative cost reasonably incurred in processing the reassessment;
• You indemnify TradeWind, its officers, employees and carrier partners against any claim, loss, fine, seizure or third-party action arising from inaccurate or misleading customs information you provided through the Service;
• Repeated reassessments arising from inaccurate declarations may result in your account being suspended or terminated.

6.3 Export Controls

You are responsible for complying with all applicable export control laws, including UK Export Control Act 2002 and any applicable dual-use regulations. If goods require an export licence, you must obtain this before shipping.

7. Prohibited and Restricted Items

Certain items are prohibited from being shipped through the Service. For a comprehensive list, please refer to our Acceptable Use Policy.

In addition to our own restrictions, each carrier maintains its own list of prohibited and restricted items. You must check the applicable carrier’s prohibited items list before shipping. If an item is prohibited by the carrier, generating a label through TradeWind does not authorise you to ship it.

7.1 Inspection, Hold and Disposal

Carriers may, at their sole discretion and in accordance with their own terms of carriage, open, X-ray, scan or otherwise inspect any parcel tendered through the Service. Where a carrier, customs authority or other competent body discovers or reasonably suspects that a parcel contains a prohibited or restricted item, contains contents that materially differ from those declared, has been inadequately packaged, or otherwise breaches these Shipping Terms or the carrier’s own conditions, the parcel may be:

• Held, quarantined or impounded until the matter is resolved;
• Returned to sender at your cost (including any reverse-charge under Section 6.2.1);
• Surrendered to the relevant authority; or
• Destroyed without compensation.

You will have no claim against TradeWind for the value of goods lawfully held, returned, surrendered or destroyed under this Section 7.1, and any costs (storage, return haul, destruction fees, brokerage) charged to TradeWind by the carrier or authority will be passed through to you under our right of set-off (Terms of Service, Section 4.5).

7.2 Right to Refuse or Hold a Booking

We may, at our discretion and without liability, refuse a booking, suspend label generation, or hold a manifested shipment from despatch where: (a) we reasonably suspect the contents, declared values, HS codes or destination breach these Terms or applicable law; (b) any sum is overdue from you under any TradeWind invoice, payment retry, or reverse-charge; (c) a carrier has notified us of a billing dispute, account freeze or investigation involving your prior shipments; or (d) we are required to do so by a carrier, regulator or court order. Where a hold is lifted, we will resume processing without further charge; where a hold leads to cancellation, the unused portion of the label charge will be credited to your account in accordance with the Refund Policy.

8. Packaging and Labelling

You are responsible for:

• Packaging goods securely and appropriately for the mode of transport
• Using packaging that meets the carrier’s requirements for the service selected
• Ensuring labels are printed clearly and affixed securely to the package
• Including all required documentation (customs forms, dangerous goods declarations) inside or with the package
• Removing or covering any old labels or barcodes from reused packaging

Carriers may refuse, return, or surcharge parcels that do not meet their packaging standards. TradeWind is not liable for issues caused by inadequate packaging.

8.1 Booking-Time Warranty: Weight, Dimensions and Contents

By booking a label you represent and warrant that, at the moment of booking:

• The weight, length, width and height entered (or imported via API or order-source integration) match the actual packed parcel within the tolerance the carrier permits for the selected service;
• The declared parcel value reflects the true commercial value of the goods inside;
• The goods inside the parcel match the items, quantities and descriptions on the order at the moment the label is generated — nothing has been added, substituted or upgraded after the manifest is created;
• The packaging is sufficient to withstand normal handling on the carrier network selected, including conveyor sortation, mechanised handling and stacking, without protection given to the goods solely by “fragile”, “this way up” or similar markings.

Breach of this warranty — including under-declared dimensions, under-declared weight, inadequate packaging that contributes to damage, or contents added after manifest — entitles the carrier to apply post-shipment surcharges (passed through under Section 5 of the Refund Policy) and may reduce or eliminate any compensation otherwise payable for loss or damage. TradeWind is not liable for any loss flowing from breach of this warranty.

9. Collection and Delivery

9.1 Estimated Delivery Times

Delivery times displayed in the Service are estimates provided by the carriers and are not guaranteed by TradeWind. Actual delivery times may vary due to weather, customs processing, carrier capacity, public holidays, or other factors outside our control.

9.2 Tracking

Tracking information is provided by the carrier and displayed through the Service as a convenience. TradeWind does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of tracking updates. For definitive tracking information, refer to the carrier’s own tracking portal.

9.3 Failed Deliveries

If a delivery fails (e.g. recipient not available, address incorrect), the carrier’s standard procedures apply. This may include re-delivery attempts, holding at a depot, or return to sender. Any charges associated with failed deliveries or returns are your responsibility.

9.4 Voided Labels Must Not Be Used

Once a label has been voided and refunded, the parcel bearing that tracking number must not be handed to the carrier or placed in a carrier collection. If the carrier later scans or invoices a voided tracking number, you will be rebilled in accordance with Section 3.8 of the Terms of Service (carrier cost + 20% margin + £15 administration fee).

10. Claims Process

10.1 Carrier Claims (Loss, Damage, Delay)

Claims for lost, damaged, or delayed shipments must be made in accordance with the carrier’s claims procedures and timescales. Typical claim windows are:

• UPS: Within 60 days of the scheduled delivery date
• Royal Mail: Within 80 days of posting (domestic) or 6 months (international)
• FedEx: Within 21 days for damage, 9 months for loss (varies by service)
• DPD: Within 28 days of collection
• Evri: Within 30 days of dispatch
• DHL Express: Within 30 days of shipment

House Rate shipments — submit claims to TradeWind, not the carrier. Where the shipment was booked on TradeWind House Rates (including UPS House Rates), TradeWind holds the contract of carriage with the carrier on your behalf and is the only party authorised to submit a claim under that contract. You must submit the claim to TradeWind (with the photographs and evidence the carrier requires); we will file it with the carrier on your behalf within their claim window. The carrier will reject claims that you submit directly to them and will redirect those claims to TradeWind, which can delay resolution — come to us first. Recovery from us is limited to what the carrier actually reimburses to TradeWind in respect of your shipment, in accordance with the carrier’s tariff and the limitation of liability rules in Section 4 of these Shipping Terms and Section 7 of the Terms of Service.

BYOA shipments — submit claims to your carrier directly. Where you booked the shipment using your own carrier account, the contract of carriage is between you and the carrier, and you must file the claim with the carrier directly under your agreement with them. TradeWind will provide reasonable supporting evidence (booking records, label data, tracking history) on request.

10.2 Insurance Claims (XCover)

If you purchased optional insurance through XCover, claims must be filed through XCover’s claims portal within the timeframe specified in your insurance certificate. TradeWind can provide supporting shipment documentation to assist with your claim.

10.3 TradeWind Billing Disputes

For disputes about TradeWind charges (as opposed to carrier claims), please refer to our Refund Policy or contact us at privacy@tradewind.express.

10.4 Notice Requirements and Time-Bar

To preserve a carrier loss / damage claim you must notify TradeWind, and provide the supporting evidence the carrier requires, within the carrier’s claim window listed in Section 10.1. Damage claims in particular require photographs of the outer packaging, inner packaging and damaged goods taken before the parcel is repackaged or discarded; carriers will reject damage claims where this evidence is missing.

A parcel will be treated as lost only after the waiting period defined by the carrier for the relevant service has elapsed without delivery confirmation (typically 10 working days for UK services and 25 working days for international services, but the carrier’s own threshold prevails). Claims raised before the waiting period has elapsed will be deferred until it has.

Any claim against TradeWind itself in connection with a shipment must additionally comply with the 60-day time-bar at Section 7.6 of the Terms of Service.

11. Contact

For questions about these Shipping Terms, please contact:

TradeWind Shipping Limited
Email: privacy@tradewind.express