Terms of Service

Welcome to Shiptern, Inc. ("Shiptern," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Shiptern governing your access to and use of our website, mobile applications, and services (collectively, the "Services"). Please read these Terms carefully before using our Services.

1. Acceptance of Terms

1.1 Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using our Services, creating an account, or clicking "I agree" or similar acceptance mechanism, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference.

1.2 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract to use our Services. If you are using our Services on behalf of an organization, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

1.3 Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated Terms on our website and updating the "Last updated" date. For significant changes, we will also notify you via email or through the Services. Your continued use of the Services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. Definitions

In these Terms, the following definitions apply:

• "Carrier" means any third-party transportation provider engaged by Shiptern to fulfill shipping or auto transport services.
• "Content" means any text, images, data, or other materials you submit through our Services.
• "Customer" or "you" means any individual or entity that accesses or uses our Services.
• "Order" means a booking or request for Services submitted through our platform.
• "Services" means all products, services, and features offered by Shiptern, including box shipping, auto transport, housing assistance, and related offerings.
• "Shipment" means any boxes, packages, or personal property transported through our box shipping service.
• "Vehicle" means any automobile transported through our auto transport service.

3. Services Description

3.1 Overview

Shiptern provides logistics and relocation services designed for individuals relocating for internships, employment, or educational purposes. Our Services include:

• Box Shipping: Door-to-door shipping of personal belongings
• Auto Transport: Vehicle transportation services across the continental United States
• Housing Assistance: Access to housing listings, roommate matching, and lease review services
• Packing Supplies: Sale of boxes, packing materials, and moving supplies

3.2 Intermediary Role

For shipping and auto transport services, Shiptern acts as an intermediary connecting you with third-party Carriers. While we carefully vet our Carrier partners and maintain quality standards, the actual transportation services are performed by independent Carriers who are responsible for the physical handling and transport of your items.

3.3 Service Availability

Our Services are currently available in the continental United States. Service availability, pricing, and features may vary by location and are subject to change without notice.

4. Account Registration

4.1 Account Creation

To access certain features of our Services, you must create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Keep your login credentials secure and confidential
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account
• Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account

4.2 Account Security

You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. Shiptern will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your account information.

4.3 One Account Per Person

You may only maintain one account. We reserve the right to terminate duplicate accounts and any accounts created to circumvent our policies.

5. Booking and Payment

5.1 Placing Orders

When you place an Order through our Services, you are making an offer to purchase the selected services. Your Order is accepted when we send you a confirmation email or when the Carrier picks up your shipment or vehicle, whichever occurs first.

5.2 Pricing

All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars and are subject to change. The final price may vary based on actual shipment details, including but not limited to:

• Actual weight and dimensions of boxes
• Pickup and delivery locations (including accessibility)
• Service type selected (standard, express, enclosed transport)
• Fuel surcharges and seasonal demand
• Additional services requested

5.3 Payment Terms

Payment is due at the time of booking unless otherwise specified. We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and ACH bank transfers. For enterprise customers, invoicing options may be available. By providing payment information, you represent that you are authorized to use the payment method and authorize us to charge the full amount.

5.4 Cancellation and Refunds

• More than 48 hours before pickup: Full refund
• Within 48 hours of pickup: Refund minus $25 cancellation fee
• After pickup: No refund; service will be completed
• Auto transport deposits: Non-refundable once Carrier is dispatched

5.5 Promotional Codes

Promotional codes are subject to specific terms and conditions, may not be combined with other offers, and have no cash value. We reserve the right to modify or discontinue any promotion at any time.

6. Box Shipping Terms

6.1 Prohibited Items

You may NOT ship the following items:

• Hazardous materials (flammables, explosives, corrosives, radioactive materials)
• Illegal substances or items prohibited by law
• Perishable goods or food items
• Live animals or plants
• Firearms, ammunition, or weapons
• Currency, negotiable instruments, or precious metals
• Items exceeding 50 pounds per box
• Liquids (unless properly sealed in waterproof containers)
• Items with sentimental value that cannot be replaced (we recommend keeping these with you)

Shipping prohibited items may result in seizure, additional fees, or legal consequences. You are solely responsible for any violations.

6.2 Packing Requirements

You are responsible for properly packing your items. Shiptern is not liable for damage caused by inadequate packing. We recommend:

• Using sturdy, corrugated boxes in good condition
• Wrapping fragile items individually with cushioning material
• Filling empty spaces to prevent shifting
• Sealing boxes securely with packing tape
• Labeling boxes clearly with your name and destination address

6.3 Insurance Coverage

All shipments include basic insurance coverage of up to $1,000 per box(aggregate limit of $5,000 per shipment) for loss or damage caused by the Carrier during transit. This coverage does not apply to:

• Damage caused by improper packing
• Normal wear and tear
• Prohibited items
• Items with pre-existing damage
• Indirect, consequential, or special damages

Additional coverage may be purchased at the time of booking. Claims must be filed within 7 calendar days of delivery.

6.4 Delivery Times

Estimated delivery times are provided for planning purposes only and are not guaranteed. Actual delivery times may vary due to weather conditions, Carrier capacity, customs (if applicable), or other factors beyond our control. We are not liable for delays.

6.5 Inspection and Claims

You must inspect your shipment upon delivery and note any visible damage on the delivery receipt. To file a claim:

• Report damage within 7 calendar days of delivery
• Provide photographs of damaged items and packaging
• Submit original receipts or proof of value for claimed items
• Keep all packaging materials until the claim is resolved

7. Auto Transport Terms

7.1 Vehicle Condition

Vehicles must be in operable condition (able to start, steer, and brake) unless you disclose inoperability at booking. Inoperable vehicles require special equipment and incur additional fees of $150-$300.

7.2 Vehicle Inspection

The Carrier will conduct a vehicle condition report at pickup and delivery. You (or your representative) must be present to sign the inspection report. Any pre-existing damage will be documented. We strongly recommend taking photographs of your vehicle from all angles before pickup.

7.3 Personal Items in Vehicles

You may leave personal items in the trunk (up to 100 lbs) at your own risk. The Carrier's insurance does NOT cover personal items left in vehicles. Valuable items should be removed. Items that obstruct rear visibility must be removed.

7.4 Open vs. Enclosed Transport

• Open Transport: Standard, cost-effective option. Vehicle is exposed to weather and road conditions during transit.
• Enclosed Transport: Premium option with protection from weather and road debris. Recommended for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles.

7.5 Auto Transport Insurance

All vehicles are covered by the Carrier's insurance during transport. Coverage typically ranges from $100,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the Carrier. You will receive proof of insurance before pickup. This coverage does not include:

• Personal items left in the vehicle
• Pre-existing damage documented at pickup
• Mechanical failures or breakdowns
• Damage caused by improper preparation of the vehicle

7.6 Transit Times

Auto transport transit times are estimates based on distance and route. Typical transit times:

• Regional (<1,000 miles): 3-5 business days
• Cross-country (>2,000 miles): 7-10 business days

Transit times are NOT guaranteed and may be affected by weather, road conditions, Carrier scheduling, and other factors.

7.7 Payment for Auto Transport

A deposit is required at booking (typically 10-25% of the total). The remaining balance is due upon delivery. Payment to the Carrier at delivery may be required in cash, cashier's check, or money order unless other arrangements are made in advance.

8. Housing Services Terms

8.1 Nature of Housing Services

Shiptern provides access to housing listings, roommate matching features, and lease review services. We are NOT a real estate broker, landlord, or property manager. We do not guarantee the accuracy, availability, or suitability of any listing.

8.2 Third-Party Listings

Housing listings are provided by third parties. You are responsible for independently verifying all information, conducting your own due diligence, and making your own decisions regarding any housing arrangement. Shiptern is not a party to any lease or rental agreement you enter into.

8.3 Roommate Matching

Our roommate matching feature connects users based on self-reported preferences. We do not conduct background checks on users. You are responsible for your own safety and should meet potential roommates in public places and verify their identity before entering into any arrangement.

8.4 Lease Review

Our lease review service provides general information only and does NOT constitute legal advice. We recommend consulting with a licensed attorney for specific legal questions regarding any lease agreement.

8.5 No Guarantee

We do not guarantee that you will find housing, that any listing is accurate, or that any roommate match will be suitable. Use these services at your own discretion and risk.

9. Limitation of Liability

9.1 Disclaimer of Warranties

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR SECURE.

9.2 Limitation of Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL SHIPTERN, ITS AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR:

• ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES
• LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES
• DAMAGES RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF (OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE) THE SERVICES
• DAMAGES CAUSED BY THIRD PARTIES, INCLUDING CARRIERS

9.3 Cap on Liability

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICES SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF: (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO SHIPTERN IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100).

9.4 Carrier Liability

For claims related to loss or damage during transit, your recovery is limited to the insurance coverage described in Sections 6.3 and 7.5. We will assist you in filing claims with Carriers but cannot guarantee claim outcomes.

9.5 Basis of the Bargain

The limitations in this Section reflect the allocation of risk between you and Shiptern and form an essential basis of the bargain between us. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so some of the above may not apply to you.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Shiptern and its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, and successors from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Services
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any law or the rights of any third party
• Any Content you submit or transmit through the Services
• Your shipment of prohibited items
• Any misrepresentation by you regarding the contents, weight, or value of shipments

11. User Conduct

11.1 Prohibited Activities

You agree NOT to:

• Use the Services for any illegal purpose or in violation of any laws
• Provide false, misleading, or inaccurate information
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Interfere with or disrupt the Services or servers
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any accounts, systems, or networks
• Use automated tools (bots, scrapers, etc.) to access the Services without our permission
• Circumvent any access controls or usage limits
• Upload viruses or malicious code
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users or Shiptern personnel
• Use the Services to send spam or unsolicited communications
• Ship prohibited items or misrepresent shipment contents

11.2 Consequences

Violation of these conduct rules may result in immediate termination of your account, forfeiture of any amounts paid, and potential legal action.

12. Intellectual Property

12.1 Shiptern's Intellectual Property

The Services and all content, features, and functionality (including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, audio clips, software, and the compilation thereof) are owned by Shiptern or its licensors and are protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, patent, and other intellectual property laws.

12.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Services for your personal, non-commercial purposes in accordance with these Terms. This license does not include the right to:

• Modify or copy the Services or any content
• Use any data mining, robots, or similar data gathering tools
• Download any content unless explicitly permitted
• Use the Services for any commercial purpose without our written consent

12.3 Trademarks

"Shiptern," our logo, and other marks are trademarks of Shiptern, Inc. You may not use these marks without our prior written permission.

12.4 Your Content

You retain ownership of Content you submit to the Services. By submitting Content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and display such Content in connection with providing and improving the Services.

13. Privacy and Data

13.1 Privacy Policy

Your use of the Services is subject to our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using the Services, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

13.2 Data Retention

As described in our Privacy Policy, we retain certain transactional data for legal, regulatory, and operational purposes even after account closure. This includes shipping records, payment information, and communications related to completed transactions.

13.3 Communications

By creating an account, you consent to receive electronic communications from us, including transactional emails, service updates, and promotional messages. You may opt out of promotional communications at any time, but you cannot opt out of transactional communications related to your use of the Services.

14. Dispute Resolution

14.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal dispute resolution proceeding, you agree to first contact us at legal@shiptern.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least 30 days. Most disputes can be resolved this way.

14.2 Binding Arbitration

If we cannot resolve the dispute informally, you and Shiptern agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services (except as set forth below) shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in accordance with its Consumer Arbitration Rules.

• Location: Arbitration will take place in San Francisco, California, or at another mutually agreed location. You may also elect to participate by phone or video.
• Arbitrator Authority: The arbitrator will have exclusive authority to resolve all disputes and may award any relief that a court could award.
• Costs: For claims under $10,000, Shiptern will pay all arbitration fees. For claims over $10,000, fees will be allocated according to AAA rules.

14.3 Class Action Waiver

YOU AND SHIPTERN AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding.

14.4 Exceptions to Arbitration

This arbitration agreement does not apply to:

• Claims that may be brought in small claims court
• Actions to enforce intellectual property rights
• Requests for injunctive relief to prevent imminent harm

14.5 Opt-Out Right

You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to legal@shiptern.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. Your notice must include your name, address, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out.

14.6 Survival

This arbitration agreement will survive termination of your account and these Terms.

15. Termination

15.1 Termination by You

You may close your account at any time by contacting us at help@shiptern.com or through your account settings. Termination does not relieve you of any obligations under these Terms for transactions initiated before termination.

15.2 Termination by Shiptern

We may suspend or terminate your account and access to the Services at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Reasons for termination may include:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
• Non-payment of fees
• Extended period of inactivity
• At our sole discretion for any reason

15.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to use the Services will immediately cease. We may delete your account data, except as required by law or as described in our Privacy Policy. Sections that by their nature should survive termination will survive, including but not limited to Sections 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 18.

16. Force Majeure

Shiptern shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Acts of God, natural disasters, or severe weather
• War, terrorism, or civil unrest
• Government actions, embargoes, or sanctions
• Epidemics, pandemics, or public health emergencies
• Labor disputes or strikes
• Utility failures or internet outages
• Carrier delays or failures

In such events, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you and resume performance as soon as practicable.

17. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of these Terms. For material changes, we will provide additional notice, such as:

• Email notification to your registered email address
• A prominent notice on our website or within the Services
• Requiring you to accept the updated Terms before continuing to use the Services

Your continued use of the Services after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using the Services and close your account.

18. General Provisions

18.1 Governing Law

These Terms and any disputes arising hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law principles, except to the extent preempted by federal law.

18.2 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other agreements expressly incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and Shiptern regarding the Services and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

18.3 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

18.4 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by Shiptern.

18.5 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. Shiptern may assign these Terms without restriction.

18.6 Headings

The section headings in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.

18.7 Language

These Terms are written in English. Any translated versions are provided for convenience only. In case of conflict, the English version shall prevail.

19. Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

• General Inquiries: hello@shiptern.com
• Support: help@shiptern.com
• Legal/Terms: legal@shiptern.com
• Phone: 1-800-SHIPTERN (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm ET)
• Mail:
  Shiptern, Inc.
  Attn: Legal Department
  123 Startup Lane
  San Francisco, CA 94107