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US Embassy Terms & Conditions
By using the Secure Mail Services’ (SMS)
service, the Customer agrees to the SMS terms and conditions of business,
as set out below:
1 SMS is only responsible
for the safe delivery of sealed packages carried by SMS from and to the
US Embassy. The contents of packages are the responsibility of either
the Customer or the US Embassy. SMS is not responsible to any party for
any delay, loss or damage caused by the Customer or the US Embassy.
2 All delivery, redelivery
or redirection charges of SMS are payable directly by the Customer (and
not by the US Embassy). SMS charges are as specified when the Customer
places his or her order. In the event of the Customer failing to pay SMS
charges prior to leaving the US Embassy SMS will use all reasonable endeavours
to contact them to arrange for delivery of the sealed package from the
US Embassy. An additional administration fee will be payable if this additional
work is required.
3 SMS will use all reasonable
endeavours to contact the Customer, by text message sent to the mobile
number given when placing the order, when SMS has possession of the package
to be delivered, and will indicate the likely delivery day.
4 SMS standard delivery
days are Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, excluding UK Bank Holidays. SMS
will aim to deliver the next working day and, where a timed delivery service
has been purchased, during the time slot you have selected when booking
your SMS service. In certain areas we are able to offer deliveries on
Saturdays; you will be advised if a Saturday delivery is available to
you.
5 If the Customer has paid
an additional charge (as stated on the invoice) for delivery on a specified
day, or within thirty minutes of a specified timeslot, and this delivery
date or time is not achieved, SMS will refund the additional charge paid.
SMS shall not be responsible for any other compensation payment or reimbursement
of other costs or losses that the Customer may incur by reason of such
delay, except for those delays falling within paragraph 8 below.
6 Delivery of sealed packages
to the Customer will be made to the address provided and confirmed by
the Customer or the US Embassy to SMS when making the booking. SMS is
not responsible for any delay or loss of documents caused where an incorrect
delivery address has been specified by the Customer.
7 The Customer or his or
her representative must provide evidence of identification of the Customer
and sign the required proof of delivery to acknowledge receipt of the
package.
8 If it is not possible
to deliver to the specified delivery address (for example because there
is no answer or there is no required signatory, as referred to in paragraphs
6 and 7), SMS will, where possible, leave a calling card with details
for the Customer to contact SMS in order to rearrange delivery.
If this redelivery is not successful, or if the Customer does not contact
SMS to rearrange delivery, then after one week from the original attempted
delivery, SMS will return the package to the US Embassy. In these circumstances,
the Customer will be required to pay SMS the standard published charge
together with an administration fee to arrange for another delivery to
the Customer to be attempted.
9 Delays
- If SMS has not delivered the package to the Customer on the likely delivery
date notified to the Customer under paragraph 3, and this is due to the
fault of SMS, its staff or contractors, SMS shall pay to the Customer
compensation as a result of this delay, of the following amounts:
Documents affected
Package with one or more passports (no Visas)
Maximum cost SMS is responsible for: £20
Package with one or more passports with one or more Visas
(and/or other documents)
Maximum cost SMS is responsible for: £30
In the event that there is a delay in delivery within thirty minutes
of a specified timeslot the Customer shall only be entitled to a refund
as set out in Paragraph 5 above and shall only be entitled to the compensation
stated above if the package is not delivered at all on the notified likely
delivery date. SMS shall not be responsible for any other costs or losses
that the Customer may incur by reason of such delay.
10 Loss or Destruction of Documents -
SMS can only be responsible for loss of or damage to documents which happen
during the period the documents are in the custody of SMS. If the documents
of a Customer are lost or destroyed in these circumstances, SMS will be
responsible for the cost of replacing such documents and reasonable travel
expenses incurred in order to obtain such replacement documents, up to
the following amounts:
Lost or Destroyed Document
Package with one Passport (with or without
Visas or Stamps), one birth certificate or one marriage certificate
Maximum amount SMS is responsible for: Cost of replacement
up to £750
Package with more than one passport (with
or without Visas or Stamps), more than one birth certificate or more than
one marriage certificate or any combination of more than one of these
documents
Maximum amount SMS is responsible for: Cost
of replacement up to £1500
The maximum amount that SMS will be responsible for in total for all documents
in the package is £1500.
11 Where SMS is responsible
under paragraph 10, in addition to the costs payable by it, SMS will refund
the charges paid by the Customer for the collection or delivery of the
package.
12 Except as set out in
Paragraphs 9 and 10, SMS will not be liable for any inconvenience, loss
of opportunity, loss of profit, expense or other loss of any kind. In
particular, SMS cannot accept liability for any costs or losses that are
incurred because the Customer is unable to travel as intended. SMS strongly
advises that final travel plans and the purchase of non-refundable tickets
should not be made until any required travel documents have been delivered.
13 All claims must be notified
by the Customer to SMS in writing, promptly, and in all cases within 48
hours of the Customer becoming aware or ought reasonably to have become
aware of the relevant delay, loss or damage. All costs and expenses claimed
by the Customer must be verified to SMS’ reasonable satisfaction;
receipts will be required.
14 The Customer agrees
to these terms for himself or herself and on behalf of all other persons
whose documents are contained within the package.
1 August 2007
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