Terms and Conditions of Service

Last updated: October 2026

All services rendered by M3 International Logistics Corp., acting as freight forwarder and/or NVOCC, are subject to applicable international terms and conditions of carriage. Limitations of liability are governed by local and international transport terms and conditions under the laws of the Republic of Panama and the General Conditions of Panamanian Freight Forwarders of the Panamanian Association of Freight Forwarders [APAC-CGTP], as well as the terms and conditions of the Bill of Lading (B/L), Air Waybill (AWB) or Charter Party (C/P), as applicable to the mode of transport. A copy of such terms is available upon request.

Download the General Conditions of Panamanian Freight Forwarders (APAC-CGTP) – PDF, in Spanish

1. Scope and acceptance

These Terms and Conditions of Service apply to every quotation, booking, instruction, contract and service provided by M3 International Logistics Corp. (“M3”), including the arrangement of ocean, air and land transport, consolidation, chartering and brokerage, intermediate storage, customs formalities, petroleum logistics and any related logistics services.

By requesting a quotation, tendering goods, sending instructions or accepting a service from M3, the customer acknowledges and accepts these terms. Customer terms not accepted in writing by M3 shall not apply.

2. Definitions

Customer: the owner of the goods, their holder or anyone duly authorized to act on their behalf, including the shipper, consignee and holder of the transport document.
Freight forwarder: the party that arranges the carriage of goods for a fee, selecting and contracting transport operators, in accordance with the CGTP.
NVOCC / Multimodal transport operator: M3 when it issues its own transport document (house B/L, house air waybill or similar) and assumes liability for the carriage as contracting carrier.
Carrier or transport operator: the shipping line, airline, trucker, shipowner or any person who actually performs the carriage.
Transport document: the Bill of Lading (B/L), including the FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FBL), the Air Waybill (AWB) or the Charter Party (C/P), as applicable.
CGTP: the General Conditions of Panamanian Freight Forwarders adopted by the Panamanian Association of Freight Forwarders (APAC), in force since May 1, 2004.
SDR: Special Drawing Rights as defined by the International Monetary Fund.

3. Capacity in which M3 acts

M3 may act (a) as a freight forwarder, arranging the service on the customer’s behalf and contracting third-party carriers, in which case it is liable only for the careful selection of such carriers; or (b) as an NVOCC or multimodal transport operator, when it issues its own transport document, in which case its liability is governed by the conditions of that document.

The capacity in which M3 acts in each shipment is the one stated in the quotation, booking confirmation or transport document issued.

4. Applicable conditions and order of precedence

Each service is governed, in the following order, by:

The mandatory provisions of the international conventions and laws of the Republic of Panama applicable to the mode of transport.
The terms and conditions of the transport document issued: the B/L (including, when M3 issues a FIATA multimodal B/L, the FIATA Standard Conditions (1992) printed on its reverse), the Air Waybill (AWB) and the air carrier’s conditions of carriage, or the Charter Party (C/P).
The APAC CGTP (download PDF), for all freight forwarding, intermediate storage and related logistics services.
These Terms and Conditions of Service.
Any specific conditions agreed in writing in the quotation or contract.

5. Quotations and rates

Quotations are based on the normal size, weight and nature of the declared cargo, normal transport conditions, the availability of immediate transshipment, and the exchange rates, freight rates and surcharges in force when quoted. Changes in these conditions (including fuel, peak season, congestion, security surcharges or government fees) entitle M3 to adjust its rates.

Unless another validity is stated, quotations are valid for immediate acceptance. If a service is cancelled or revoked, M3 is entitled to charge the expenses incurred and its fees for services already performed. If the consignee refuses the goods or delivery becomes impossible for reasons beyond M3’s control, storage, return or forwarding costs shall be borne by the customer.

6. Customer obligations

Provide written instructions (electronic communication is accepted) with complete and accurate information: shipper, consignee, addresses, marks, numbers, quantity, type, contents, weight, measurements and value of the goods.
Inform M3 in writing before tendering the goods if the cargo includes dangerous goods (with their IMDG, IATA DGR or other applicable classification and required safety measures), live animals or plants, perishable, fragile goods or goods requiring special handling.
Declare in writing any high-value or theft-prone goods (cash, precious metals and stones, jewelry, watches, art, antiques, securities, liquor, tobacco, electronic and telecommunications equipment, among others) and any cargo with an actual value of US$ 50.00 or more per kilogram, so that M3 may decide whether to accept the service and take appropriate measures.
Pack and mark packages adequately, clearly and durably, removing obsolete marks, so that the goods withstand the carriage and cannot be pilfered without leaving visible traces. Packages exceeding 1,000 kg carried by sea must be marked with their weight.
Timely provide commercial invoices, packing lists, permits, licenses, certificates and any other required documents, and comply with the customs, sanitary, export control and sanctions regulations of the countries of origin, transit and destination.

M3 is not obliged to verify the contents, value, quantity or quality of the goods, nor the authenticity of signatures or documents. If the goods or instructions do not meet these conditions, M3 may refuse the goods, return them, or perform the service and charge the additional costs. The customer shall be liable for and indemnify M3 against any loss, fine, damage or expense arising from inaccurate or incomplete information or misdeclared goods; under the FIATA B/L, the penalties for incorrect declaration set out in its conditions also apply.

7. Services not included unless agreed

Unless agreed in writing, M3’s services do not include packing, weighing, inspection or preservation of the goods, nor cargo insurance. Customs formalities, when required for the carriage, are invoiced separately. Delivered duty paid services are subject to the customer providing the required documentation.

8. Transit times, routing and mode of transport

Dates and transit times provided are estimates. M3 does not guarantee departure, transit or delivery times unless expressly agreed in writing. Subject to the conditions of the transport document, M3 may choose or substitute the means, route, operator and procedure for handling, stowage, storage and carriage most suitable for performing the service.

9. Cargo insurance

Goods are not insured by M3 unless the customer requests it in writing before tendering the goods, stating the sum to be insured. At the customer’s request and cost, M3 may arrange “All Risks” cover under the Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or the broadest cover available, and will inform the customer if such cover cannot be obtained due to the type of goods, route or risk. Handling insurance claims may incur additional fees. We recommend insuring all cargo, as the liability limits below may be lower than the value of the goods.

10. Liability and limitations

M3’s liability for loss, damage or delay is governed by the regime applicable to the capacity in which it acts and the mode of transport:

As freight forwarder (CGTP): up to US$ 1.50 per kilogram of gross weight of the goods claimed, with a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per claim.
Under the FIATA multimodal B/L: up to 666.67 SDR per package or unit, or 2 SDR per kilogram of gross weight, whichever is higher; if the carriage does not include carriage by sea or inland waterways, up to 8.33 SDR per kilogram. Where US COGSA applies, up to US$ 500 per package or customary freight unit. Liability for delay is limited to the equivalent of twice the freight for the affected carriage and applies only if the shipper declared in writing an interest in timely delivery. Where the stage in which the loss occurred is known, the limit of the mandatory convention or law governing that stage applies.
Air transport (AWB): in accordance with the 1999 Montreal Convention or the Warsaw Convention and its protocols, as applicable, and the air carrier’s conditions of carriage stated on the Air Waybill, with the per-kilogram limits in force.
Charter (C/P): in accordance with the terms of the agreed Charter Party.

These limits may only be exceeded when the customer has declared a higher value in writing before tendering the goods, such value is stated on the transport document and the corresponding ad valorem freight has been paid. Compensation is calculated according to the value of the goods at the place and time of delivery.

11. Exclusions of liability

In addition to the exclusions in the applicable transport document, M3 shall not be liable for loss, damage or expense caused by:

Insufficient or defective packing, marking, stowage or container loading performed by the customer or by third parties on its behalf.
Inherent vice, latent defects or the nature of the goods (shrinkage, decay, rust, among others).
Open-air storage when agreed or customary.
Aggravated theft, robbery, piracy, acts of war, terrorism, strikes, riots or acts of authorities, including customs inspections, detentions or seizures.
Force majeure or acts of God, weather conditions, epidemics, equipment or communication failures, damage caused by other goods or by animals.
Delay in delivery, except as expressly provided in the transport document.
Loss of profit, loss of market or customers, fines, depreciation, or indirect or consequential damages of any kind.

12. Hindrances and force majeure

Hindrances beyond M3’s control release it from its obligations for as long as they last. In such case, either party may terminate the service, even if partially performed, and the customer shall reimburse the necessary expenses incurred. M3 may place the goods at the customer’s disposal at any place it deems safe, whereupon delivery shall be deemed made. Additional costs arising from deviation, delay, war, epidemics, strikes, government orders or force majeure shall be borne by the customer.

13. Delivery, storage and demurrage

Delivery is deemed made when the goods are handed over or placed at the disposal of the consignee or its agent, or of any authority or third party to whom the law requires them to be delivered. If the goods are not collected, M3 may store them at the customer’s risk and expense. Storage, demurrage and detention charges for containers or equipment not attributable to M3 shall be paid by the customer.

14. Invoicing, payment and currency

M3’s invoices are payable immediately, unless credit has been approved in writing, and must be paid regardless of any claim the customer may have, without deduction or set-off.
Amounts are invoiced in United States dollars (US$) or another currency at M3’s option; payments made in foreign currency will be converted at the bank exchange rate on the payment date.
Freight is deemed earned when M3 takes the goods in charge. An instruction to collect freight from the consignee or a third party does not release the customer from its obligation to pay if they fail to do so.
All duties, taxes, fees and expenses relating to the goods are for the customer’s account, and the customer shall immediately release M3 from any payment obligation imposed on it as authorized party or custodian of the goods.
Overdue balances may accrue interest and collection costs as permitted by law.

15. Lien

M3 has a lien and right of retention over the goods and documents in its possession for any amount owed by the customer, including storage and recovery costs, up to the amount owed plus interest and legal costs. If the customer is in default, after notice, M3 may sell the retained goods out of court in the quantity necessary to cover the amount owed, in accordance with the CGTP and Panamanian law.

16. General average

The customer shall indemnify M3 for any general average contribution claimed from it and shall provide such security as the carrier or average adjuster may require to release the goods.

17. Notice of loss or damage and claims

Upon receiving the goods, the consignee must check the number of packages, marks, external condition and seals, and note any irregularity in writing on the delivery document.
Under the FIATA B/L, if the loss or damage is not apparent, written notice must be given within 6 consecutive days after delivery; otherwise the goods are presumed delivered as described in the document.
Any other loss must be notified to M3 in writing immediately and no later than 3 business days after becoming aware of it, without prejudice to the carrier’s notice periods under the contract of carriage.
Claims must include the transport document, commercial invoice, packing list, delivery receipt with remarks, survey report and photographs. The customer must prove that the goods were delivered to M3 in good order and in the declared quantity. M3 will reasonably cooperate to determine where the damage occurred and, where it does not assume liability itself, will assign to the customer its rights against the responsible third party.
Filing a claim does not suspend the obligation to pay invoiced freight and services.

18. Time bar

M3 shall be discharged from all liability unless legal or arbitration proceedings are brought within the following periods, counted from delivery of the goods, from the date they should have been delivered, or from the date their loss was first reported:

6 months for services governed by the CGTP.
9 months for carriage under the FIATA multimodal B/L.
2 years for air carriage under the Montreal Convention, or the mandatory period applicable under the transport document.

19. Governing law and jurisdiction

These terms and all relations between M3 and its customers are governed by the laws of the Republic of Panama. The place of performance and jurisdiction for all parties is M3’s domicile in Panama City, unless a mandatory provision of the transport document provides otherwise.

20. Personal data

Information provided by the customer is used to perform and document the services and may be shared with carriers, customs authorities and other third parties necessary for the operation, in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

21. Severability

If any clause or part of these terms is held invalid, the remaining clauses shall remain in full force and effect.

22. Copy of applicable terms

The APAC CGTP can be downloaded here as a PDF (in Spanish). A copy of the B/L, Air Waybill or Charter Party conditions applicable to each service is available upon request through our contact page or at operaciones@m3intl.com.

23. Invoice and document legend

M3’s invoices and commercial documents include the following legend, which refers to these terms:

Services subject to international T&C of carriage, the laws of the Republic of Panama, the conditions of the Panamanian Association of Freight Forwarders [APAC-CGTP] and the T&C of the B/L, AWB or C/P according to the mode of transport.