Shipping & Logistics Policy

1. OVERVIEW & APPLICABILITY

This Shipping & Logistics Policy ("Policy") governs the transit, transport, and delivery of chemical products, raw materials, formulations, and bulk consignments contracted through BIDCHEMZ.COM ("Platform"), operated by Blue Litmus Bizconnect ("BLB", "BidChemz", "we", "us").

Transporting industrial and specialty chemicals entails strict statutory compliance under Indian transport and environmental laws. Both buyers and sellers agree to adhere to all transport safety regulations, driver emergency protocols, and statutory documentation requirements set forth herein.

2. COMMERCIAL DELIVERY TERMS (INCOTERMS)

All listings and negotiated orders on BidChemz must clearly stipulate the agreed delivery basis:

• Ex-Works (EXW / Seller Godown): The seller makes the goods available at their warehouse, factory, or terminal. The buyer arranges carrier pickup, bears all freight and transit insurance costs, and assumes risk of loss once loading is completed.
• Free on Road (FOR / Destination): The seller arranges transport, covers freight to the buyer's nominated unloading site/destination, and remains responsible for the consignment until arrival at the destination facility.
• FOB / CIF (Port Terminals): For port-bound consignments or specialized transfers, risk and insurance allocation shall strictly follow standard international Incoterms as contracted between buyer and seller.

3. HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS (HAZMAT) & STATUTORY TRANSPORT REGULATIONS

For all hazardous, toxic, corrosive, flammable, or dangerous chemicals:

• Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR): All transport vehicles must strictly comply with Rules 129 through 137 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 regarding the carriage of dangerous or hazardous goods.
• TREMCARD (Transport Emergency Card): Every driver and carrier must be provided with an updated TREMCARD and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in English and local languages detailing emergency action codes, hazard classes, personal protective equipment (PPE), and spill response measures.
• Vehicle Placarding & Emergency Information Panels (EIP): Vehicles must display Class-appropriate Hazchem labels, UN numbers, emergency telephone numbers, and technical names clearly visible on all sides.
• PESO Certification: Compressed gases, cryogenic liquids, and petroleum products may only be transported in tankers and pressure vessels approved and stamped by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO).

4. CONSIGNMENT NOTE & E-WAY BILL COMPLIANCE

No chemical consignment may be dispatched without full statutory transit documentation:

• GST E-Way Bill: A valid E-Way Bill generated on the GST portal must accompany every consignment exceeding prescribed statutory value thresholds. The generating party (buyer or seller per Incoterms) is responsible for ensuring accuracy of HSN codes, vehicle numbers, and distance validity.
• Lorry Receipt (LR) / Consignment Note: The carrier must issue an official LR recording gross weight, tare weight, package counts, batch numbers, and consignee details. A copy of the LR must be uploaded to the BidChemz order portal upon dispatch.
• Certificate of Analysis (CoA): A batch-specific manufacturer CoA must travel with the consignment and be handed over to the receiving plant chemist/manager upon arrival.

5. RECEIVING INSPECTION & WEIGHBRIDGE VERIFICATION

Upon arrival of a chemical consignment at the destination:

• Weighbridge Slips: For bulk tanker and loose consignments, gross and tare weighbridge weighments must be conducted at verified commercial weighbridges immediately prior to and after unloading. Allowable transit moisture/evaporation tolerances (if any) shall be as agreed in the product specification sheet.
• Container Integrity Check: The receiving party must inspect drum seals, valve locks, tamper-evident caps, and tanker dome seals prior to opening. Any broken seal or external leak must be documented on the LR before signing acceptance.
• Representative Sampling: If samples are drawn for QC analysis, they must be collected using standard ASTM/BIS composite sampling procedures in the presence of the driver or authorized representative.

6. DEMURRAGE, DETENTION & UNLOADING SAFETY

To prevent vehicle detention and hazardous site hazards:

• Free Unloading Period: The buyer facility must commence unloading within the standard free time (typically 24 hours from arrival for bulk road tankers).
• Demurrage Charges: Delays beyond the agreed free time caused solely by the receiving facility shall attract demurrage at prevailing carrier rates, payable by the consignee.
• Site Safety Compliance: Unloading facilities must provide appropriate grounding/earthing, vapor recovery, PPE, and eye-wash stations in conformity with the Factories Act and State Pollution Control Board guidelines.

7. TRANSIT INSURANCE & DAMAGE CLAIMS

All consignments must be protected by an adequate Marine/Transit Cargo Insurance policy (Institute Cargo Clauses A or All Risks):

• Filing Claims: In the event of vehicle accident, overturning, theft, or catastrophic spill in transit, notice must be given to the insurer, BidChemz, and the counterparty within 24 hours of the incident.
• Joint Surveyor Inspection: Insurance surveyors must be allowed unhindered site access to inspect damage and assess salvage value.

8. CONTACT FOR LOGISTICS ASSISTANCE

For questions regarding freight coordination, verified chemical transport partners, or transit documentation assistance, contact our Logistics Support Team at contact@bidchemz.com.