General Terms and Conditions of V-SPEDITION s.r.o.
General Terms and Conditions of the transport principal V-SPEDITION s.r.o. , with its registered office at Rovné 137, 067 32 Rovné (Humenné District), Slovak Republic, Company ID (IČO): 51 826 038, registered in the Business Register of the District Court Prešov, Section: Sro, Insert No. 36680/P.
Article I – Basic Provisions
(1) These General Terms and Conditions (hereinafter the “GTC”) are issued by V-SPEDITION s.r.o. to govern the rights and obligations of the parties to a contract for the carriage of goods (hereinafter the “contract of carriage”) concluded by V-SPEDITION s.r.o., with its registered office at Rovné 137, 067 32 Rovné, Slovak Republic, Company ID (IČO): 51 826 038 (hereinafter the “Principal”), with a natural person, legal entity or other entity that is an entrepreneur (hereinafter the “Carrier”). When concluding and performing the contract of carriage, the Carrier acts within the scope of its business activity. The subject of the contract of carriage is the regulation of the mutual rights and obligations of the parties in the carriage of a consignment.
(2) Carriage of a consignment means domestic or international carriage of a consignment. Domestic carriage is carriage in which the place of taking over the consignment and the place of its delivery (hereinafter the “place of destination”) are situated in one state. International carriage is carriage in which the place of taking over the consignment and the place of destination are situated in two different states.
(3) Under the contract of carriage, the Carrier undertakes to carry the consignment for the Principal from the place of loading to the place of destination, and the Principal undertakes to pay the Carrier a fee for it (hereinafter the “freight charge”).
(4) These GTC form an integral part of the contract of carriage concluded between the Carrier and the Principal (hereinafter the “parties”) within the meaning of Section 273 of the Commercial Code. Deviating provisions of the contract of carriage take precedence over the provisions of these GTC. Any deviations from these GTC must be agreed in writing, otherwise they are invalid.
(5) Legal relations established by the contract of carriage are governed by the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (Decree of the Minister of Foreign Affairs No. 11/1975 Coll., hereinafter the “CMR Convention”), where it applies pursuant to Article 1(1) to (4) of the CMR Convention, and subsidiarily by Act No. 513/1991 Coll., the Commercial Code, as amended (hereinafter the “Commercial Code”), and by these GTC. Where the CMR Convention cannot be applied to a given legal relation, it is governed by the Commercial Code, other legal regulations of the Slovak Republic and these GTC. In international carriage, the provisions of these GTC apply to the extent that they do not conflict with the CMR Convention (Article 41 of the CMR Convention).
(6) The Carrier is obliged to familiarise itself with these GTC before concluding the contract of carriage. The GTC apply to all contractual relations between the Carrier and the Principal concerning the carriage of a consignment, from the conclusion of the contract of carriage until all obligations arising from or related to it have been fully performed. By concluding the contract of carriage, the Carrier is bound by these GTC and expresses its consent to them. Consent to the GTC may also be expressed in another manner, in particular by electronic communication between the parties.
(7) Once these GTC have been accepted, all future legal relations between the parties are governed by these GTC until one party notifies the other in writing that it no longer wishes to be bound by them. The notice takes effect on the day of its delivery.
(8) The Carrier’s terms and conditions apply only if the Principal has expressly accepted in writing in the contract of carriage that they take precedence over these GTC. Otherwise, these GTC take precedence over the Carrier’s terms and conditions.
(9) The Principal is entitled to update or amend the GTC from time to time. The Principal will issue amendments, supplements or the full text of the updated GTC in writing and publish them in an appropriate manner on its website.
(10) If any provision of the GTC or of the contract of carriage is invalid, in particular due to a conflict with the CMR Convention (Article 41 of the CMR Convention), the remaining provisions are not affected. The parties will replace the invalid provision with a new one that comes as close as possible to the intention of the parties and complies with the CMR Convention.
(11) Where these GTC require the written form for a certain act, this requirement is also deemed to be met if the act is made in electronic form (e-mail, SMS, message in a freight exchange or application).
Article II – Transport Order and Conclusion of the Contract of Carriage
(1) The parties conclude the contract of carriage on the basis of the Principal’s transport order and its acceptance by the Carrier.
(2) A transport order is a unilateral legal act of the Principal towards the Carrier aimed at the performance of the carriage of a consignment. The order is deemed to be an offer to conclude a contract of carriage.
(3) The Principal sends the order to the Carrier by e-mail or by other electronic means. The order contains in particular:
• the Principal’s identification data (company name, registered office, Company ID, Tax ID) and the name and contact details of the dispatcher in charge,
• specification of the consignment (type, dimensions, weight, number of packages),
• place of loading, date and time of loading and opening hours of the place of loading,
• place of unloading, date and time of unloading and opening hours of the place of unloading,
• the freight price,
• any special requirements of the Principal regarding the carriage.
(4) The order is deemed duly accepted if the Carrier confirms it in writing, confirms the consignment note or CMR consignment note, or does not expressly reject it within 30 minutes during business hours of its delivery by e-mail.
(5) The person accepting the order declares that it is duly authorised, appointed or empowered to conclude the contract of carriage. If this declaration is untrue, that person is liable for all damage arising from the invalid conclusion of the contract or from invalidly agreed terms. That person also declares that if the Carrier on whose behalf it acts fails to pay a monetary obligation arising from these GTC, it will pay it as guarantor.
(6) By accepting the order, the contract of carriage is concluded and the Carrier undertakes to perform the ordered carriage for the Principal under the agreed terms.
(7) If the Carrier confirms the order with written reservations, additions, limitations or other changes, this constitutes a rejection of the original offer and a new offer by the Carrier. The contract of carriage is concluded only when the Principal confirms the new offer without reservation.
(8) The parties are bound by the concluded contract of carriage and are not entitled to cancel it unilaterally unless the contract of carriage, these GTC or a generally binding legal regulation provide otherwise. Amendments and supplements to the contract of carriage may only be made in writing.
(9) The document evidencing the conclusion of the contract of carriage is the consignment note, and in international carriage the CMR consignment note, made out in three original copies signed by the sender of the consignment and the Carrier (Article 5 of the CMR Convention). The absence, irregularity or loss of the consignment note does not affect the existence or validity of the contract of carriage (Article 4 of the CMR Convention).
(10) If the consignment has to be loaded onto several vehicles, or if different types or separate parts of the consignment are involved, the Principal or the Carrier may request that as many consignment notes be issued as there are vehicles used or types or parts of the consignment loaded.
Article III – Rights and Obligations of the Parties
General obligations of the Carrier
(1) The Carrier is obliged to perform the carriage in accordance with the agreed terms, with professional care and to a high standard. In particular, it is obliged to take proper care of the entrusted consignment and of items taken over in connection with the consignment (for example, documents relating to the consignment).
(2) The Carrier is obliged to follow the Principal’s instructions concerning the method, type and route of carriage and the designation of the consignee. If it has not received the necessary instructions, it is obliged to request them. If the carriage cannot be performed in accordance with the contract or if obstacles to delivery arise, the Carrier is obliged to ask the Principal for instructions (Articles 14 and 15 of the CMR Convention). Where there is a risk of delay, the Carrier is obliged to continue the carriage even without instructions so as to protect the Principal’s interests as far as possible. The Principal is entitled to charge the Carrier the actual costs incurred as a result of failure to follow its instructions.
(3) The Principal is obliged to provide the Carrier with true information on the contents of the consignment, its nature, type, weight and number of packages. Loading, inspection of the consignment and unloading
(4) The Carrier is obliged to be present at loading and unloading and is responsible for their proper performance. On taking over the consignment, it is obliged to check the accuracy of the particulars in the consignment note or CMR consignment note, the number of packages, their marks, the apparent condition of the consignment and its packaging (Article 8 of the CMR Convention), as well as the quantity and weight of the consignment and the way it is stowed on the vehicle. It is further obliged to check the accompanying documents (delivery note, pallet slips, etc.) and to ensure that the particulars in them correspond to the actual condition of the consignment and to the particulars in the accepted order. The Carrier is obliged to have the consignment note, CMR consignment note or other transport document confirmed at loading. If any discrepancy, problem or change in the weight or quantity of goods is found, the Carrier or its driver is obliged to contact the Principal’s dispatcher without delay, before any entry is made in the CMR consignment note, and request instructions on how to proceed (duty to notify). The Carrier must not leave the place of loading until it has received instructions from the Principal. If it does not agree with the instructions, it is obliged to perform the carriage as agreed in the contract of carriage, and in all other cases in accordance with the Principal’s instructions. If the Carrier fails to fulfil the duty to notify and, because of the discrepancy found, does not carry the entire consignment as handed over to it at loading, it is obliged to pay the Principal a contractual penalty equal to the agreed freight price. If the Carrier fails to fulfil the duty to notify and carries the consignment as handed over to it, it does so at its own responsibility, and all related damage, costs and sanctions are borne exclusively by the Carrier. If the Carrier loads a smaller quantity or weight than stated in the accepted order, the Principal is entitled to arrange substitute carriage of the unloaded part itself or through a third party and to charge the Carrier the actual costs incurred. This does not affect the Principal’s claim to the contractual penalty under this paragraph or its claims in the event of loss of the consignment or exceeding the transit time.
(5) The Carrier is obliged to alert the person for whom the Principal arranges the carriage through the Carrier (hereinafter the “customer”), or the person loading, to any improper stowage of the consignment on the vehicle. If the customer does not re-stow the consignment, the Carrier is obliged to inform the Principal immediately and to enter a written reservation in the CMR consignment note (Article 8(2) of the CMR Convention). At loading, the Carrier is obliged to have available the securing equipment necessary for securing the load (anti-slip mats, edge protectors, a sufficient number of lashing straps with a standard tensile strength of 250 to 500 daN, unless stated otherwise) and to secure the load in accordance with the applicable safety regulations so that it is not damaged or lost.
(6) The Principal bears no liability or additional costs if the goods are loaded in a way that does not allow unloading from the rear or from a ramp. Loading or unloading from the side must be confirmed in advance in writing by the Principal. The Carrier is liable in full for all additional costs arising from the driver allowing such loading.
(7) The Carrier is obliged to inform the Principal when the vehicle arrives for loading and, after loading, of the actual loaded weight of the consignment.
(8) In the event of an accident, detention of the vehicle or another obstacle preventing the proper performance or completion of the carriage with the agreed vehicle, the Carrier is obliged, without delay and at its own expense, to provide another vehicle with similar specifications. If it fails to do so, it is obliged to reimburse the Principal for all costs associated with providing another vehicle and also to pay a contractual penalty of 1/10 of the agreed freight price.
(9) The Carrier is obliged to perform the carriage itself. The use of a third party (with the exception of its own employees) is not permitted without the prior express written consent of the Principal. For a breach of this obligation, the Carrier is obliged to pay a contractual penalty equal to the agreed freight price for each individual breach. If the Carrier performs the carriage through another carrier, it is liable for that carrier’s acts as for its own (Article 3 of the CMR Convention).
(10) Without the Principal’s prior written consent, the Carrier must not use the consignment or allow a third party to use it, carry other cargo together with the consignment, or transship, unload or add the consignment to another vehicle. From loading until unloading of the consignment, the driver must not consume alcohol or other addictive substances. For each individual breach of any of these prohibitions, the Carrier is obliged to pay a contractual penalty of EUR 500. Information obligations
(11) The Carrier is obliged to inform the Principal without delay of any risk of damage and of other circumstances affecting the proper performance of the contract of carriage. If damage occurs, it is obliged to take the necessary measures to keep the damage to a minimum. The Carrier is obliged to inform the Principal of the completion of loading, customs clearance and unloading of the consignment, of the completion of unloading no later than within one hour, and without delay of any problems during unloading. At the Principal’s request, the Carrier is obliged to state fully and truthfully, within 2 hours, where the consignment is located and what the status of the carriage is. If the order specifies contact persons of the Principal (dispatcher), the Carrier provides information through them, including by telephone. The Carrier is obliged at any time during the carriage to provide the Principal with the driver’s telephone number and to ensure that the driver is reachable at that number throughout the carriage. For a breach of any obligation under this paragraph, the Carrier is obliged to reimburse the Principal for the costs incurred and to pay a contractual penalty of EUR 200 for each individual breach. The duty to report delays is governed separately by paragraph 12.
(12) Duty to report delays. If the Carrier is at risk of not meeting the loading or unloading time stated in the accepted order, it is obliged to inform the Principal’s dispatcher in writing (by e-mail or SMS) no later than 2 hours before the end of the agreed time. If the order states only a day without a specific hour, the deadline is no later than 2 hours before the end of the opening hours of the place of loading or unloading. If the reason for the delay arises later, for example due to an accident or vehicle breakdown, the Carrier is obliged to inform the dispatcher without delay, no later than within 30 minutes of its occurrence. The notice must state the reason for the delay and the expected new time of arrival. For a breach of this obligation, the Carrier is obliged to pay the Principal a contractual penalty of EUR 100 for each day or part of a day on which it failed to inform the Principal, but not more than the agreed freight charge. Loading and unloading times
(13) If the Carrier reports for loading or unloading at a time other than that stated in the order or subsequently specified by the Principal, it does so at its own risk. The Principal is entitled to charge the Carrier the actual costs incurred as a result.
(14) Delay in loading. If the Carrier is more than 2 hours late in presenting the vehicle for loading compared with the time stated in the accepted order, it is obliged to pay the Principal a contractual penalty of EUR 50 for each further commenced hour of delay. If the Principal’s customer imposes a sanction on the Principal for this delay and that sanction is higher, the contractual penalty equals the amount of the customer’s sanction. The contractual penalty under this paragraph shall not exceed the agreed freight charge. This obligation does not apply if the delay was caused by the Principal or the customer, or by circumstances excluding liability (Section 374 of the Commercial Code).
(15) Failure to provide the vehicle and cancellation of the carriage by the Carrier. If the Carrier fails to present the vehicle for loading or cancels the carriage less than 24 hours before the scheduled loading, the Principal is not obliged to pay the freight charge and is entitled to charge the Carrier a contractual penalty equal to the agreed freight price. In addition to the contractual penalty, the Carrier is obliged to reimburse the Principal for the difference between the agreed price and the price of substitute carriage, as well as for sanctions imposed on the Principal by its customer, if together they exceed the contractual penalty.
(16) Delay in unloading. The Carrier is obliged to present the vehicle with the consignment at the place of unloading no later than at the time stated in the accepted order (Article 19 of the CMR Convention). The Carrier is liable for delay pursuant to Article 17 and Article 23(5) of the CMR Convention and is obliged to compensate the Principal for the damage caused by the delay, in particular sanctions imposed on the Principal by its customer, but not more than the agreed freight charge. The decisive time is the time the vehicle is presented for unloading, as evidenced by an entry in the CMR consignment note, confirmation by the consignee or the vehicle’s GPS record. The duty to report delays and the contractual penalty for its breach under paragraph 12 are not affected.
(17) Waiting and leaving the place of loading or unloading. The agreed freight price includes waiting time for loading or unloading of up to 24 hours. This period is extended by public holidays and weekends that begin during it. The Carrier is not entitled to claim compensation for waiting exceeding 1/10 of the agreed freight price. If the Carrier leaves the place of loading or unloading before the end of this period without the written consent of the Principal’s dispatcher, it is obliged to reimburse the Principal for all costs associated with providing another vehicle and to pay a contractual penalty of 1/5 of the agreed freight price, but not less than EUR 100. If the Principal’s customer imposes a sanction on the Principal in this connection and that sanction is higher, the contractual penalty equals the amount of the customer’s sanction. Parking, vehicle and crew
(18) Throughout the carriage, the Carrier may park the vehicle with the consignment only in safe, guarded and fenced car parks with a CCTV system intended for this purpose. The Carrier is obliged to compensate in full for any damage to the consignment caused by a breach of this obligation; in international carriage this may constitute wilful misconduct or gross negligence within the meaning of
Article 29 of the CMR Convention.
(19) The Carrier is responsible for the satisfactory technical condition of the vehicle, including the loading area and an undamaged tarpaulin, for the mandatory equipment of the crew and its use (safety helmet, goggles, work gloves, safety footwear and other personal protective equipment required at the place of loading and unloading), and for ensuring that the carriage is performed only by persons with the necessary professional competence. The vehicle must be equipped with a tracking device or other means of communication active throughout the entire route. The crew is obliged to observe the smoking ban on the premises at the place of loading and unloading. For a breach of any obligation under this paragraph, the Carrier is obliged to pay a contractual penalty of EUR 200 for each individual breach. Insurance and liability for damage
(20) The Carrier declares that, on the date of conclusion of the contract of carriage, it holds valid carrier’s liability insurance with a cover of at least EUR 33,000 for a vehicle up to 3.5 t, EUR 75,000 for a vehicle up to 7.5 t and EUR 150,000 for a vehicle up to 40 t, but always at least in the amount of the actual value of the consignment carried. The Principal will notify the Carrier of the value of the consignment. If it does not notify the Carrier by the day preceding the carriage, the Carrier is obliged to request it; otherwise the Carrier is deemed to have been duly informed of the value of the consignment and to hold insurance to the extent set out in the first sentence. The insurance must remain in force at least until the carriage is completed. On request, the Carrier is obliged to send the Principal a copy of the insurance policy by e-mail. The Carrier is responsible for the validity of all permits and documents required for the carriage. For a breach of any obligation under this paragraph, the Carrier is obliged to pay a contractual penalty of EUR 1,000 for each individual breach; where the minimum insurance cover is not met, a contractual penalty equal to the difference between the agreed and the actual insurance cover.
(21) The Carrier is liable for damage to the consignment and for delay pursuant to the CMR Convention (in particular Articles 17 to 29); for carriage not governed by the CMR Convention, pursuant to the Commercial Code and other regulations of the Slovak Republic. The Carrier is liable for the acts of its employees, drivers and other persons it uses to perform the carriage as for its own acts (Article 3 of the CMR Convention). Any damage incurred is settled primarily from the Carrier’s insurance. Protection of the Principal’s customers
(22) The Carrier and its drivers are strictly prohibited from contacting the Principal’s customer, the sender, the consignee or other persons named in the CMR consignment note, delivery note or order (by telephone, SMS, e-mail, messaging apps, in person or otherwise), in particular for the purpose of arranging or enquiring about loading or unloading times, opening hours, the possibility of earlier or later arrival and similar matters. The Carrier deals with all such questions, changes and problems exclusively with the Principal’s dispatcher. This does not apply to the driver’s necessary communication directly at the place of loading or unloading related to the performance of the carriage, or to contact justified by an existing contractual relationship between the Carrier and the customer. If the Carrier or its driver breaches this prohibition and the person concerned objects to the Principal, the Carrier is obliged to pay a contractual penalty of EUR 100 for each such case. The Principal will evidence the objection by an e-mail, message or other record from the person concerned.
(23) The Carrier undertakes that, for one year from the date the carriage was performed, it will not offer transport services to the Principal’s customer (place of loading, sender, consignee or owner of the consignment), quote prices to it or conclude a contract of carriage with it, unless such contact is justified by an existing contractual relationship. The Carrier undertakes to protect the interests of the Principal and of all parties involved in the carriage and to maintain trade secrets. For a breach of the obligations under this paragraph, the Carrier is obliged to pay a contractual penalty equal to four times the agreed freight charge. Contractual penalties, compensation for damage and set-off
(24) The Carrier is obliged to pay the contractual penalty even if the Principal has not suffered any damage as a result of the breach (Section 544(2) of the Commercial Code). By way of derogation from Section 545(2) of the Commercial Code, the Principal is entitled, in addition to the contractual penalty, to compensation for damage exceeding the contractual penalty; in international carriage within the limits of the CMR Convention. Claiming the contractual penalty does not affect the Principal’s claim to insurance indemnity.
(25) In the event of a breach of an obligation secured by a contractual penalty, the Principal is entitled to claim from the Carrier compensation for damage alone, without the contractual penalty. The choice between the contractual penalty and compensation for damage belongs exclusively to the Principal.
(26) The Principal will evidence the amount of a sanction imposed by the customer or other damage by a copy of the customer’s invoice or statement, or by another document. The Principal claims the contractual penalty or compensation for damage in writing (including electronically) in such a way that its purpose is clear. It is deemed claimed on the day following the day on which the Carrier could have become acquainted with it and is due on the following day. The Principal is entitled to set off contractual penalties and claims for compensation for damage against the freight charge (Section 358 et seq. of the Commercial Code). Cancellation of the order and claims of the Carrier
(27) The Principal is entitled to cancel the order without any sanctions no later than 12 hours before the scheduled loading. In the event of cancellation within a shorter period, it is obliged to compensate the Carrier for proven damage, but not more than 1/5 of the agreed freight price.
(28) The Carrier is not entitled to claim compensation for damage arising from a breach of obligations under the contract of carriage in an amount exceeding 1/5 of the agreed freight price, even where several claims are combined.
Article IV – Final Provisions
(1) The contract of carriage is governed by the CMR Convention and, in matters not regulated by it, by the law of the Slovak Republic, in particular the Commercial Code (Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 593/2008 – Rome I).
(2) The courts of the Slovak Republic have jurisdiction to settle disputes arising from the contract of carriage; in international carriage, this does not affect the courts having jurisdiction under Article 31(1) of the CMR Convention.
(3) These GTC are drawn up in the Slovak, English, German and Polish languages, and all language versions are legally equivalent. In the event of ambiguity or conflicting interpretation of the provisions of these GTC in the Slovak, English, German or Polish language, the commercial and contractual relations between the Principal and the Carrier are governed by the Slovak language version of the GTC.
(4) These updated GTC are valid from 20 October 2026 and apply to all contracts of carriage concluded from that date. Amendments and supplements to these GTC take effect on the date of their publication on the Principal’s website and apply to contracts of carriage concluded after that date.
Rovné, 21 October 2026
V-SPEDITION s.r.o.
Ing. Jaroslav Vočko