Veritas Logistics Ltd – Terms and Conditions






Veritas Logistics Ltd — Terms and Conditions



1.0 Introduction

Veritas Logistics Ltd provides reliable Less Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL) shipping from China to Ghana’s Tema Port and our various warehouses. We combine competitive rates with consistent transit times (30-45 days by sea freight).

These Terms and Conditions govern the use of Veritas’ shipping services. By using our services, you (the “Client”) agree to these terms without exception. Failure to comply may result in service refusal, loss of goods, or legal action.

2.0 The Use of the Veritas App

2.1 Account Registration & Security

  • Eligibility: Users must be shippers to Ghana and have the legal authority to represent their company, themselves, or the individuals on whose behalf they are using the app.
  • Accuracy of Information: Users guarantee that all provided registration information (company name, names, phone numbers, emails, etc.) is accurate and will be kept updated.
  • Account Security: Users are solely responsible for maintaining login credential confidentiality and for all activities under their account. You must immediately notify Veritas of any unauthorized use.
  • Right to Refuse Service: Veritas reserves the right to refuse registration or suspend/terminate any account at its sole discretion.
  • Double account registration: Double accounts opening is strictly prohibited. No one is allowed to have two accounts or use another client’s account. If you face any challenge with registering an account you should contact Veritas immediately.

2.2 Service Scope & Quotations

  • Quotes are Estimates: All rates and quotes provided are non-binding estimates based on user-supplied information and current market conditions.
  • Binding Bookings: A quote becomes a binding contract only after the user officially books the service and receives a Booking Confirmation or Freight Invoice from Veritas.
  • Surcharges: Veritas reserves the right to apply additional surcharges for:
    • Fuel Adjustment Factor (BAF)
    • Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF)
    • Peak Season Surcharges (PSS)
    • War Risk Surcharges
    • Forklift charges
    • Special goods (e.g., food-related, weighted, some prohibited goods)
    • Charges for incorrect cargo information (weight, dimensions, type, non-item description, etc).
  • Scope of Service: The app facilitates shipping and logistics. Veritas acts as a freight forwarder, not a carrier, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

3.0 User Obligations & Cargo Details

3.1 Accurate Cargo Declaration

The user is legally responsible for providing precise, complete, and truthful cargo details, including:

  • Selecting the correct forwarding warehouse in China.
  • Selecting the correct pick-up destination warehouse in Ghana.
  • Providing the accurate tracking number.
  • Description of goods, unit price, and quantity (pcs).
  • Any package not recorded in the Veritas app prior to arriving at the China warehouse must have the user ID for easy identification and capturing into the client’s account.

3.2 Small Packages and Repacking

  1. The least CBM acceptable in any VERITAS warehouse is 0.02 CBM. Any small package that comes will be valued at 0.02 CBM per piece.
  2. Repacking is not done and repacked items are not accepted due to copy goods challenges. The warehouse manager in China at the time reserves the right to reject or act according with discretion to the best interest of Veritas.
  3. All repacked boxes that may be allowed by the China warehouse manager should have a list of what is in the box boldly printed and affixed on the outside of the box.
  4. Veritas reserves the right to recommend a repacking agent if considered to accept repacking.
  5. If a repacking agent is recommended, all terms and conditions of the repacking agent and VERITAS repacking requirements shall apply.

3.3 Prohibited Items

Users are strictly prohibited from shipping items including, but not limited to:

  • Hazardous, flammable, or explosive materials (e.g., perfumes, nail polish, alcohol).
  • Illegal goods, counterfeit items, weapons, and ammunition.
  • Narcotics, strong poisons, prescription drugs.
  • Currency, securities, or confidential state information.
  • Perishable foods, meats, dairy, beverages, alcohol, and tobacco without prior agreement.
  • Plants, animals, and rare herbs.
  • Branded goods, copy products, or unauthorized secondhand goods.
  • Digital products (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, tablets, cameras).
  • Automotive parts (unless otherwise advised by staff).
  • Military products, cultural relics, and antiques.
  • Adult articles and appliances.
  • Items requiring necessary statutory registration (FDA, STANDARDS BOARD REGISTRATION, EPA ETC) in Ghana and yet not having the requisite documents.

Breach of this clause leads to immediate account termination and liability for all resulting damages. All copy, branded, or prohibited goods seized by regulatory bodies in country of origin and destination will not be refunded by Veritas and any damages incurred in the process will be charged to the client.

3.4 Delivery of Goods to China Warehouse(s)

  1. Always copy your address from the Veritas app (using the “Copy” button in the “WAREHOUSES” section and open the drop down button to choose “AIR CARGO” or “SEA CARGO” depending on your choice of shipment) when sending it to your supplier. Do not edit this address as tampering with the address may lead to loss of goods.
  2. Insist that your supplier provides a picture of the item before delivery and at the time of delivery in China warehouse.
  3. Confirm the tracking number, warehouse address and user ID number are accurate.
  4. Log in to your Veritas app to declare/input your item tracking number and details.
  5. Monitor the app for confirmation of your goods’ arrival at our China warehouse.
  6. If you do not receive an update in the app within 7 days, contact your supplier for the goods’ location.
  7. Goods must be received at our designated warehouse address in good condition. Cartons must be in their original shape and form.
  8. If goods are not approved in the app at China warehouse but you have a picture confirmed by warehouse manager that it got to China warehouse, it is same as approval in the app.

3.5 Packaging & Labeling

  1. The user is responsible for ensuring cargo is properly packed and secured to withstand the journey.
  2. Veritas reserves the right to open packages as deemed fit.
  3. The state in which items are received is the same state in which it is shipped.
  4. All breakables (e.g., bottles, TVs, glass, tiles) must be protected with wooden frames or Styrofoam to prevent breakage.
  5. Always insist on seeing the state of the goods from your supplier before they leave for our warehouse.
  6. All broken packages found in our China warehouse will be reported to the client.
  7. All packages not well protected that break during shipping will not be refunded by Veritas.
  8. Packages must be labeled with the user ID and pickup location. Any package without proper identification will not be shipped.
  9. Any package not shipped due to a lack of identification will be returned to the associated delivery company within 14 days.

3.6 Wooden Packages

  1. Wooden crated items must be in a full wooden crate and must have a picture of content, item description and quantities stated on the box for easy identification.
  2. All breakables must be firmly secured in an all-round wooden crate to avoid any form of damage.
  3. Wooden crate contents shall not be opened by Veritas; the state received is the same state handed over.
  4. Customs have every right to open and access contents of wooden crates as the law demands.

3.7 Measurements and Re-measurements

  1. Goods received in the China warehouse will be measured to calculate CBM for purpose of shipping fee in the app. Clients must state any discrepancies immediately.
  2. Any package with CBM in dispute: Veritas will invite the client, their supplier, or any representative to come to the China warehouse for measurement together.
  3. If CBM is still not agreed upon, the item in question shall not be shipped.
  4. There shall be no re-measurement in the Ghana warehouse, as the shipped CBM is considered confirmed by the client.
  5. However, should any item arrive at the Ghana warehouse with a wrong measurement, the warehouse manager reserves the right to double-check and correct any measurement.

3.8 Working Hours

  1. Veritas working hours is from 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday weekdays and from 10am to 3pm Saturday.
  2. Veritas does not operate within public holidays.
  3. The warehouse manager and team shall exercise discretion on working on holidays and overtime as deemed fit.

3.9 Dispatch / Picking of Goods in Ghana Warehouse(s)

  1. Pickups from warehouses are to be arranged by clients or done physically.
  2. Clients are to go, send a second party, or order a car to pick up on their behalf.
  3. You must show/present as evidence the invoice of the item you are there to pick up. Without the invoice presentation, items cannot be confirmed or identified.
  4. Carefully inspect goods at the Ghana warehouse regarding whether the package is opened, the quantity of packages, and any damage.
  5. Goods transported from any Veritas warehouse to a station, delivery address, or picked up by the client are deemed to have been received in good condition and right quantity and cannot be returned as damaged or lost.

3.10 Discharge and Forklift

  1. Veritas is responsible for discharging all goods and taking care of all forklift charges.
  2. It is the responsibility of a client to arrange delivery for heavy goods to be forklifted from container directly to awaiting loading car at no cost.
  3. Any forklift item already dropped and client coming to pickup, client shall incur forklift charges.

3.11 Outside Warehouses Delivery and Pickup

  1. All outside warehouse deliveries shall be arranged by Veritas after discharge of container as soon as possible.
  2. Change in pickup location is allowed at least 2 days prior to dispatch of goods to outside warehouse.
  3. Veritas shall arrange transport to all outside warehouse but in the event that there are no transport means available, clients can advise otherwise (arrange own transport).
  4. Should client arrange transport, shipping fee shall be charged to Tema warehouse pickup and all responsibilities transferred to client thereafter.
  5. Rent payment applies in outside warehouses also.
  6. Rent is applicable when goods get to outside warehouses, 5 days after which goods are not picked.
  7. Payment is not accepted in any outside warehouse. All payments are made direct to Veritas official bank accounts, confirmed before goods released to anyone.

4.0 Liability & Insurance

4.1 Limited Liability

Clients are entitled to a refund only under the following confirmed circumstances:

  1. Goods are declared in the app, approved, shipped and not received in Ghana by client.
  2. Well-packed breakables, received in good condition after inspection in China, arrive at the Ghana main warehouse in a damaged state.
  3. Package quantities inspected that tally with the purchase quantity in China arrive at the Ghana main warehouse with shortages.
  4. Goods transported by an assigned Veritas driver arrive at the client’s destination with shortages or damages incurred during that final delivery.
  5. Refund of the item cost (as declared in the app and confirmed with the purchase order) will be paid after due diligence and confirmed Veritas is liable for the loss or damage.

5.0 Insurance

Scope of Coverage

  • 1.1 Veritas offers cargo insurance as an arranging agent only. The actual insurer is the underwriter named on the Certificate of Insurance. Veritas is not the insurer.
  • 1.2 Coverage applies from warehouse in China to port of discharge in Ghana/Tema, “warehouse-to-warehouse” basis, Institute Cargo Clauses C unless otherwise requested and paid for.
  • 1.3 Coverage is valid only after full premium payment + submission of packing list, invoice, and photos before goods depart China warehouse.

What is NOT Covered – Veritas Protection Clauses

  • 2.1 Breakage & Internal Damage: Insurance excludes breakage, chipping, cracking, or internal damage unless caused by fire, vessel collision, or sinking. LCL shipments are especially excluded due to consolidation handling. Sub-client accepts risk of fragile/brittle goods.
  • 2.2 Improper Packing: Any damage due to insufficient, improper, or non-industry-standard packing/loading is excluded. Sub-client warrants all goods are packed to withstand sea freight handling. Veritas liability = $0 for packing-related damage.
  • 2.3 Seizure, Confiscation, Detention in China: Loss or damage due to seizure, confiscation, detention, or legal action by Chinese authorities, customs, police, or any government body is excluded. This includes counterfeit, misdeclared HS code, prohibited goods, or documentation errors. Sub-client bears 100% risk.
  • 2.4 Consequential Loss: Veritas/insurer is not liable for loss of market, profit, downtime, or indirect losses from delay/damage.
  • 2.5 Inherent Vice & Wear: Natural decay, mold, rust, oxidation, leakage from container sweat = excluded.

Valuation & Premium

  • 3.1 Insured value = FOB invoice value + 10% only. Any value above this must be declared + extra premium paid before shipment.
  • 3.2 Premium is non-refundable once B/L is issued, even if goods are seized/destroyed later.
  • 3.3 Under-insurance: If declared value < actual value, claims are paid pro-rata.

Claims Process – Strict Conditions

  • 4.1 Notice: Any damage/breakage must be reported with photos + survey report within 3 working days of container devanning. No notice = claim forfeited.
  • 4.2 Evidence: Sub-client must provide: delivery note, photos at devanning, original packing list, and allow Veritas/insurer surveyor access. For LCL, survey must be at Veritas warehouse with Veritas staff present.
  • 4.3 Seizure in China: If goods are seized/confiscated by Chinese authorities, sub-client must provide official seizure notice within 7 days. Veritas has no liability to refund freight, insurance premium, or goods value. Sub-client may pursue claim directly with Chinese authorities at own cost.
  • 4.4 Salvage: Veritas/insurer may take possession of damaged goods as salvage. Sub-client cannot dispose of goods without written approval.

Limitation of Veritas Liability

  • 5.1 Veritas liability for uninsured shipments will be subject to the scrutiny of VERITAS and treated as best as possible in the most amicable way.
  • 5.2 For insured shipments, Veritas liability is limited to arranging insurance only. Veritas is not liable for insurer’s delay, denial, or short-payment of claims.
  • 5.3 Veritas is not liable for damage/breakage in China before container is sealed by carrier/Veritas agent.

Sub-Client Warranties

By booking, sub-client warrants:

  • 6.1 All goods are legal for export from China + import into Ghana.
  • 6.2 HS codes, descriptions, and values are accurate. Misdeclaration voids insurance + makes sub-client liable for all fines/seizures.
  • 6.3 Fragile goods are packed with adequate cushioning. LCL customers accept 100% risk of carton crush.

General

  • 7.1 These terms override any verbal promises or WhatsApp messages. Only written amendments signed by Veritas management are valid.
  • 7.2 Jurisdiction: Ghana courts. Veritas may withhold goods/lien until claims/disputes are resolved.
  • 7.3 Veritas reserves right to refuse insurance for high-risk goods: ceramics, glass, liquids, batteries, used items.

6.0 Force Majeure

Veritas is not liable for delays or failures resulting from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, war, shipping line or vessel delays, terrorism, port congestions, strikes, labor disputes, government actions, systems downtime, holidays or severe weather.

7.0 Payments & Invoicing

  1. Payment Requirement: 100% payment is required before cargo leaves the Veritas warehouse in Ghana.
  2. Payment currency: Payment can be made in USD (as per invoice value) and to be strictly transferred to dollar account or cedis equivalent with Veritas provided exchange rate at the time.
  3. Accepted Methods: Bank Transfers, POS payment, Bank Deposits, or Cash (USD or GHS) with screenshot or picture evidence.
  4. Payment person: Full payment of invoice value is to be made by account holder or invoice owner. We don’t accept sub payments from sub clients of the account holder.

7.1 Late Payments and Rent

  1. Invoices are issued in the app when items are approved, giving clients over 50 days to prepare for payment.
  2. All items are to be picked up at once; there will be no partial pick up or deliveries.
  3. Storage rent will apply 5 days after notification of goods’ arrival and must be paid in full prior to pick up.
  4. Rent Calculation: Total CBM x GHS 100 x total number of days in the warehouse.
  5. Goods unclaimed 30 days after arrival will be deemed forfeited or forgone by the client.
  6. Goods forgone will not be returned and Veritas has every right to dispose of items as deemed fit without any prior notification to client after the 30-day period.

7.2 Special Rate

  1. There shall be a special rate of $50 per CBM on special goods and heavy machinery to take care of lift-on and lift-off costs as well as other customs facilitations.
  2. Customers who knowingly or unknowingly ship such goods, when identified, shall bear these costs as deemed fit by the warehouse manager in China.
  3. Special goods shall include all goods deemed as dangerous as stated in these Terms and Conditions (including but not limited to diapers, cosmetics, cooking oils and other food items not registered with FDA, wipes, A4 papers, etc.) as well as weighted goods such as machines exceeding 1,000 kg or 1 ton, and items of high duty value.

8.0 Data Privacy & Usage

  1. Collection of Data: The app collects personal and business data necessary to provide logistics services, for billing, and for communication. This data will not be sold to third parties for marketing without consent.
  2. Data Sharing: Clients acknowledge that data will be shared with necessary partners to perform the service (e.g., carriers, customs brokers, port authorities).

9.0 Intellectual Property

All rights, title, and interest in the Veritas app (including software, design, logos, and content) are the exclusive property of Veritas Logistics Ltd.

10.0 Termination & Suspension

  1. Either party may terminate the account in accordance with these terms.
  2. Veritas may immediately suspend or terminate a user’s access for breaches of these T&Cs, illegal activity, gross misconduct or non-payment.

11.0 Amendments to Terms

Veritas Logistics Ltd reserves the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Continued use of the app by clients after any changes are posted in the app constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

12.0 Regulatory Bodies

Veritas Logistics is registered and in good standing with the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) and the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA). Veritas upholds highly the values of these bodies and have aligned their terms and conditions to that of the bodies to bring sanity to shipping industry.