General Storage Agreement with a Warehouse Company for Storage of Goods
Storage Agreement made on the _____________________________________________
(date), between _________________________________________________________________
(Name of Warehouse Company) , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
state of ___________________________________________, with its principal office located at
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________ (street address, city, county, state, zip code) ,
referred to herein as Warehouseman, and ____________________________________________
(Name of Owner of Goods) of _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________ (street address, city, county, state, zip code) ,
referred to herein as (Depositor);
Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this
agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is
hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Rates for Storage and Handling
Depositor engages Warehouseman to perform, and Warehouseman agrees to perform,
storage and handling of the following merchandise, referred to in this Agreement as goods, at the
following rates, as required by Depositor in the course of its business during the term of this
Agreement:
Goods Type of Container Size Gross Wt. Storage Rate Handling In
Per Month & Out
Rate
___________ ________________ _____ _________ _____________ ____________
___________ ________________ _____ _________ _____________ ____________
___________ ________________ _____ _________ _____________ ____________
___________ ________________ _____ _________ _____________ ____________
___________ ________________ _____ _________ _____________ ____________
___________ ________________ _____ _________ _____________ ____________
___________ ________________ _____ _________ _____________ ____________
___________ ________________ _____ _________ _____________ ____________
2. Term of Agreement
This Agreement shall be operative for a period of _______ (number) months,
commencing _____________________________________________ (date) , and ending
_______________________________________________ (date) .
3. Storage of Goods
A. All charges for storage are per (e.g., package) ____________________________
per month.
B. Storage charges become applicable on the date that Warehouseman accepts care,
custody, and control of goods, regardless of the unloading date or the date of issue of any
warehouse receipt.
C. Except as provided in Paragraph D of this Section, a full month's storage charge
shall apply on all goods received between the first and the fifteenth, inclusive, of a
calendar month; one-half month's storage charge shall apply on all goods received
between the sixteenth and last day, inclusive, of a calendar month; and a full month's
storage charge shall apply to all goods in storage on the first day of the next and
succeeding calendar months. All such storage charges are due and payable on the first
day of storage for the initial month and subsequently on the first day of the calendar
month.
D. When mutually agreed on by Warehouseman and Depositor, a storage month
shall extend from a date in one calendar month to, but not including, the same date of the
next and all succeeding months. All storage charges are due and payable on the first day
of the storage month.
4. Handling of Goods
A. The handling rates set forth in Section 1 cover the ordinary labor involved in
receiving goods at the warehouse door, placing goods in storage, and returning goods to
the warehouse door. Handling charges are due and payable on receipt of goods.
B. Unless otherwise agreed, the following services shall be subject to an additional
charge:
1. Labor for unloading and loading goods.
2. Receipt and handling of damaged goods.
3. Unloading from or loading into cars or other vehicles not at the warehouse
door.
4. Labor and materials used in loading rail cars or other vehicles.
5. Handling of goods ordered out in quantities less than in which received.
C. Warehouseman shall not be liable for demurrage, delays in unloading inbound
cars, or delays in obtaining and loading cars for outbound shipment unless
Warehouseman has failed to exercise reasonable care.
5. Special Services
Special services, including but not limited to the following, shall be provided by
Warehouseman to Depositor subject to additional charge:
A. Warehouse labor required for services other than ordinary handling and storage.
B. Receipt or delivery of goods, by prior arrangement, in other than usual business
hours.
C. Provision of dunnage, bracing, packing materials, or other special supplies.
D. Communication services, including postage, teletype, telegram, or telephone, if
the services concern more than normal inventory reporting or if, at the request of
Depositor, communications are made by other than regular United States mail.
E. Compiling of special stock statements.
F. Reporting marked weights, serial numbers, or other data from packages.
G. Physical check of goods.
H. Handling transit billing.
6. Bonded Storage
Storage of merchandise in bond shall be subject to a charge in addition to regular rates.
7. Minimum Charges
Minimum charges shall be assessed as follows:
A. A minimum storage charge per month.
B. A minimum handling charge per lot.
C. A minimum monthly charge for each account in the event that Depositor has
several accounts, each requiring separate records and billing.
D. A minimum charge per mark, brand, or variety, when a warehouse receipt covers
more than one lot or when a lot is in assortment.
8. Tender for Storage
All goods for storage shall be delivered at Warehouseman's warehouse at
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________ (street address, city, county, state, zip code) ,
properly marked and packaged for handling. Depositor shall furnish at or prior to such delivery a
manifest showing marks, brands, or sizes to be kept and accounted for separately, and the class
of storage and other services desired.
9. Shipping of Goods
Depositor covenants and agrees not to ship goods to Warehouseman as the named
consignee. In the event that, in violation of this Agreement, goods are shipped to Warehouseman
as named consignee, Depositor shall notify the carrier of goods in writing prior to the shipment,
with a copy of the notice sent to Warehouseman, that Warehouseman is a warehouseman and has
no beneficial title or interest in goods. Further, Depositor shall indemnify Warehouseman against
any and all claims for unpaid transportation charges, including under charges, demurrage,
detention charges, or charges of any other nature, in connection with goods so shipped. In the
event that Depositor fails to notify the carrier in accordance with this provision, Warehouseman
shall have the right to refuse goods and shall not be liable or responsible for any loss, injury, or
damage to goods.
10. Refusal of Goods
Warehouseman may refuse to accept goods tendered for storage or other services that do
not conform to the description contained in this Agreement. If Warehouseman accepts such
goods, Depositor agrees to rates and charges as may be assessed and invoiced by Warehouseman
as well as to all terms of this Agreement.
11. Moving of Goods
A. Warehouseman reserves the right to move, at Warehouseman's expense, days
after notice sent by (i.e., certified)___________________________________ mail to
Depositor or to the last known holder of a negotiable warehouse receipt covering such
goods, any goods in storage from the warehouse in which they may be stored to any other
of Warehouseman's warehouses. If, however, Depositor or holder takes delivery of the
goods in lieu of transfer, no storage charge shall be made for the current storage month.
B. Warehouseman may, without notice, move goods within the warehouse in which
they are stored.
12. Termination of Storage
A. On written notice to Depositor and to any other person known by Warehouseman
to claim an interest in goods, Warehouseman may require the removal of any goods by
the end of the next succeeding storage month. Notice shall be given to the last known
place of business or residence of the person to be notified. If goods are not removed
before the end of the next succeeding storage month, Warehouseman may sell them in
accordance with applicable law.
B. In the event that Warehouseman, in good faith, believes that goods are about to
deteriorate or decline in value to less than the amount of Warehouseman's lien before the
end of the next succeeding storage month, Warehouseman may specify in the notification
any reasonable shorter time for removal of goods. If goods are not so removed,
Warehouseman may sell goods at public sale held _________ (number) days after
advertisement or posting as is required by law.
C. In the event that, as a result of a quality or condition of goods of which
Warehouseman had no notice at the time of deposit, goods are a hazard to other property,
to the warehouse in which goods are stored, or to any person, Warehouseman may sell
goods at public or private sale without advertisement on reasonable notification to all
persons known to claim an interest in goods . If Warehouseman, after a reasonable effort,
is unable to sell goods, Warehouseman may dispose of goods in any lawful manner and
shall incur no liability by reason of such disposition.
13. Transfer by Depositor
Instructions by Depositor to Warehouseman to transfer goods on the books of
Warehouseman are not effective until delivered to and accepted by Warehouseman, and all
charges up to the time transfer is made are chargeable to depositor. If a transfer involves
rehandling goods, such rehandling shall be subject to a charge.
14. Delivery of Goods
A. Goods shall be delivered or transferred only on receipt by Warehouseman of
complete instructions properly signed by Depositor. When no negotiable warehouse
receipt is outstanding, goods may also be delivered on instructions over the telephone in
accordance with a prior written authorization, but Warehouseman shall not be responsible
for loss or error occasioned by such delivery.
B. When goods are ordered out, a reasonable time shall be given Warehouseman to
carry out instructions. In the event that Warehouseman is unable because of acts of God,
war, public enemies, seizure under legal process, strikes, lockouts, riots, or any other
reason beyond Warehouseman's control, because of loss or destruction of goods for
which Warehouseman is not liable, or because of any other excuse provided by law,
Warehouseman shall not be liable for failure to carry out such instructions, and goods
remaining in storage shall continue to be subject to regular storage charges.
C. In the event that a negotiable warehouse receipt has been issued, no goods
covered by that receipt shall be delivered, or transferred on the books of Warehouseman,
unless the receipt, properly endorsed, is surrendered for cancellation or for endorsement
of partial delivery. If a negotiable receipt is lost or destroyed, delivery of goods may be
made only on order of a court of competent jurisdiction and the posting of security
approved by the court.
15. Liability of Warehousemen
A. Warehouseman shall not be liable for any loss or injury to goods however caused
unless the loss or injury results from failure by Warehousemen to exercise such care in
regard to goods as a reasonable careful person would exercise under like circumstances,
and Warehouseman is not liable for damages that could not have been avoided by the
exercise of such care.
B. Goods are not insured by Warehousemen against loss or injury however caused.
C. Depositor declares that damages are limited to $_________________________.
16. Notice of Claim; Filing of Suit
A. Claims by Depositor and all other persons must be presented in writing to
Warehouseman within a reasonable time, and in no event later than either ______
(number) days after delivery of goods by Warehouseman or ______ (number) days after
Depositor or the last known holder of a negotiable warehouse receipt issued for goods is
notified by Warehouseman that loss or injury to all or any part of goods has occurred,
whichever time is shorter.
B. No action may be maintained by Depositor or others against Warehouseman for
loss or injury to goods unless timely written claim has been given as provided in
Paragraph A of this Section and unless such action is commenced either within
________ (number) months after the date of delivery by Warehouseman or within
(number) _______ months after Depositor or the last known holder of a negotiable
warehouse receipt is notified that loss or injury to all or any part of goods has occurred,
whichever time is shorter.
C. When goods have not been delivered, notice may be given of known loss or injury
to goods by mailing of a letter by (e.g., certified) ________________________________
mail to Depositor or to the last known holder of a negotiable warehouse receipt issued for
goods.
17. Cancellation of Agreement
This Agreement may be canceled by either Warehouseman or Depositor on ________
(number) days' written notice and is canceled if no storage or other services are performed under
this agreement for a period of (number) ________ consecutive days.
18. No Waiver
The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and
conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such
forbearance or waiver had occurred.
19. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of __________________________________________.
20. Notices
Any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective
address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.
21. Attorney’s Fees
In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party
in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all the sums that either party may be
called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party's attorney fees.
22. Mandatory Arbitration
Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration
of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one
arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall
arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration
Association then in force and effect.
23. Entire Agreement
This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior
understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be
binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.
24. Modification of Agreement
Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in
connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each
party or an authorized representative of each party.
25. Assignment of Rights
The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be
assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior,
express, and written consent of the other party.
26. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.
WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.
___________________________________
( Name of Warehouse Company)
___________________________________ By: ________________________________
(Signature of Depositor) ____________________________________
(Name and Office in Corporation)