Last Updated: June 22, 2026
1. Acceptance of Terms
These Terms of Service (“Terms”) constitute a legally binding agreement between you (“Client,” “Customer,” “you,” or “your”) and Universal Shipping Inc. (“USI Ship,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), governing your access to and use of the website located at usiship.com (the “Site”) and all related freight forwarding, logistics, warehousing, and shipping services we provide (collectively, the “Services”).
By accessing the Site, requesting a quote, booking a shipment, or otherwise using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, along with our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access the Site or use our Services.
If you are using our Services on behalf of a company or other legal entity, you represent that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms.
2. Description of Services
USI Ship provides freight forwarding and logistics services, including but not limited to:
- Ocean freight forwarding (LCL and FCL)
- Domestic and cross-border trucking (LTL and FTL)
- Third-party logistics (3PL) and warehousing
- Amazon FBA prep and inbound shipment coordination
- Customs brokerage coordination and documentation support
- Freight consolidation and cargo tracking
As a licensed Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC), USI Ship issues bills of lading and arranges carriage of goods by ocean, air, and ground on behalf of our clients, using a network of underlying carriers, agents, and service providers. We act as an intermediary and, in many cases, as a contracting party for carriage, subject to the specific terms of each shipment booking, quote, or service agreement.
The availability, scope, and pricing of Services may vary based on origin, destination, cargo type, regulatory requirements, and carrier capacity, and are subject to change without prior notice to the general public (though existing bookings will be honored per their confirmed terms).
3. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts to use our Services. By using the Site or Services, you represent and warrant that you meet these requirements and that all information you provide to us is accurate, current, and complete.
4. Quotes, Bookings, and Account Information
4.1 Quotes. Quotes provided through the Site, by email, or by phone are estimates only and are not binding offers unless explicitly confirmed in writing by an authorized USI Ship representative. Quotes are subject to change based on fuel surcharges, carrier rate adjustments, customs duties, accessorial charges, peak season surcharges, and other factors outside our control.
4.2 Bookings. A shipment booking is only confirmed once you receive written confirmation from USI Ship. We reserve the right to decline or cancel any booking at our discretion, including but not limited to cases involving prohibited goods, incomplete documentation, or non-payment.
4.3 Account Accuracy. If you create an account or submit shipment information through the Site, you are responsible for ensuring all cargo descriptions, weights, dimensions, values, and documentation are accurate and complete. Misdeclared or undeclared cargo may result in delays, fines, additional charges, cargo refusal, or seizure by customs or regulatory authorities, and you assume full responsibility for any resulting costs or liability.
5. Fees, Payment Terms, and Charges
5.1 Payment. All Services are subject to the fees set forth in your quote, invoice, or service agreement. Payment terms will be specified at the time of booking and may include prepayment, net terms (for approved accounts), or payment upon delivery, at USI Ship’s discretion.
5.2 Additional Charges. You may be subject to additional charges not included in the original quote, including but not limited to: demurrage, detention, storage fees, customs exam fees, redelivery fees, accessorial charges, currency adjustment factors, and fees resulting from incorrect or incomplete shipment information you provided.
5.3 Late Payment. Invoices not paid by the due date may accrue interest at the maximum rate permitted by law and may result in suspension of Services, a general lien on cargo in our possession or control until payment is received, or referral to collections.
5.4 Disputes. Any disputes regarding an invoice must be raised in writing within fifteen (15) days of the invoice date. Failure to dispute within this period constitutes acceptance of the charges.
6. Customer Responsibilities
You agree to:
- Provide accurate and complete information regarding cargo, including HS codes, weights, dimensions, value, and nature of goods
- Ensure all goods tendered for shipment comply with applicable laws, including export/import regulations, hazardous materials regulations, and customs requirements
- Obtain all necessary licenses, permits, and authorizations required for your shipments
- Properly package and label cargo in accordance with industry standards and carrier requirements
- Not tender prohibited, illegal, or undeclared hazardous goods without prior written disclosure and authorization
- Pay all applicable duties, taxes, tariffs, and fees associated with your shipments
You acknowledge that USI Ship is not responsible for verifying the accuracy of cargo declarations and that you bear sole responsibility for compliance with all applicable import/export laws and regulations.
7. Prohibited and Restricted Goods
USI Ship does not knowingly transport illegal goods, undeclared hazardous materials, counterfeit goods, or items prohibited by U.S. law or the law of the origin/destination country. We reserve the right to inspect, refuse, hold, or dispose of any shipment we reasonably believe violates this provision, at your expense, without liability to USI Ship.
8. Limitation of Liability
8.1 Carrier Liability. Where USI Ship acts as an NVOCC or arranges carriage through underlying ocean, air, or ground carriers, our liability for loss, damage, or delay to cargo is governed by the applicable bill of lading, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA), the Carmack Amendment (for U.S. domestic motor carriage), applicable international conventions, or the terms of the underlying carrier’s tariff — whichever applies to the specific shipment. These liability limitations are often significantly lower than the actual value of goods, and you are encouraged to purchase cargo insurance for full value protection.
8.2 General Limitation. To the maximum extent permitted by law, USI Ship’s total liability for any claim arising from or related to the Services — whether in contract, tort, or otherwise — shall not exceed the lesser of (a) the amount you paid for the specific shipment or service giving rise to the claim, or (b) the limits established under applicable carrier liability law referenced in Section 8.1.
8.3 Consequential Damages. In no event shall USI Ship be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to lost profits, lost business opportunities, or loss of use, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
8.4 Force Majeure. USI Ship is not liable for delays, loss, or failure to perform caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, port congestion, strikes, customs delays, war, government action, pandemics, or carrier capacity shortages.
8.5 Claims Period. Any claim for loss, damage, or delay must be submitted in writing within the time period specified by the applicable bill of lading or carrier tariff, and in no event later than nine (9) months from the date of delivery (or expected delivery), or such claim is forever waived.
9. Cargo Insurance
USI Ship may offer or facilitate cargo insurance options, but unless you have specifically purchased cargo insurance through us or independently, your shipment is not insured beyond the minimum liability limits described in Section 8. We strongly recommend that all clients obtain appropriate cargo insurance for shipments of significant value.
10. Intellectual Property
All content on the Site — including text, graphics, logos, software, and design — is the property of USI Ship or its licensors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any Site content without our prior written consent.
11. Website Use and Acceptable Conduct
You agree not to:
- Use the Site for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems, accounts, or data
- Interfere with or disrupt the Site’s functionality or security
- Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information
- Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access the Site without our written permission
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Site or Services for any violation of these Terms.
12. Third-Party Services and Links
The Site may contain links to third-party websites or reference third-party carriers, customs brokers, or service providers. USI Ship does not control and is not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of third parties. Your use of any third-party service is subject to that party’s own terms and policies.
13. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless USI Ship, its officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your breach of these Terms; (b) inaccurate or incomplete information you provided regarding cargo or shipments; (c) your violation of any applicable law or regulation; or (d) your misuse of the Site or Services.
14. Termination
We may suspend or terminate your access to the Site or Services at any time, with or without cause, including for violation of these Terms, non-payment, or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination (including Sections 8, 13, and 15) will continue to apply.
15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of laws principles, except where superseded by applicable federal law (including COGSA or the Carmack Amendment) or international convention governing carriage of goods.
Any dispute arising under these Terms shall first be subject to good-faith negotiation between the parties. If unresolved within thirty (30) days, disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in Perris, California, except that either party may seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction where necessary to prevent irreparable harm.
16. Changes to These Terms
We may revise these Terms from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Continued use of the Site or Services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. Material changes affecting active service agreements will be communicated directly to affected clients where required.
17. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
18. Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with any signed service agreement, bill of lading, or order confirmation applicable to a specific shipment, constitute the entire agreement between you and USI Ship regarding the Services, and supersede any prior agreements or understandings, written or oral.
19. Contact Information
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:
Universal Shipping Inc. Website: usiship.com Email: sales.usi@usiship.com Phone: +1 909 628 2226
Address: 131 Perry Street Perris, CA 92571 United States