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Delivery Service Contract

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Delivery Service Contract

This Delivery Service Contract (the "Agreement") is entered into as of between Client Name: and Carrier Name: .

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Client operates a business that requires transportation and delivery of goods within the Service Area described below; and

WHEREAS, Carrier is duly licensed and equipped to provide delivery services and represents that it has the personnel, equipment, and insurance required to perform the services described in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth the terms and conditions under which Carrier will provide delivery services to Client.

Scope of Work

Service Area: Frequency:

Payment Terms

Client shall pay Carrier the compensation set forth above in accordance with the Payment Schedule. Carrier shall submit itemized invoices showing dates, delivery descriptions, and amounts. Client will pay undisputed amounts within the invoicing terms. Disputed amounts must be raised in writing within ten (10) days of receipt of the invoice.

Term and Termination

This Agreement commences on Start Date: and shall continue until End Date: unless earlier terminated as provided herein.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon written notice delivered at least days prior to termination. Either party may terminate immediately for material breach that remains uncured for ten (10) days after written notice of such breach, or immediately for insolvency or unlawful conduct.

Insurance; Compliance; Independent Contractor

Carrier shall, at its sole cost, maintain liability, vehicle, cargo, and workers' compensation insurance in commercially reasonable amounts and shall provide certificates of insurance to Client upon request. Carrier shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, and regulations governing transportation and deliveries. Carrier is engaged as an independent contractor and not as an employee, agent, or partner of Client.

Check to acknowledge

Confidentiality

Each party acknowledges that during performance of this Agreement it may receive or have access to Confidential Information of the other party. "Confidential Information" means non-public information relating to pricing, customer lists, routing schedules, special handling instructions, or other business information. Each party agrees to hold Confidential Information in strict confidence, to use it only for performance under this Agreement, and to disclose it only to those employees or subcontractors with a need to know and who are bound by confidentiality obligations. This obligation of confidentiality shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years.

Indemnification and Limitation of Liability

Carrier shall indemnify and hold harmless Client from and against all claims, liabilities, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) arising out of Carrier's negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of this Agreement. Client shall indemnify Carrier for claims arising from Client's negligence or breach. Except for claims arising from willful misconduct or gross negligence, neither party shall be liable to the other for consequential, special, or punitive damages.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to conflict of laws principles.

Entire Agreement; Amendments

This Agreement, including any exhibits or attachments expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior negotiations and understandings. No modification, amendment, or waiver of any provision of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Miscellaneous

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other, except that Client may assign to a successor in interest in connection with a sale of substantially all of Client's assets.

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Carrier Printed Name:

By:

Date:

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What a Delivery Service Contract Covers

A Delivery Service Contract is a written agreement that sets the terms between a shipper or customer and a carrier or courier for transporting goods. It defines scope of services, pickup and delivery windows, pricing and payment terms, liability and insurance requirements, proof-of-delivery procedures, and termination rights. Clear contract language reduces operational disputes, protects each party’s financial and legal exposure, and documents expectations for service levels, access, packaging, and handling of special items such as perishables or hazardous materials. Use a Delivery Service Contract whenever recurring or single high-value shipments are arranged.

Why a Formal Contract Matters for Deliveries

A written Delivery Service Contract converts informal arrangements into enforceable obligations, allocates risk, and clarifies billing and performance metrics.

Why a Formal Contract Matters for Deliveries

Who typically signs a Delivery Service Contract

Identify the contracting parties (legal entity names) and ensure authorized signers are listed to avoid enforceability issues.

  • Logistics providers and courier companies that need to document pickup, transit, and delivery obligations for clients.
  • Retailers, manufacturers, and e-commerce sellers arranging routine shipments or high-value deliveries.
  • Third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment centers coordinating subcontracted carrier services.

Authorized Signers and Contact Roles

Operations Manager

An operations manager signs for practical performance commitments and typically handles scheduling, exceptions, and on-the-ground coordination. Their role is to confirm service-level terms and contact points for daily operations.

Authorized Signatory

A company officer or delegated representative (CEO, CFO, General Manager) signs for legal acceptance of financial and indemnity obligations. Use corporate resolutions where necessary to prove signature authority.

Core Clauses to Include in a Delivery Service Contract

A professional Delivery Service Contract groups operational, financial, and legal terms into clear sections so both parties can manage expectations and comply with regulations.

Scope of Services

Define pickup locations, delivery destinations, service types (standard, expedited), accepted package sizes/weights, and prohibited items; tie fees to specific service levels.

Rates and Payment

Specify base rates, surcharges (fuel, tolls, residential, oversized), invoicing frequency, payment terms (net 30, net 45), and late-payment interest.

Liability & Insurance

Set carrier liability caps, cargo insurance requirements, and procedures for filing claims for loss or damage; state required minimum coverages if applicable.

Performance Metrics

Include delivery windows, on-time performance targets, remedies for missed SLAs, and reporting cadence for key performance indicators.

Proof of Delivery

Require electronic proof-of-delivery (POD) or signed manifests, timestamp formats, and acceptance criteria for delivered goods.

Termination & Remedies

Detail termination for convenience and for cause, notice periods, obligation to return or salvage goods, and post-termination payment settlement.

Essential Information to Record in the Contract

Parties: Full legal names
Addresses: Street, city, state, ZIP
Contact Points: Phone and email for operations and billing
Service Description: Shipment types and service levels
Pricing: Rates, surcharges, and billing cycle
Signatures: Authorized signer names and dates

How to Complete a Delivery Service Contract — Step by Step

Follow these steps to prepare and finalize a Delivery Service Contract with clear, enforceable terms.

  • 01
    Identify Parties: Enter full legal entity names and addresses for each contracting party.
  • 02
    Define Services: Describe pickup/delivery processes, special handling, and excluded items.
  • 03
    Set Fees: Record base rates, surcharges, payment terms, and invoice cadence.
  • 04
    Sign and Date: Collect authorized signatures and dates from both parties; include printed name and title.

Customizing the Contract for Online Completion

Configure your digital workflow to collect required data, apply conditional clauses, and route signatures automatically.

Field Configuration
Party Name Required text field; auto-validate against ID
Service Type Dropdown with conditional surcharge fields
Insurance Amount Numeric field with validation and currency format
Signature Field Required; attach timestamp and signer email

Where to Send, File, and Archive the Signed Contract

Route executed contracts to operational, legal, and accounting stakeholders and store a certified copy for audit.

  • Operations Copy: Send PDF to operations inbox and upload to logistics platform
  • Accounting Copy: Deliver invoice-ready signed file to AP system
  • Legal/Archive: Retain a tamper-evident copy in secure records for retention requirements
  • Carrier Portal: Upload contract to carrier management system for visibility

Digital Signing and eSubmission Considerations

Electronic signing simplifies execution and centralizes records, but choose platform settings to meet legal and operational needs.

  • File Formats: PDF or Word DOCX supported
  • Authentication: Email + optional SMS or ID verification
  • Integrations: CRM, ERP, and cloud storage support

Ensure e-signature workflows comply with ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and applicable state UETA rules when executing contracts electronically.

Timelines and Typical Deadlines to Track

Common contract timing and deadlines affect when services begin, notice periods, and dispute windows; track these dates expressly in the agreement.

Effective Date:

Enter as MM/DD/YYYY; governs when obligations start

Service Start:

Specify scheduled first pickup date and time window

Billing Cycle:

Define invoice frequency (monthly, per-run) and due date

Notice Period:

State days required for termination notice (e.g., 30 days)

Claims Window:

Specify time limit for damage/loss claims (commonly 7–30 days)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using vague service descriptions that leave pickup/delivery responsibilities unclear and invite disputes.
  • Failing to list authorized signers, which can delay enforcement or payment approval.
  • Omitting insurance minimums or cargo limits, increasing the risk of under-compensation for loss or damage.
  • Not defining proof-of-delivery requirements or acceptable POD formats (electronic vs paper).

Penalties and Legal Risks of an Incorrect Contract

Ambiguous Liability: May lead to costly litigation or uninsured losses
Nonpayment: Late fees and interest charges may apply per agreement
Regulatory Exposure: Improper handling of hazardous goods can result in fines
Contract Voidance: Signatory authority issues can render the contract unenforceable
Insurance Gaps: Insufficient coverage may leave parties personally liable
Recordkeeping Failures: Inability to produce signed records during disputes or audits

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Capability Snapshot

Compare basic pricing and common capability differences among signNow and other market solutions to inform platform selection for contract execution.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Varies
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Contracts

Adopt standard practices that reduce errors, speed execution, and make the contract defensible in disputes.

Use Defined Terms
Define capitalized terms (e.g., 'Delivery Window', 'Loss', 'Proof of Delivery') and reference them consistently to avoid ambiguity.
Attach Exhibits
Include rate tables, service level definitions, and route maps as numbered exhibits rather than inline clauses for clarity.
Version Control
Record version or amendment dates when changing terms and require signatures on each amendment for enforceability.
Digital Audit Trail
Capture signer email, IP, timestamp, and a certificate of completion to strengthen electronic signature evidence.

Supporting Documents to Include with the Contract

Attach or reference companion documents that clarify operational and legal expectations for both parties.

Rate Schedule

A detailed table of base rates, surcharges, and billing rules that the invoicing team can apply without interpretation.

Insurance Certificate

Carrier-provided proof of required insurance naming the contracting party as certificate holder if requested.

Service Exhibit

Operational process steps, pickup and delivery windows, handling instructions, and contact escalation paths.

Claims Procedure

Step-by-step instructions for reporting, documenting, and resolving loss or damage claims, including time limits.

Frequently Asked Questions about Delivery Service Contracts

Answers to common execution, enforcement, and signature questions when using Delivery Service Contracts in the United States.


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