1. Scope of Services

Nor’East Xpress provides direct and dedicated commercial transportation, primarily using cargo vans and Sprinter vans. Services may include expedited and time-critical freight, same-day and next-day delivery, dedicated vehicle service, scheduled routes, hot-shot transportation, airport recovery, line-haul support, final-mile delivery, commercial courier service, trade-show freight, healthcare and life-sciences transportation, manufacturing and industrial freight, aerospace and aviation freight, technology and electronics transportation, construction and vendor support, government transportation, and other services stated in a written quote or rate confirmation.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a dedicated shipment travels directly from the confirmed pickup location to the confirmed delivery location without terminal transfers, cross-docking, consolidation, or warehousing. Reasonable stops for fuel, driver rest, vehicle inspection, safety, security, traffic, or other operational requirements do not violate this direct-service commitment.

2. Commercial Transportation Only

Nor’East Xpress primarily provides business-to-business commercial transportation. Nor’East Xpress is not a household-goods mover and does not accept residential household moves, personal relocations, or similar household-goods transportation unless expressly agreed to in writing.

3. Quotes and Shipment Confirmation

A verbal estimate, website inquiry, email discussion, text message, or preliminary quote does not guarantee vehicle availability. A shipment is accepted only after Nor’East Xpress provides written confirmation, issues or accepts a rate confirmation, dispatches a vehicle, or otherwise expressly confirms acceptance.

Quotes are based on the information supplied by the Customer, including pickup and delivery locations, dates and times, piece count, dimensions, weight, commodity, cargo value, loading and unloading requirements, facility hours, appointments, equipment, access restrictions, special handling, and additional stops.

Nor’East Xpress may revise or withdraw a quote when supplied information is incomplete, inaccurate, or materially changes. Unless otherwise stated, quotes expire after 24 hours and remain subject to vehicle and driver availability.

4. Customer’s Duty to Provide Accurate Information

The Customer must provide complete and accurate shipment information before dispatch and is responsible for additional charges, delays, failed pickups, equipment mismatches, safety issues, fines, claims, losses, or expenses caused by incorrect, incomplete, or omitted information.

Nor’East Xpress may refuse, cancel, suspend, or reprice a shipment when the freight differs from the description, exceeds legal or physical capacity, cannot be safely handled, requires undisclosed services, lacks required documentation, is restricted or prohibited, or presents an unreasonable risk. A refusal resulting from inaccurate information may be treated as a cancellation after dispatch or a Truck Order Not Used.

5. Packaging, Labeling, Loading, and Securement

Unless driver-assist service is included in writing, the shipper is responsible for packaging, labeling, palletizing, protecting, and loading the freight, and the consignee is responsible for unloading it. The Customer must provide any forklift, dock, pallet jack, liftgate, crane, rigging, or specialized equipment required.

Standard Sprinter-van service does not automatically include liftgate service, dock-high service, inside service, stair carries, installation, assembly, unpacking, debris removal, white-glove service, forklift or pallet-jack service, rigging, or specialized labor.

Nor’East Xpress may inspect the apparent condition, dimensions, weight, packaging, and securement of freight. Inspection does not relieve the Customer of its responsibilities. The driver may refuse freight that cannot be safely or legally loaded, secured, transported, or unloaded.

6. Restricted and Prohibited Commodities

The Customer may not tender the following without advance written disclosure and express written acceptance by Nor’East Xpress:

• Hazardous materials, dangerous goods, explosives, ammunition, firearms, weapons, or radioactive materials;
• Controlled substances, illegal drugs, human remains, live animals, infectious substances, biological specimens, blood products, or regulated medical waste;
• Temperature-controlled products requiring validated refrigeration;
• Cash, currency, negotiable instruments, gift cards, securities, precious metals, loose gemstones, jewelry, or watches;
• Fine art, antiques, collectibles, or irreplaceable items;
• Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or other regulated products;
• Goods requiring undisclosed permits, licenses, escorts, clearances, or special security;
• Cargo valued above $100,000; or
• Illegal, stolen, counterfeit, unsafe, or improperly documented goods.

The Customer is responsible for classification, packaging, marking, documentation, and declaration of regulated freight and for all resulting costs, fines, cleanup expenses, losses, damages, and reasonable legal expenses arising from undisclosed, misclassified, illegal, or improperly prepared freight.

7. Cargo Value

The Customer must disclose before booking when the total shipment value exceeds $100,000. Nor’East Xpress is not obligated to accept such freight. Acceptance may require additional insurance, a higher rate, special handling, security, a declared-value agreement, or other written conditions. The existence or amount of Nor’East Xpress’s insurance does not establish or increase its legal liability.

8. Pickup and Delivery Estimates

Pickup, transit, and delivery times are estimates unless the written rate confirmation expressly identifies the service as “Guaranteed” and states a specific deadline. Estimates may be affected by freight-ready time, loading and unloading, traffic, weather, closures, accidents, construction, government action, security, airport or facility delays, mechanical issues, parking, required driver rest, safety considerations, appointments, and circumstances outside Nor’East Xpress’s reasonable control.

The Customer must confirm that each location will be open, accessible, staffed, and capable of loading or receiving the shipment.

9. Service Levels and Guaranteed Delivery

A 10% upcharge applies to all guaranteed service levels. A delivery commitment is guaranteed only when the written quote or rate confirmation identifies the service as guaranteed, states the guaranteed date and time, and includes the 10% upcharge.

If Nor’East Xpress misses the guaranteed delivery time solely because of circumstances within its reasonable control, the Customer may request a refund of the 10% guaranteed-service upcharge only. The base transportation charge, accessorial charges, tolls, parking, and reimbursable expenses remain payable.

The guarantee does not apply to delays caused by late freight, loading or unloading, inaccurate information, Customer-requested changes, unavailable facilities or recipients, security or appointment delays, traffic, weather, accidents, closures, government action, unsafe conditions, regulatory compliance, force majeure, or other circumstances outside Nor’East Xpress’s reasonable control.

10. Proof of Delivery and Delivery Instructions

Delivery may be confirmed by signed receipt, bill of lading, electronic signature, recipient name, photograph, GPS or timestamp data, email or text confirmation, facility stamp, or other commercially reasonable documentation.

When the Customer authorizes unattended delivery, signature release, or photographic confirmation, Nor’East Xpress’s responsibility ends when the shipment is placed at the authorized location and documented. The Customer assumes the risk of theft, exposure, loss, or damage after authorized unattended delivery.

11. Accessorial and Additional Charges

The quoted transportation rate covers only the transportation and services expressly stated in the written quote or rate confirmation. Unless a different charge is stated in writing, the following fees apply.

12. Changes to a Shipment

Changes requested after booking may require a revised rate, additional charges, and a revised delivery commitment. Changes include different locations, additional stops, timing changes, increased pieces, size or weight, a different commodity, additional handling, revised appointments, or any change affecting the vehicle, route, time, cost, or risk. Nor’East Xpress is not obligated to accept a change after dispatch.

13. Cancellations

Cancellations are not effective until acknowledged by Nor’East Xpress.

• Before dispatch: No cancellation charge, except nonrefundable costs already incurred.
• After dispatch: $150 Truck Order Not Used charge, applicable deadhead mileage, tolls, parking, permits, facility charges, and incurred expenses.
• After arrival: The same charges plus detention from the first minute onsite.
• After loading: The full transportation charge may apply, together with return, storage, redelivery, unloading, or lawful-disposal costs.

14. Redelivery and Undeliverable Freight

A delivery is unsuccessful when the consignee is closed, unavailable, refuses the freight, the address or access information is inaccurate, the facility cannot accept the vehicle or freight, the Customer requests later delivery, or delivery fails for reasons not caused by Nor’East Xpress. The Customer is responsible for detention, redelivery, layover, storage, return transportation, handling, tolls, parking, and other resulting expenses.

15. Rates, Invoices, and Payment

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due within 15 days of the invoice date. New customers may be required to prepay or provide a valid credit card. Credit-card processing charges may be added where legally permitted and disclosed.

Transportation charges must be paid without deduction, offset, or chargeback. Cargo claims and freight-payment obligations are handled separately. Past-due balances may accrue interest at 1.5% per month or the highest amount permitted by law, whichever is lower. The Customer is responsible for reasonable collection costs, including collection-agency fees, court costs, and attorneys’ fees, to the extent permitted by law.

The person or company requesting the Services is primarily responsible for payment even when another party is identified as the bill-to party, unless Nor’East Xpress expressly agrees otherwise in writing.

16. Inspection at Delivery

The consignee should inspect the shipment before signing. Visible shortage, damage, tampering, or packaging concerns must be noted on the delivery receipt, bill of lading, electronic proof of delivery, or other delivery record.

Concealed damage should be reported promptly, preferably within five business days. The Customer must retain the freight, packaging, pallets, containers, wrapping, photographs, and other evidence until Nor’East Xpress authorizes disposal or completes its investigation.

17. Cargo Claims

A formal cargo claim must be submitted in writing, identify the shipment, state the basis for Carrier liability, demand a specific or reasonably determinable amount, and include available supporting documents. Supporting documents may include the bill of lading, delivery receipt, commercial invoice, proof of value, repair or replacement estimates, photographs, packing records, freight-charge documentation, and salvage information.

A damage notation, inspection report, invoice deduction, general damage email, or refusal to pay transportation charges does not by itself constitute a formal cargo claim.

Claims must be sent to brandi@noreastxpress.com with the subject line Cargo Claim — Shipment Reference Number.

Unless a longer period is required by law, a cargo claim must be filed within nine months after delivery or, for nondelivery, within nine months after the date delivery should reasonably have occurred. Any lawsuit relating to a cargo claim must be filed within two years after written disallowance of all or part of the claim, subject to applicable law.

Transportation invoices remain payable while a claim is investigated. The Customer may not deduct a claimed loss from an invoice without written approval.

18. Cargo Liability

For transportation subject to the Carmack Amendment or another applicable cargo-liability law, liability is determined under that law and the applicable shipping documents.

Nor’East Xpress is not liable for loss, damage, or delay caused by acts or omissions of the Customer, shipper, consignee, or cargo owner; inadequate packaging or labeling; improper shipper loading; concealed damage; inherent vice; ordinary wear, shrinkage, evaporation, leakage, rust, or deterioration; inaccurate descriptions, weights, dimensions, or values; undisclosed temperature sensitivity; government action, seizure, quarantine, or inspection; acts of God, public authority, terrorism, civil disorder, or public enemies; undisclosed restricted materials; authorized unattended delivery; internal mechanical or electrical failure of the cargo; fraud; illegality; or other defenses recognized by law.

Nor’East Xpress will not be responsible for a declared cargo value above $100,000 unless the higher value was disclosed and accepted in writing before pickup.

19. Consequential, Special, and Indirect Damages

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Nor’East Xpress is not liable for lost profits, lost sales, loss of business, production shutdown, loss of market, contractual penalties owed to another party, rental or replacement equipment costs, loss of use, reputational damage, punitive damages, incidental damages, special damages, indirect damages, or consequential damages.

20. Delay and Force Majeure

Nor’East Xpress is not liable for failure or delay caused by circumstances outside its reasonable control, including severe weather, flood, fire, natural disaster, traffic, road closure, accident, civil disturbance, terrorism, war, labor interruption, government order, law-enforcement activity, public-health emergency, fuel interruption, cyberattack, communication outage, airport or facility shutdown, mechanical failure despite reasonable maintenance, unsafe conditions, or similar events.

Nor’East Xpress may use an alternate route, pause transportation, return or hold freight, place freight in secure storage, or take other reasonable action to protect the driver, public, vehicle, Carrier, or cargo. Related costs may be charged to the Customer when the event was not caused by Nor’East Xpress.

21. Customer Indemnification

The Customer will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Nor’East Xpress and its owners, employees, drivers, agents, and contractors from claims, losses, fines, penalties, injuries, cleanup costs, damages, and reasonable legal expenses arising from inaccurate or incomplete shipment information; improper packaging, labeling, loading, or documentation; undisclosed dangerous, restricted, or illegal freight; the Customer’s violation of law; injury or property damage caused by the freight; acts or omissions of the Customer, shipper, or consignee; unsafe facility conditions; unauthorized instructions; or breach of these Terms.

This obligation does not apply to the extent a loss was caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of Nor’East Xpress.

22. Authority to Act

Anyone booking a shipment represents that they have authority to bind the Customer, tender the freight, provide instructions, accept these Terms, approve transportation and accessorial charges, authorize unattended delivery, and act for the cargo owner where applicable. Nor’East Xpress may rely on instructions from an apparent authorized representative until written notice states otherwise.

23. Other Shipping Documents and Order of Priority

A shipment may also be governed by a master service agreement, transportation agreement, rate confirmation, bill of lading, delivery manifest, statement of work, dedicated-route agreement, or other written shipping document.

1. A separately signed master service agreement or transportation agreement;
2. The written rate confirmation or statement of work;
3. The bill of lading or delivery manifest; and
4. These Terms.

Mandatory federal or state law controls over any conflicting contractual provision. A shipper-prepared bill of lading does not modify pricing, payment, indemnification, accessorial, dispute, or liability provisions unless Nor’East Xpress specifically agrees in writing.

24. Electronic Communications and Records

The Customer consents to electronic business. Emails, text messages, electronic signatures, digital rate confirmations, electronic bills of lading, photographs, GPS records, timestamps, tracking records, and electronic proofs of delivery may be used as evidence of booking, authorization, performance, and delivery.

25. No Waiver

Failure by Nor’East Xpress to enforce a provision on one occasion does not waive the right to enforce it later. A waiver is effective only when stated in writing by an authorized representative.

26. Severability

If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, it will be modified only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable. The remaining provisions will continue in effect.

27. Governing Law and Disputes

Except where federal transportation law applies or requires otherwise, these Terms are governed by New Jersey law, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Before filing suit, the parties will make a good-faith effort to resolve the dispute through direct discussion.

For disputes not governed by mandatory federal venue requirements, the parties consent to the state or federal courts located in or serving Monmouth County, New Jersey, and waive objections based on inconvenient forum to the extent permitted by law.

28. Updates to These Terms

Nor’East Xpress may revise these Terms periodically. The version in effect when a shipment is booked governs that shipment unless otherwise agreed in writing. Continued use of Services after revised Terms are published constitutes acceptance for future shipments.

29. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the applicable quote, rate confirmation, bill of lading, and any separately signed written agreement, constitute the entire agreement concerning the shipment. Other statements or promises are not binding unless confirmed in writing by an authorized representative of Nor’East Xpress.

30. Contact Information

By booking, requesting, or tendering a shipment to Nor’East Xpress, the Customer acknowledges that the Customer has read, understood, and agreed to these Terms of Transportation Service.