Freight Forwarding Agreement Template for Ireland

A Freight Forwarding Agreement sets out the terms between a business and a freight forwarder who handles their cargo shipments. In Ireland, these contracts spell out how the forwarder will manage customs clearance, transport arrangements, and documentation for moving goods internationally.

Under Irish law, the agreement must detail specific responsibilities like cargo insurance, liability limits, and compliance with EU shipping regulations. Good agreements protect both parties by clearly outlining payment terms, service levels, and what happens if shipments are delayed or damaged. Most Irish freight forwarders use these contracts to cover both import and export services.

Use a Freight Forwarding Agreement when your business needs to ship goods internationally through Ireland. This becomes essential once you're handling regular shipments, working with new logistics partners, or expanding into markets that require specialized handling or customs expertise.

The agreement is particularly important for Irish businesses dealing with post-Brexit trade complexities, EU customs requirements, or valuable cargo that needs special care. Having this agreement in place before your first shipment protects your interests, sets clear service expectations, and ensures compliance with Irish transport regulations and international shipping laws.

• Single-Service Agreements focus purely on basic freight forwarding, ideal for businesses with straightforward shipping needs
• Comprehensive Service Agreements cover additional services like warehousing, packaging, and customs documentation - common among Irish exporters
• Project-Specific Agreements handle specialized cargo or one-off shipments requiring unique handling or compliance measures
• Multi-Modal Agreements coordinate different transport methods across sea, air, and land within the EU framework
• Global Service Agreements suit large-scale operations needing consistent handling across multiple international routes

• Freight Forwarders: Logistics companies that arrange international shipping and handle customs clearance, often drafting the core agreement
• Exporting Businesses: Irish companies sending goods abroad who need reliable shipping arrangements and clear service terms
• Legal Teams: In-house or external counsel who review and customize Freight Forwarding Agreements to protect client interests
• Customs Brokers: Specialists who ensure the agreement aligns with Irish and EU customs requirements
• Insurance Providers: Firms that underwrite cargo coverage and review liability terms within these agreements

• Service Scope: List all required shipping routes, transport methods, and specific handling requirements
• Company Details: Gather full legal names, registration numbers, and addresses of all parties involved
• Compliance Info: Document relevant Irish and EU customs requirements for your specific cargo types
• Insurance Needs: Determine required coverage levels and liability limits for different shipment types
• Payment Terms: Define rates, additional charges, payment schedules, and currency preferences
• Service Levels: Specify expected delivery times, tracking requirements, and communication protocols

• Party Details: Full legal names, addresses, and registration numbers of freight forwarder and client
• Service Scope: Detailed description of freight forwarding services, routes, and handling requirements
• Liability Terms: Clear limits under Irish law and applicable international conventions
• Insurance Coverage: Specified requirements for cargo insurance and professional liability
• Payment Terms: Rates, additional charges, payment schedules, and currency specifications
• Force Majeure: Provisions for unexpected events affecting service delivery
• Governing Law: Explicit statement of Irish law jurisdiction and dispute resolution procedures

A Freight Forwarding Agreement is often confused with a Broker Agreement, but they serve distinct purposes in Irish logistics and trade. While both involve intermediary services, their scope and responsibilities differ significantly.

• Service Scope: Freight forwarders actively arrange transport, handle customs, and manage cargo movement. Brokers typically only connect parties and don't handle physical goods
• Legal Liability: Freight forwarders take direct responsibility for cargo handling and documentation. Brokers bear limited liability, mainly for accurate information transfer
• Operational Control: Freight forwarding agreements include specific terms about cargo handling, routes, and customs procedures. Broker agreements focus on commission structures and client introductions
• Insurance Requirements: Freight forwarders must maintain cargo insurance and carrier liability coverage. Brokers typically only need professional indemnity insurance