Terms and Conditions

These Terms & Conditions form a contract in relation to the provision of warehousing, distribution, data and ordering services, and other services between Cert Octavian plc, trading as Octavian 'Octavian' and the 'Customer' being the person or company who contracts for the services of Octavian. The Registered Address of Octavian is Cert Octavian House, St. Martins Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 0BT. The Company Registered Number is 1974240. Octavian operates under the standard Conditions of Contract of the United Kingdom Warehousing Association February 2002 (UKWA), and the Road Haulage Association Limited Conditions of Carriage 1998 (RHA). Attention is drawn in particular to the exclusions and limitations of liability contained in those conditions, as amended below.

 

PROVISION OF INFORMATION

Octavian relies upon accurate and timely provision, by the Customer, of information relating to products, receipts, despatches, stockholding, orders, delivery profile and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) documentation. Delivery information must include accurate postcodes and telephone numbers. All rates and charges will be subject to an annual review. Octavian may require the Customer to submit one month prior to the Annual Review meeting a profile of business levels for the forthcoming twelve month period. Octavian reserves the right to review the rates if the profile of the business defined by the above information varies materially from that originally agreed.

 

TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS

'Directive' means the Acquired Rights Directive (Council Directive 77/187/EEC as amended by Council Directive 2001/23/EEC) (as amended from time to time); 'Previous Service Provider' means any person (other than the Customer) carrying out activities comprising or relating to the provision of logistics services for the Customer;

'Regulations' means the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (as amended from time to time);

Unless previously notified by the Customer to Octavian in writing or acknowledged by Octavian to the Customer in writing, Octavian believes that entering into a contract or otherwise agreeing or arranging to commence or provide logistics services under these terms and conditions does not amount to a relevant transfer for the purposes of the Regulations and/or the Directive and, as such, that no person employed or engaged by either the Customer or a Previous Service Provider will be or become employed by Octavian following the commencement of such a contract or other agreement or arrangement.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Customer and Octavian, if as a result of the application of the Regulations and/or the Directive any contract of employment of any employee of the Customer or Previous Service Provider does or shall or may have effect as if originally made between such an employee and Octavian then:-

i) Octavian and the Customer shall (as appropriate) notify in writing and consult with the other [and with the relevant employee [and (if relevant) their appropriate representatives]] in good faith regarding the status and employment of any such employee;

ii) If the parties fail to reach agreement on a course of action within 14 days following such written notification, Octavian may terminate the employee's employment immediately;

iii) the Customer will indemnify Octavian, in respect of all costs, claims, fines, penalties, liabilities, and expenses of any nature suffered by or claimed against Octavian arising out of or in connection with such contract of employment and/or the termination thereof, including but not limited to claims bought by any employee, trade union, staff association or by any other employee representatives (within the meaning the Regulations) or any other persons.

 

ALCOHOL LICENSING AND OTHER LAWS

The Customer warrants that it shall comply in all respects with the Licensing Act 2003 (as from time to time amended, extended or re-enacted and any regulations made under it) and with all other statutes, statutory instruments, laws, bye-laws, rules, regulations and all other instruments or requirements having the force of law within the United Kingdom so far as they are applicable to the Customer ("Laws") and that it will perform the contract such that no liability is incurred by Octavian under such Laws.

It is a potential offence to deliver alcohol to an individual under the age of 18. The Customer warrants that it has in place procedures to ensure that Octavian are not instructed to make deliveries of alcohol to individuals under 18 and will indemnify Octavian, its agents, subcontractors and / or employees against any losses, claims, costs, fines, penalties, expenses and liabilities, howsoever caused (unless caused by Octavian's negligence), arising from such deliveries. Octavian reserves the right to not deliver or release alcoholic goods where it is believe that the receiving person is under the age of 18.

 

CUSTOMER INSTRUCTIONS

Octavian may rely on any instruction (including orders), commitments, notices or requests (Instructions) of any person who is or is reasonably believed by Octavian to be a person designated or authorised by the Customer to give such Instructions, whether such Instructions are oral or in writing, electronic or otherwise. The Customer authorises Octavian to accept and act upon all Instructions without taking any further steps to ensure the authenticity of such Instructions or the authority of the person giving such Instructions, (notwithstanding that such Instructions may conflict with or are in any way inconsistent with any other Instructions received by Octavian from the Customer).

In respect of any Instructions, the following provisions shall apply:

iv) The Customer shall be responsible for the accuracy of all Instructions. v) Instructions given to Octavian shall not take effect unless actually received by Octavian.

vi) Instructions shall continue in full force and effect until cancelled or superseded. vii) Octavian may treat any apparent Instructions as new Instructions unless they are clearly indicated to be confirmations of earlier Instructions.

viii) The Customer is responsible to assess the measure of security applicable to Instructions and shall take reasonable care to ensure that Instructions are secure and that unauthorised access to the Octavian Online website is prevented.

ix) Octavian may at its absolute discretion (but shall be under no duty to) refuse to act on any Instruction including, without limitation, where such Instructions are incomplete or ambiguous or not given in the form customarily used by the Customer and, or, which are not in writing.

x) Octavian may in its absolute discretion and without incurring any liability whatsoever refuse to implement a Customer Instruction for any reason and will attempt but shall not be obliged to notify the Customer of such a refusal.

xi) Octavian shall be under no obligation to cancel or amend any Instructions after receipt should the Customer so request, although Octavian shall use its reasonable endeavours to act on requests from a Customer

 

RECEIPT OF GOODS

The palletised rate will apply to single product lines received on standard 1000mm x 1200mm 4 way entry pallets, stacked to a height not exceeding 1450mm. Any goods received that do not meet these criteria will be charged at the loose rate or other appropriate handling rate.

Octavian will provide the Customer with a Confirmation of Receipt of Stock. It is the responsibility of the Customer to ensure that the details contained within this document are correct as Octavian is unable to accept any financial liability for the input of incorrect data.

Octavian will only accept goods on behalf of the Customer if accompanied by valid, appropriate documentation. Discrepancies will be notified to the Customer as soon as practicable. The Customer will ensure that all their suppliers or agents book loads in with the Octavian Goods-In department at least three working days in advance of the desired delivery date.

Octavian reserves the right to:

i) Refuse delivery or levy a late receipt surcharge, if deliveries arrive 45 minutes later than the specified booking in time, or fail to arrive altogether.

ii) Refuse delivery or levy a shot load surcharge if a load is not received in good order. iii) Charge part cases at the appropriate full case rate. iv) Split a case containing more than one product and charge accordingly.

Unless otherwise instructed, Octavian will not open cases in order to verify the number of bottles and that the description on the bottle labels corresponds with the accompanying paperwork. Octavian will endeavour to identify where cases are "non-original" cases. If Octavian identifies that the cases are "non-original" cases, or at the Customer's request, Octavian will open cases for a charge per case to record and verify that the description on one of the bottle labels corresponds with the accompanying paperwork. At the Customer's request and for a further charge per bottle, Octavian will verify that the number of bottles corresponds with the accompanying paperwork.

Octavian cannot and do not check the authenticity of bottle labels or liquid in bottles received by Octavian.

To the extent that the contents of cases have not been verified by Octavian, Octavian will not be liable to the Customer or any other party for any losses however caused, if at a future date, it is discovered that the contents of the case are not as described in the delivery documentation or on the outside of the case. Octavian reserve the right to levy a surcharge for 'high value receipts' to take account of the higher risk and/or cost of insurance and/or cost of special handling or storage arrangements.

 

STORAGE

Rent will be quoted and charged per week (part weeks will be treated as a full week) with a working week being Saturday to Friday. For private clients on annual invoicing a full year's rent will be charged in advance. Such clients are charged on a Private Client Tariff for which no credit is given for rent on cases removed during an invoice year for the remainder of that year.

A report detailing the Customer's stock will be produced at the end of the last working day of each month, or for private clients on annual invoicing, annually. Octavian will undertake regular location checks and discrepancies will be reported to the Customer. The Customer's authorised representative, with prior written agreement, will be allowed access to the relevant facilities in order to undertake physical stock checks once each year.

 

ORDER PROCESSING

All orders must be received either in writing, by EDI or facsimile, or via the Octavian Online website by 12 noon (to be classed as day zero). Octavian will process up to a maximum number of orders per day, as agreed, in writing, with the Customer. Orders will not be processed until such time as the information regarding goods received has been landed onto Octavian's system. Octavian will use all reasonable endeavours to fulfil orders within the agreed delivery criteria, subject to acceptance by the consignee.

All Under Bond orders must state a valid bond address, accurate sales values and bond number, and will be fulfilled within the agreed delivery criteria subject to acceptance by the receiving warehouse.

Where an order has been received via the Octavian Online website Octavian will e-mail the 'super user' nominated by the Customer, a Confirmation of Receipt of Order. It is the responsibility of the Customer to ensure that the details contained within this document are correct as Octavian is unable to accept any financial liability for acting upon incorrect orders. Should the 'super user' fail to receive a Confirmation of Receipt order within 1 hour, then it is the Customer's responsibility to advise Octavian as soon as possible. If for any reason, an order is rejected an e-mail explaining the reason for rejection will be sent to the 'super user' by Octavian and such an e-mail will constitute and be accepted by the Customer as a valid confirmation that the order will not be complied with.

 

COLLECTIONS

Where appropriate the Customer must ensure that their nominated carrier authorise Octavian to use the carrier's Movement Guarantee Number for all Under Bond collections. Octavian will agree the date and time for collection with the Customer's carrier.

Orders requiring collection from the cellar that are received by 12 noon on day zero will be available for collection from Octavian on day 3. Storage charges will apply up to the time of collection with a part week treated as a full week. Octavian reserves the right to charge for collections. Any goods that have not been collected within 3 working days of the agreed collection date will be liable to be re-booked into stock, incurring additional RH&D and storage costs.

 

HMRC COMPLIANCE

Octavian and the Customer will comply with their respective relevant HMRC requirements. All orders processed, whether under bond or duty paid, must conform to all relevant regulations as laid down by HMRC. Octavian reserves the right to withhold the processing of orders if regulations are not complied with. It is the responsibility of the Customer to have, where applicable, sufficient Rural Payments Agency Licences held at Octavian to cover all stock releases, failure to do so will result in stocks being frozen until an appropriate licence is obtained. Where applicable it is the responsibility of the Customer to register with HMRC under the Warehousekeepers and Owners of Warehoused Goods Regulations 1999 (WOWGR). Failure to register will render such goods liable to seizure after the initial period (72 hours from receipt).

It is the responsibility of the Customer to comply with all aspects of the HMRC Duty Stamp requirements. Octavian reserves the right to refuse to process orders where it reasonably believes that in processing the orders the HMRC Duty Stamp requirements are not being complied with.

 

EXPORT ORDERS

Goods required for export must be received and receipted onto the Octavian system at least 48 hours prior to processing the order. Orders will be processed subject to compliance by the Customer with Octavian's standard procedures and indemnities.

For all movements outside the UK, the Customer shall indemnify and hold harmless Octavian, its agents and subcontractors against all losses, claims, costs, expenses and liabilities howsoever caused. Octavian shall be entitled, at is absolute discretion to require the relevant duty payable to be deposited with Octavian.

For export orders outside the EU, Octavian's Movement Guarantee will only be valid to the point of export from the EU, subject to the goods being transported by Octavian.

 

DUTY DEFERMENT

It is the Customer's responsibility to ensure their deferment facilities are sufficient to cover any duty liability appertaining to the movement of their goods. Where goods are liable to customs duty the Customer shall apply for Customs Freight Simplified Procedures (CFSP) with HMRC. It is the responsibility of the Customer to provide Octavian with the relevant details in order to obtain authorisation for use of their deferment number.

Octavian's deferment account facilities can only be used if agreed in writing by an authorised representative of Octavian.

 

DELIVERIES

The Octavian delivery charges apply to deliveries between 8 am and 6 pm Mondays to Fridays. Octavian reserve the right to apply an order surcharge for any delivery times specified outside these hours.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing Octavian 's standard delivery criteria is when an order has been received by 12 noon on day zero, delivery will be day three, excluding Highlands / Borders, offshore deliveries, and certain other difficult postcodes which can be supplied on request.

For Export deliveries there will be a minimum seven day delivery period to the UK exit point.

Octavian will always use its reasonable endeavours to adhere to published delivery days and specified delivery times. However Octavian can accept no liability for missed deliveries and must reserve the right to alter delivery days and times without notice.

The carrier used for deliveries will be at Octavian's discretion. The Customer will be notified, as soon as reasonably practical, of any delivery discrepancies. Where Octavian has not been at fault redeliveries will be chargeable. In the event of a delivery vehicle being delayed by more than 1 hour prior to unloading at a delivery point, howsoever caused, Octavian reserves the right to levy a charge. These charges are currently as follows - after 1 hour £30, after 2 hours an additional £40, after 3 hours an additional £50, and after 4 hours an additional £60 per hour (or part thereof).

 

POINT OF DELIVERY

Drivers will only deliver to the entrance of the premises and will ensure the delivery is confirmed in their presence. If it is agreed that goods are to be carried into the premises, then this is at risk of the consignee and the Customer shall indemnify Octavian against any loss damage and or injury that may occur and Octavian shall be entitled to levy an additional charge.

 

DELIVERY DOCUMENTATION

Octavian will provide a scanned image of the Proof of Delivery (P.O.D.) upon request. A charge may be levied if hardcopy P.O.D.s are requested. POD's will be stored for a maximum of 6 months. Octavian cannot guarantee the retrieval of P.O.D.s after this 6 month period and shall have no liability whatsoever for losses however caused arising from claims relating to such POD's or the non-return of.

 

UPLIFTS

The Customer will supply Octavian with written collection instructions, including a declaration of the value of the consignment. Goods will be uplifted as soon as practicable and the client must package them in a secure and suitable manner for transit. Octavian will undertake a case count for the consignment to be collected and will not check product descriptions or case contents against the instructions. Octavian shall have no liability for loss or damage caused by incorrect packaging, product descriptions or case contents.

Octavian reserve the right to levy a surcharge for 'high value uplifts' to take account of the higher risk and/or cost of insurance and/or cost of special uplifts arrangements.

 

PALLETS

Unless otherwise agreed with the Customer, Octavian does not recognise or control the movement of GKN pallets, does not operate a one for one pallet exchange on receipt of goods, and does not have any liability to the Customer for pallets. Octavian reserves the right to charge the Customer for pallets provided by Octavian where goods are received loose, or have to be repalletised because of poor quality or incompatible pallets, or to comply with HMRC requirements, or for any other valid reason. On the delivery of goods, unless otherwise agreed with the Customer, Octavian operates a one for one pallet exchange with the delivery point (consignee) and Octavian reserves the right to charge the Customer for pallets not handed over to Octavian as part of the one for one exchange.

 

GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION AND TRANSPORT CHARGES

Octavian reserve the right to pass on any increase in charges incurred as a result of:

i) Changes in taxation imposed by the government on fuel, vehicle licences, VAT etc.

ii) Increases in commercial bulk fuel prices.

iii) Increases in insurance premiums caused by changing market conditions.

iv) The introduction of new (or changes to) employment legislation.

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