Terms and conditions
Article 1 — Scope
(1) These terms and conditions apply to all offers, contracts and services provided by Unique Cargo Express, a sole proprietorship owned by Nelson Ngangjoh Cho, Vohwinkelstr. 23, 47137 Duisburg — "we" or "the carrier" below — for transport, forwarding, groupage, container loading, storage and customs clearance of shipments from Germany to Cameroon.
(2) They apply to consumers within the meaning of § 13 of the German Civil Code (BGB) and to businesses within the meaning of § 14 BGB. Mandatory consumer protection provisions remain unaffected and prevail over these terms in case of doubt.
(3) Divergent or supplementary terms and conditions of the customer become part of the contract only if we have expressly agreed to them in writing.
(4) The German Freight Forwarders‘ Standard Terms and Conditions (ADSp) and their supplementary conditions do not form part of the contract. German law applies, in particular the carriage rules of the Commercial Code (HGB), including the liability limits under § 431 HGB.
Article 2 — Formation of the contract
(1) A request sent through the website form, by e-mail, phone or WhatsApp is non-binding and does not constitute an offer.
(2) Our quotes are non-binding unless expressly stated to be binding. The contract is concluded by our written order confirmation or, failing that, by acceptance of the shipment at the depot.
(3) Information published on the website, in particular "from" prices, departure dates and transit times, is indicative. Only the details in the order confirmation apply, for the departure stated there.
(4) The customer warrants that they are entitled to dispose of the shipment and to give all necessary instructions.
Article 3 — Quotes, prices and calculation
(1) All prices are stated in euros. The prices are final prices and include VAT where applicable. VAT is shown separately on the invoice where it applies. Customs duties and import taxes are included in the price only where expressly stated; otherwise they are added.
(2) The amounts in the price list are "from" prices and guide values. The price in the quote, or in the order confirmation, for the relevant departure is binding.
(3) The price is calculated by volume (m³) or as a flat rate per item. For groupage the minimum charge is 1 m³. The volume measured at the depot applies; weight is taken into account but remains secondary to volume.
(4) Customs duties and import taxes are included in the price for shipments charged at a flat rate per item (parcels, furniture, household appliances), but not for vehicles. For vehicles they are calculated according to the vehicle’s value and type.
(5) Additional costs attributable to the customer — greater volume or weight than declared, extra packaging, reassembly, waiting times, intermediate storage, forwarding to another address, or customs procedures triggered by incorrect information — are borne by the customer. We inform the customer in advance where possible.
(6) Quotes are valid for 14 days from issue unless the quote states otherwise.
Article 4 — Payment
(1) Payment is made by bank transfer to the account stated on the invoice. We communicate bank details only through the invoice. We never ask by WhatsApp, SMS or e-mail to change bank details.
(2) Payment is due before the shipment is loaded (advance payment) unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing.
(3) Unless otherwise agreed, the shipment is loaded only after payment has been received. Exceptions require an express written agreement.
(4) In the event of late payment, the statutory provisions apply. We may charge default interest and reminder costs, retain the shipment until payment is received and store it after prior notice. Storage charges follow the price list in force; otherwise the statutory provisions apply.
(5) The customer may set off only claims that are undisputed or established by a final court judgment.
Article 5 — Drop-off, collection and handover
(1) The customer hands the shipment over at the depot in Duisburg or at one of our collection points (see /en/drop-off-points/); by arrangement we also collect it. Collection and delivery are available on request and are quoted separately.
(2) Reception hours at the depot are Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00, and Saturday by appointment.
(3) On drop-off the customer receives a depot reference. The shipment must be labelled with the name, the reference and the destination.
(4) In Cameroon, handover takes place at the agreed location — in Douala at the Sic Cacao pickup point — or, by separate arrangement, in Yaoundé. Door delivery is available on request and is quoted separately.
(5) Handover is made against presentation of the reference and an identity document, to the consignee or to a person nominated by them. We may require written authorisation for handover to third parties.
(6) Transit times are not guaranteed. Departures take place several times a month; the exact date is communicated with the quote. Delays caused by authorities, shipping lines, customs, weather, strikes or force majeure do not entitle the customer to a price reduction or termination, to the extent permitted by law.
(7) Shipments must be collected at the depot within 14 days of arrival. After that, storage is charged at the rate in force.
Article 6 — Packaging, labelling and description of goods
(1) The customer packs the goods so that they withstand carriage by sea. Packaging must cope with handling, stacking pressure inside the container and humidity at sea. The customer is liable for damage caused by insufficient packaging.
(2) The customer provides complete and accurate details of the nature, quantity, value, dimensions, weight and any hazardous properties of the goods. In the event of incorrect or incomplete information, the customer bears the resulting additional costs and damage.
(3) For electrical appliances and furniture, paragraphs 1 and 2 apply; specific packaging and condition requirements are agreed case by case in the quote.
(4) For vehicles: loading arrangements are agreed in advance; the registration document and purchase contract are required for customs clearance, all keys must be handed over and no valuables may be left in the vehicle. Personal effects carried with the vehicle must be listed in a valued inventory.
(5) We may inspect, measure and weigh the shipment. In the case of inadmissible contents, Article 8 applies.
Article 7 — Customs, export and import formalities, documents
(1) The customer provides all documents required for export, carriage and import, in particular the commercial invoice, packing list, export accompanying document, and for vehicles the registration document and purchase contract, plus certificates of origin and import permits where applicable. The customer is responsible for the content and accuracy of these documents.
(2) We assist the customer with the customs declaration as their agent within the scope of the mandate given to us. The customer remains responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information and documents; customs duties, import VAT and other taxes are borne by the customer under paragraph 3.
(3) Customs duties, import VAT and other taxes are borne by the customer. For shipments charged at a flat rate per item they are included in the price; for vehicles they are not.
(4) Subsequent demands from customs or tax authorities based on incorrect or incomplete customer information are borne by the customer. We may claim them even after the shipment has been handed over.
(5) Seizure, delay, return or destruction ordered by authorities is at the customer’s expense where the cause lies within their sphere.
(6) We do not carry out orders that breach European Union sanctions or embargoes. We screen orders and shipments for sanctions and embargo exposure and refuse any order where a breach cannot be ruled out.
Article 8 — Prohibited and dangerous goods
(1) Excluded from carriage are in particular: illegal drugs, weapons, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials, toxic or highly flammable substances, live animals, human remains, counterfeit money, counterfeit branded goods, stolen property, and goods whose export or import is prohibited or subject to authorisation.
Other goods — in particular medicines, tobacco, perishable food, batteries and accumulators, and pressure vessels — are carried only after prior agreement and in compliance with the import rules of the destination country.
(2) Alcohol and perfume are carried only against presentation of an invoice and for an additional charge.
(3) Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect inadmissible contents, we may open the shipment — to the extent permitted by law and, where possible, in the customer’s presence —, refuse it or dispose of it after notice. The costs are borne by the customer.
(4) The customer indemnifies us against third-party claims arising from inadmissible contents of the shipment.
Article 9 — Insurance
(1) Transport insurance is not included in the price unless expressly offered and agreed.
(2) We arrange transport insurance on request and at the customer’s expense; it is concluded only by express agreement. The details (insurer, scope of cover, maximum amounts, exclusions, premium and registration deadline) are set out in the respective insurance offer.
(3) Cash, jewellery, documents, works of art and other valuables should not be shipped. For valuables, the statutory liability limits of the HGB apply.
(4) The customer may take out their own transport insurance. On request we provide the shipment details required for it.
Article 10 — Liability
(1) We are liable under the statutory provisions, in particular the rules of the German Commercial Code (HGB) applicable to carriage. Liability is unlimited for intent and gross negligence.
(2) In cases of simple negligence we are liable only for breach of essential contractual obligations, and limited to the foreseeable damage typical of the contract. The statutory liability limits of the HGB, in particular § 431 HGB, remain unaffected.
(3) The ADSp are not agreed (see Article 1(4)). The statutory liability rules of the HGB apply, including the limits under § 431 HGB.
(4) Lost profit, indirect damage and consequential damage — production downtime, lost business opportunities — are not compensated to the extent permitted by law.
(5) We are liable for damage arising from insufficient packaging, from the nature of the goods (humidity, rust, breakage of fragile items) or from the customer’s information only to the extent that we are responsible for the cause.
(6) Transit times are indicative. Any liability for delay is excluded to the extent permitted by law.
(7) We are not liable for damage caused by force majeure — natural disasters, war, civil unrest, strikes, pandemics, official measures.
(8) Limitation follows the statutory rules of the HGB. Any shortening is possible only to the extent permitted by law and by express agreement.
Article 11 — Claims, damage and time limits
(1) On drop-off at the depot we inspect the shipment together with the customer. Externally visible packaging damage is recorded immediately in a joint report.
(2) On collection in Cameroon the shipment must be inspected without delay. Loss or damage must be notified in writing: within 7 days of delivery for externally visible damage and within 14 days of delivery for hidden damage. This extends the statutory 7-day period under § 438(2) HGB in the customer’s favour. Notification may be sent by e-mail to info@uniquecargoexpress.de; clear photographs speed up handling. Consumer rights remain unaffected.
(3) Goods, packaging and packaging contents must be kept until the matter is finally settled and made available for a joint inspection on request.
(4) Claims for loss or damage are subject to the statutory limitation periods of the HGB. Consumer rights remain unaffected.
Article 12 — Cancellation, withdrawal and non-collection
(1) Cancellation before departure must be notified to us in writing. We charge the costs actually incurred; no flat-rate cancellation fee applies.
(2) After the shipment has been loaded or the container has departed: the customer bears the costs actually incurred, in particular for return, intermediate storage and re-loading.
(3) Shipments not collected at destination within 14 days are stored after prior notice. Storage charges follow the rate in force. After a reasonable period following a reminder, we may realise the shipment under the statutory provisions.
(4) Payments already made are refunded to the extent that we have incurred no costs and no legal grounds prevent it. Only the costs actually incurred are deducted.
Article 12a — Statutory right of withdrawal for consumers
(1) Consumers have a statutory right of withdrawal for distance contracts and contracts concluded away from business premises under § 312g of the German Civil Code (BGB), unless a statutory exception applies.
(2) The withdrawal period is fourteen days from conclusion of the contract. A clear statement in text to info@uniquecargoexpress.de is sufficient; returning a model form is not required.
(3) The right of withdrawal expires for a service once we have fully performed it and the consumer expressly consented before performance began and confirmed having been informed that the right would expire (§ 356(4) BGB).
(4) The full withdrawal notice and the model withdrawal form are provided to consumers before the contract is concluded, in text; we send them on request.
Article 13 — Governing law and jurisdiction
(1) German law applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. For consumers this choice of law applies only insofar as it does not deprive them of the protection of mandatory provisions of the state of their habitual residence.
(2) The place of performance is Duisburg.
(3) The courts of Duisburg have jurisdiction for merchants, legal entities under public law and persons without a general place of jurisdiction in Germany. Consumers may also bring proceedings before the courts of their domicile.
(4) We are not obliged and not willing to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration body.
Article 14 — Amendments to these terms and final provisions
(1) The version of these terms published at the time the contract is concluded applies. We may amend these terms with effect for the future where legal or technical reasons require it and the customer is not thereby disadvantaged unreasonably. Amendments are notified in writing at least six weeks before they take effect; the customer may object. If the customer objects, the previous terms continue to apply.
(2) If a provision of these terms is or becomes invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions is unaffected. The invalid provision is replaced by the statutory rule.
(3) The customer may assign claims against us only with our written consent.
(4) These terms are drafted in German and are authoritative. The French version (/conditions-generales-de-vente/) and this English version (/en/terms/) are for information; in case of discrepancy, the German version prevails.
(5) Last updated: 20 October 2026.