Stateside Auto Ship LLC

Auto Transport Shipping Order Terms and Conditions

1. Introduction

This document contains and specifies the definitive Auto Transport Order Terms and Conditions of Use and Service (the "Agreement") governing the relationship between Stateside Auto Ship LLC and the Customer. Stateside Auto Ship LLC is fully licensed and bonded by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as an auto transport broker. Stateside Auto Ship LLC acts exclusively as an auto transportation broker (the "Agent") to arrange vehicle logistics between the Customer (including the Customer’s authorized representatives) and licensed motor carriers.

2. Definitions

• Company: Refers to Stateside Auto Ship LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company, including all its employees, directors, managers, agents, officers, and corporate staff.
• Carrier: Refers to contracted, independent third-party motor carriers, trucking companies, and owner-operators who accept the physical transportation of the Customer's vehicle, maintain active registration with the U.S. DOT, and carry all legally required cargo and liability insurance policies.
• Additional Services: Upgrades and ancillary solutions explicitly requested by the Customer, including but not limited to vehicle top-loading, guaranteed pickup windows, enclosed transport configurations, or transport of additional personal belongings.
• C.O.D.: Collect on Delivery or Payment on Delivery, representing the cash balance paid directly to the Carrier upon vehicle drop-off.
• Customer’s Agent: An individual over the age of 18 explicitly or implicitly designated by the Customer to execute documentation and act on the Customer’s behalf during pickup or delivery operations.
• Point of Origin: The physical vehicle pickup location specified by the Customer or modified by mutual consent between the Company and the Customer prior to scheduling transport.
• Shipment: The Customer’s personal property - specifically an automobile or motorized vehicle - arranged for transport under the terms of this Agreement.
• Open Transport: Transportation utilizing an open-air trailer. Open trailers expose vehicles to environmental elements and road debris, and represent a more cost-effective tier compared to Enclosed Transport.
• First Available Date (FAD): The earliest calendar date provided by the Customer on which the vehicle is ready and available for physical pickup by a Carrier.
• Pickup Window: The designated period of consecutive business days following the First Available Date during which a Carrier is scheduled to logistically secure the vehicle.
• Business Days: Calendar days spanning Monday through Friday, strictly excluding weekends and official United States national holidays.
• Order: A formal commitment and authorization made by the Customer requesting the Company to coordinate the logistical routing and shipment of the Customer’s vehicle subject to this Agreement.
• Bill of Lading (BOL): The legal shipping manifest signed and dated by both the Customer (or Agent) and the Carrier at the points of pickup and delivery. Two (2) copies are executed at pickup for structural condition tracking, and two (2) copies are executed at delivery to finalize the inspection report, detailing pre-existing damages, scratches, keys transferred, vehicle specifications, and drop-off verification.
• Personal Goods/Items: Any additional cargo, baggage, or belongings placed inside or structurally attached to the Customer’s vehicle, excluding standard factory-issued equipment required for regular operation (e.g., jack, jumper cables, spare tire).
• Customized or Oversized Vehicle: Any vehicle exceeding 16 feet in length, altered from factory configurations, lifted, lowered, redesigned, or equipped with aftermarket racks, campers, or modifications that alter its dimensions relative to a stock production model.
• Inoperable Vehicle: A vehicle that cannot be safely driven under its own power due to mechanical, structural, or electrical failure, thereby requiring specialized winching, loading, or offloading equipment.
• Customer: The individual, corporate entity, or representative utilizing the logistical brokerage services of the Company, including legally authorized agents and assignees.

3. Services

Shipment Categories: The Company provides two distinct operational tiers for coordinating vehicle logistics: the Economy Saver Rate (ESR) and the Guaranteed First Class Rate (FCR).

Economy Saver Rate (ESR)

The ESR represents a value-driven, discounted shipping model. The Company will expend commercially reasonable efforts to secure a Carrier willing to transport the vehicle at the estimated rate within approximately seven (7) business days following the FAD. The Customer acknowledges that because the ESR relies on carrier negotiations for discounted slots, the immediate acceptance probability ranges from 5% to 30% depending on seasonal trends and market demand. If market conditions do not attract carriers at the initial rate, the Company may incrementally suggest upward price adjustments, which the Customer retains the right to accept or decline. All listed timelines are non-absolute estimates subject to weather, operational carrier delays, and general logistical fluctuations. If the Company fails to secure a Carrier within the estimated window at the estimated price and the Customer declines a rate increase, the Company reserves the right to cancel the order without further corporate liability.

Guaranteed First Class Rate (FCR)

The FCR model guarantees the price quote provided, ensuring no mid-transit or post-booking rate increases. The FCR features a contractually guaranteed single-day or next-day pickup window agreed upon by the Company and the Customer, commencing after the vehicle’s FAD. The Company assumes the financial responsibility of compensating the Carrier for any discrepancy between the client's quoted price and market rates. If a delay occurs, the Company will incrementally increase carrier incentives at its own expense without altering the price bound to the Customer.

General Service Conditions

In the event an assigned Carrier fails to meet a pickup or delivery schedule due to force majeure or unforeseen operational incidents (including but not limited to severe weather, accidents, regulatory closures, mechanical breakdowns, or medical emergencies), the Company will utilize reasonable efforts to secure a substitute Carrier within the original pricing and structural guidelines.

Carrier Routing

The Customer understands and agrees that Carriers utilize autonomous, professional judgment to determine the optimal, safe, and legal commercial transit routes. Carriers do not guarantee specific geographical routing or adhere to rigid hour-specific schedules to meet uncontracted subjective expectations of the Customer.

Availability Adjustments

If a Customer is unable or unready to release the vehicle to an assigned Carrier that has arrived or scheduled a pickup on the dates confirmed as available by the Customer, all original scheduling and rate guarantees are rendered void. The Company will attempt to source a new Carrier; however, if the replacement Carrier demands a higher rate, the Customer shall be liable for the financial delta. If the Customer declines the new rate and seeks cancellation under this scenario, the Customer agrees to pay a mandatory one hundred and ninety-nine dollar ($199) cancellation fee for brokerage services rendered, alongside any structural breach-of-contract penalties demanded by the initial Carrier.

Brokerage Authority

The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to refuse or cancel any Order at any time prior to carrier assignment based on low carrier interest, safety concerns, or market operational failures. The Company’s core contractual service obligations are legally fulfilled and deemed completed the moment a licensed Motor Carrier formally accepts and is dispatched to the Customer’s Order. The Customer explicitly acknowledges that the Company operates strictly as a licensed transportation broker, not a motor carrier, and never takes physical custody, possession, or control of the Shipment, thereby assuming no direct liability for transit assets.

All provided pickup and delivery dates remain estimated windows. The Company cannot control highway conditions, mechanical equipment failures, or federal drive-time limits and is not liable for incidental, consequential, or financial losses caused by logistical delays of any kind.

Communication Authorization

The Customer hereby grants explicit authorization to the Company and the assigned Carrier to utilize all provided contact channels (including voice calls, SMS text messages, and emails) to perform logistical duties, coordinate delivery schedules, resolve financial delinquencies, and maintain customer service updates.

4. SMS Terms of Service

1. SMS Consent and Privacy

By opting in to receive SMS messages from Stateside Auto Ship LLC, you consent to receive text messages related to your vehicle transportation request and our services. SMS opt-in information and phone numbers collected for SMS communication purposes will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.

2. Types of SMS Communications

If you have consented to receive SMS messages from Stateside Auto Ship LLC, you may receive conversational and service-related messages regarding vehicle transportation quotes, responses to your inquiries, order details, pickup and delivery coordination, scheduling, carrier or driver coordination, shipment status updates, and customer service matters.

3. Message Frequency

Message frequency may vary depending on your transportation request, order status, and communication needs.

4. Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and service plan.

5. SMS Opt-In Method

Customers may opt in to receive SMS messages from Stateside Auto Ship LLC by submitting an online form and affirmatively selecting the SMS consent option provided on the form. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of purchasing our services.

6. SMS Opt-Out

You may opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any SMS message from Stateside Auto Ship LLC. After opting out, you will no longer receive SMS messages unless you subsequently provide consent to receive them again.

7. Help and Support

For assistance, reply HELP to any SMS message, call us at (215) 967-5252, email us at support@statesideautoship.com, or visit our website at https://statesideautoship.com/.

8. Privacy Policy and Terms

For information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information, please review our Privacy Policy at https://statesideautoship.com/privacy-policy/. These SMS Terms are part of our Terms and Conditions available at https://statesideautoship.com/terms-and-conditions/.

By opting in to SMS communications, you acknowledge that message frequency may vary, message and data rates may apply, you may reply STOP at any time to opt out, and you may reply HELP for assistance.

5. Customer’s Responsibility

Accuracy of Information

The Customer maintains sole legal responsibility for ensuring the absolute accuracy of the asset details provided, including the vehicle's year, make, model, trim, operational status, structural modifications, point of origin, destination, and specialty constraints. Discrepancies identified at the time of carrier pickup relative to the Order Confirmation may trigger immediate price increases, dry-run fees, or cancellation. The Customer hereby waives all claims against the Company for additional carrier fees resulting from erroneous asset descriptions.

Shipment Size and Condition

Modifications including aftermarket spoilers, ground clearance reductions, oversized wheels, roof racks, toolboxes, or lifted chassis must be disclosed to the Company prior to dispatch. If a vehicle is found to be oversized, modified, or mechanically inoperable without prior dispatch classification, the Carrier reserves the right to impose on-site surcharges or refuse service entirely.

Preparing Shipment

The Customer must fully prepare the vehicle for commercial open-road transport. All loose components, fragile glass treatments, low-hanging trim, and non-permanent exterior modifications (such as removable luggage, bike, or ski racks) must be detached prior to carrier loading. The vehicle must be delivered to the Carrier with no more than one-quarter (1/4) tank of fuel and must be in safe, rollable condition. The Customer assumes full liability for third-party property damage, carrier equipment damage, or personal injury resulting from loose vehicle components detaching during highway transit. All alarm systems must be completely disarmed; if an activated alarm sounds during transport and no key or override instructions are available, the Carrier is authorized to silence the alarm system through any reasonable mechanical means without corporate recourse.

Personal Property

Customers are permitted to leave one (1) standard suitcase or cargo bag containing personal items weighing no more than one hundred pounds (100 lbs.), which must be stored entirely within the vehicle's trunk or designated rear cargo partition. The Customer must declare the presence of this personal cargo to the Carrier at the point of origin. Carriers maintain the statutory right to inspect and reject personal property that violates safety rules or state regulations. The loading of negotiable instruments, legal documents, cash, currency, precious metals, fine jewelry, furs, antiques, or high-value luxury goods is strictly prohibited. Both the Company and the Carrier disclaim all liability for the loss, theft, or destruction of personal property stored inside the vehicle, as well as structural damage caused to the vehicle's interior by excessive or shifting personal cargo. Personal items are left inside the transport asset entirely at the Customer's own risk.

International and Port Shipments

For all international or overseas shipments (including maritime transfers to Hawaii or Alaska), the vehicle must be completely empty of all personal belongings, excluding factory-installed stock equipment. Non-compliant items will be forcibly removed at the port at the Customer’s expense. Vehicles must be fully operational and possess no more than one-half (1/2) tank of fuel. The Customer bears sole responsibility for sourcing port booking numbers, customs documentation, washing certifications, and weight tickets.

Prohibited Items

The loading of explosives, hazardous chemicals, firearms, ammunition, military weaponry, flammable liquids, live animals, live plants, contraband, narcotics, prescription drugs without legal titles, alcoholic beverages, or federally illegal materials is strictly prohibited. Discovery of prohibited cargo allows law enforcement or the Carrier to immediately seize and dispose of the items or the entire Shipment without financial recourse or compensation to the Customer. The Customer shall remain solely liable for all fines, legal fees, clean-up costs, and carrier downtime resulting from violations of this section.

6. Customer Warranties

The Customer warrants absolute compliance with all local, state, federal, and international customs, import, export, and Department of Transportation regulations applicable to the geographic territories through which the vehicle moves. The Customer agrees to supply all verifiable documentation necessary to satisfy statutory audits. The Company disclaims all liability for losses, vehicle seizures, or regulatory delays stemming from a Customer's non-compliance. Any agent executing this agreement on behalf of the vehicle owner warrants that they possess clear legal title or explicit power of attorney to bind the Customer to these terms.

7. Pickup and Delivery of Shipment

Logistical Access

The Customer acknowledges that large commercial multi-car transport trucks face legal and physical restrictions due to municipal zoning, low-hanging trees, utility wires, residential street widths, weight limits, and seasonal closures. If a Carrier cannot legally or safely navigate directly to the specified Point of Origin or Destination, the Customer agrees to meet the Carrier at a nearby accessible commercial parking area or highway shoulder to complete the vehicle transfer.

Inspection and Execution

The Customer or their designated Agent must be physically present at the points of pickup and delivery. At pickup, the Customer must conduct a meticulous joint walk-around inspection with the Carrier, documenting all pre-existing aesthetic and structural defects on the Bill of Lading, signing the manifest, and securing a physical or digital copy. The Customer is strongly urged to take dated, high-resolution photographs of the vehicle from all angles at the point of origin. At delivery, the Customer must re-inspect the vehicle in the presence of the driver. Any new damages sustained during transit must be noted on the Bill of Lading prior to signing. Signing the Bill of Lading without written damage notations - regardless of lighting, nightfall, or adverse weather conditions - serves as an absolute legal confirmation that the vehicle was received in flawless, satisfactory condition, releasing both the Company and the Carrier from all subsequent property liability.

Transit Delays and Claims

The Company utilizes its best commercial efforts to enforce carrier timelines. If a Carrier fails to deliver a vehicle within fifteen (15) calendar days past the estimated delivery window, the asset may be classified for insurance processing as a theft or total loss. If a damage claim arises, any outstanding financial balance due for the transport order must be paid in full to the Carrier before insurance adjusters will process the claim. Legitimate damages must be explicitly documented on the BOL before C.O.D. funds are rendered.

8. Carrier Responsibilities

The Carrier is obligated to perform vehicle transport in a professional, commercially reasonable manner, executing pickup and delivery as close to the requested locations as safety and state laws permit. The Carrier may issue its own structural transport contracts, tariffs, or independent Bills of Lading, which the Customer must review carefully, as they form a direct binding transport agreement between the Customer and the Carrier. The Customer explicitly understands that transit asset damage claims are covered directly by the Carrier’s primary cargo insurance policy, which ranges from a minimum of $100,000 up to $250,000 per shipment. Furthermore, Carriers are legally mandated to maintain a minimum of $750,000 in public trucking liability insurance. It is the sole, exclusive responsibility of the Carrier to keep these insurance protections active throughout the voyage. The Company does not maintain individual cargo policies for specific vehicle orders and assumes no direct liability for transport damages.

9. Fees and Payment

The Customer agrees to pay the designated broker service deposit fee once the shipment is scheduled, with the remaining contract balance paid directly to the Carrier’s driver at the delivery point in cash or certified funds (such as a cashier's check or official money order), as outlined in the Order Confirmation. The Customer shall not execute credit card chargebacks, payment stops, or financial offsets to counter pending, unfiled, or disputed damage claims. Payment to the Company is fully earned the moment a Carrier accepts the order, as the contracted brokerage coordination services have been completed at that point. Personal checks, standard debit cards, or standard credit cards are not accepted by Carriers for C.O.D. balances.

If a vehicle is forced into a commercial storage facility because the Customer refuses to render contractually agreed fees or fails to accept physical delivery, the asset will be stored at the Customer's sole expense and subject to the Carrier’s statutory mechanics lien. All storage accumulation fees, redelivery surcharges, and legal processing costs will remain the exclusive responsibility of the Customer.

Credit Card Authorization

The Company retains encrypted credit card details on file for transaction security. No charges are processed against the Customer's card until a successful carrier bid is locked or a formal dispatch contract is executed. The Customer warrants that they will not initiate credit card chargebacks or reverse electronic payments to offset damage disputes. If a Customer executes a unauthorized chargeback after brokerage services are finalized, the Company reserves the right to deploy all legal remedies to recover the funds, including referring the account to national collection bureaus, reporting to law enforcement, and seeking civil litigation. The Customer shall remain contractually liable for all collection fees, attorney bills, chargeback processing penalties, and court costs.

10. Cancellation and Refund Policy

The Customer may cancel an active Order at any time at zero financial cost, provided the Order has not yet been formally accepted and scheduled by a licensed Carrier. If cancellation is requested after a Carrier has accepted the contract and entered dispatched status - or if a Carrier is forced to execute a dry run because pickup is denied due to Customer breach or vehicle unreadiness - the Customer agrees to pay a non-refundable one hundred and ninety-nine dollar ($199) cancellation fee for completed brokerage services. Additional carrier surcharges or dry-run fees passed down by independent transport vendors will also be billed to the Customer.

If an assigned Carrier cancels a scheduled order prior to pickup, the Company reserves the legal right to attempt up to three (3) consecutive times to secure a qualified substitute Carrier. The Customer is eligible to request an absolute full refund of their deposit only after the third (3rd) consecutive carrier assignment fails to execute.

11. Indemnification

The Customer agrees to indemnify, defend, protect, and hold harmless Stateside Auto Ship LLC, its corporate affiliates, officers, directors, managers, employees, and authorized agents from and against any and all claims, civil suits, liabilities, losses, financial damages, regulatory fines, judgments, legal settlements, and litigation costs (including reasonable attorney fees) arising directly from the acts, omissions, regulatory violations, or contractual breaches committed by the Customer, their employees, agents, or physical representatives during asset transit preparation or execution.

12. Limitation of Liability

The total cumulative financial liability of Stateside Auto Ship LLC for any and all structural, contractual, statutory, or tort-based claims shall not under any operational circumstances exceed the exact dollar amount of the brokerage service fee paid by the Customer to the Company under the specific disputed Order Confirmation.

Except as explicitly outlined herein, the company disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding its logistical coordination services, including any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a specific operational purpose, title, non-infringement, or warranties arising from course of dealing, usage, or commercial trade practices.

Under no legal theory (including contract, tort, negligence, or strict liability) shall stateside auto ship llc be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages, including loss of business profits, loss of revenue, corporate downtime, litigation costs, or vehicle value depreciation, even if explicitly advised of the potential risk of such complications.

13. Arbitration

In the event the Company’s compliance team is unable to resolve an active Customer dispute, claim, or transaction controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, an Order Confirmation, or general corporate engagement (a "Dispute"), the Customer explicitly agrees to resolve all such conflict through binding, mandatory arbitration. The arbitration proceedings shall be administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in absolute compliance with the AAA’s Consumer Arbitration Rules and Supplementary Procedures for Consumer-Related Disputes. Both parties waive their right to pursue class-action lawsuits or jury trials in civil court.

14. Miscellaneous

Stateside Auto Ship LLC executes all services under the legal status of an Independent Contractor, and no elements of this text shall construct a partnership, joint venture, or employer-employee framework between the Company and the Customer. The Customer may not assign or transfer their rights under this Agreement without prior written authorization from the Company. These terms remain fully binding upon the successors, heirs, and legal assignees of both parties. If any independent clause or section of this Agreement is declared legally invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such ruling shall not compromise the structural validity or enforceability of the remaining sections, which shall remain in full force.

This Agreement represents the entire contractual understanding between the Customer and Stateside Auto Ship LLC, completely superseding all prior oral or written marketing promises, quotes, or representations. The Customer warrants that they have thoroughly read these Terms in their entirety and, by authorizing payment and booking an order, completely comprehend and legally accept all conditions contained herein. The Customer hereby waives any future legal defenses or civil claims based on not having read, analyzed, or understood this contract.