Terms and Conditions

JOLLY VEHICLE OPERATIONS LTD
Terms and Conditions of Business
Last updated: March 2026

1. DEFINITIONS AND STATUS
1.1 “The Company” means Jolly Vehicle Operations Ltd (trading as Jolly Couriers).
1.2 “The Customer” means the person, firm, or company booking the services.
1.3 “The Carrier” means the independent subcontractor, courier network member, or third-party haulier engaged by The Company to perform the physical transport.
1.4 Brokerage Status: The Customer acknowledges that The Company acts solely as a shipping broker and intermediary. The Company arranges the carriage of goods by engaging third-party Carriers. The Company does not physically transport the goods itself and constitutes a separate legal entity from the Carrier.
2. BOOKINGS AND SERVICE
2.1 Online Bookings: Bookings made via The Company’s online platform at booking.jollycouriers.co.uk are subject to these Terms and Conditions in full. Any prices displayed during the online booking process are estimates based on the information provided. The Company reserves the right to adjust the quoted price where the actual collection or delivery address, vehicle requirement, or job specification differs materially from that entered at the time of booking.
2.2 Transit: Transit commences when the Carrier takes possession of the Consignment and ends when tendered at the delivery address.
2.3 Timeframes: Collection and delivery times provided are estimates only. While The Company will use reasonable endeavours to meet deadlines, time is not of the essence unless explicitly agreed in writing.
2.4 Loading/Unloading: The Carrier is not obliged to provide equipment (e.g., forklifts) or labour beyond the driver’s reasonable assistance. It is the Customer’s responsibility to ensure safe loading and unloading facilities exist.
2.5 Goods Declaration: The Customer is responsible for accurately describing the goods being transported, including their nature, dimensions, and value, at the time of booking. The Company’s liability is strictly limited as set out in Section 6. Customers requiring cover in excess of £250.00 must notify The Company in writing prior to booking.
3. PAYMENT TERMS
3.1 Card Payments (Non-Account Customers):
(a) Upon booking, The Company will place a pre-authorisation hold on the Customer’s payment card for the full quoted amount. This is a reservation of funds, not a charge.
(b) The funds will be fully captured once a Carrier has been confirmed by The Company for the Booking.
(c) If The Company is unable to assign a Carrier, the pre-authorisation hold will be released and no charge will be made.
3.2 Credit Accounts (B2B):
(a) Account Balance: For approved Account Customers, the cost of each Booking will be added to the Customer’s account balance upon completion of the job.
(b) Consolidated Invoicing: The account balance will be cleared via a consolidated invoice generated at the agreed interval (e.g., weekly or monthly).
(c) Payment Terms: Payment of the consolidated invoice must be made in full within 30 days (or such other term as agreed in writing) from the invoice date.
(d) Credit Limit: Where a credit limit has been agreed, The Company reserves the right to suspend bookings if the Customer’s outstanding balance exceeds that limit. The Company will endeavour to notify the Customer promptly in such circumstances.
(e) Interest: The Company reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts at 8% above the Bank of England Base Rate.
3.3 Surcharge Authorisation: By making a Booking, the Customer authorises The Company to charge any payment card on file, or add to the account balance, any surcharges arising from waiting time, re-routing, or other variations to the original Booking as set out in these Terms.
4. CANCELLATION POLICY
4.1 Free Cancellation (Pre-Confirmation): The Customer may cancel the Booking at any time before The Company has confirmed a Carrier assignment. In this event, no charge will be applied and the pre-authorisation hold will be released in full.
4.2 Post-Confirmation Cancellation (100% Charge): Once a Carrier has been confirmed by The Company (the “Confirmation Point”), the Booking is contractually binding. If the Customer cancels at any time after the Confirmation Point:
(a) Card Customers: The Company will capture 100% of the quoted job price.
(b) Account Customers: The full price of the Booking will be added to the account balance.
(c) This charge applies regardless of whether the Carrier has arrived at the collection point or is still in transit to it.
4.3 Acknowledgement: The Customer acknowledges that The Company incurs immediate costs with third-party Carriers upon Confirmation, and therefore the full fee is non-refundable once the Carrier is confirmed.
5. WAITING TIME AND SURCHARGES
5.1 The first 15 minutes of loading/unloading time are included in the price.
5.2 Delays exceeding this period will be charged at £30.00 per hour (pro-rated in 15-minute increments) plus VAT.
5.3 The Customer authorises The Company to automatically charge any credit/debit card on file for surcharges related to waiting time or re-routing, in accordance with Section 3.3.
6. LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
6.1 Limited Liability: The Company’s total liability for loss or damage to a Consignment is strictly limited to £250.00 per Consignment, regardless of the actual value of the goods.
6.2 High Value Goods: If the Customer requires cover exceeding £250.00, they must notify The Company in writing prior to booking. The Company will endeavour to arrange appropriate cover, which may be subject to additional charges.
6.3 Exclusion of Consequential Loss: Under no circumstances shall The Company be liable for indirect or consequential loss, including but not limited to loss of profit, income, business, production downtime, loss of goodwill, spoilage of goods, missed appointments, or losses arising from time-sensitive deliveries where no explicit written guarantee of delivery time has been provided.
6.4 Force Majeure: The Company shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance arising from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to traffic conditions, road closures, severe weather, mechanical breakdown, acts of God, or industrial action. In such circumstances, The Company will use reasonable endeavours to notify the Customer and arrange an alternative solution where possible.
7. PROHIBITED GOODS
7.1 The Company does not accept: cash, bullion, precious stones, livestock, human remains, or illegal goods. The Company reserves the right to refuse any consignment and cancel the Booking without refund if the goods tendered differ materially from those described at the time of booking.
7.2 The Company does not accept Dangerous Goods (ADR) unless explicitly agreed in writing prior to booking.
8. DISPUTES AND CHARGEBACKS
8.1 In the event of a dispute regarding a charge, the Customer agrees to contact The Company in the first instance at billing@jollycouriers.co.uk and allow The Company a reasonable opportunity (no less than 5 working days) to investigate and respond before initiating any chargeback or payment dispute with their card provider or bank.
8.2 The Company reserves the right to recover any costs, fees, or losses incurred as a result of a chargeback raised in breach of clause 8.1.
9. NON-SOLICITATION
9.1 The Customer agrees that during the term of this agreement and for a period of 6 months after the last job, they will not directly engage, employ, or contract with any Carrier introduced to them by The Company.
9.2 Breach of this clause will incur a recruitment fee of £1,500.00 or 30% of the Carrier’s estimated annual earnings, whichever is higher.
10. JURISDICTION
10.1 These terms are governed by English law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.