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Warehouse and Storage Agreement

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Warehouse and Storage Agreement

It is agreed for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is acknowledged, that (hereinafter “Warehouseman”) does hereby lease to (hereinafter “Facility User”) the building and premises known as (hereinafter the “Warehouse”) and more particularly described as , County of , State of , on the following terms and conditions:

1. Use of Warehouse.

Facility User is entitled to enter and use the Warehouse for the purpose of placing items and materials into storage and retrieving said items during the Term of this Agreement as set forth in Article 2 hereafter. Facility User is not to store or to permit the storage of dangerous, radioactive, leaking items or materials in the Warehouse nor to permit any items or materials to be stored in a manner which may cause damage to the Warehouse.

2. Term.

The term of this Agreement shall extend from and after the date it is signed by both parties for a period of (weeks/months/year) and shall end at o’clock on .

3. Rent.

Facility User shall pay to Warehouseman the sum of $ by check, cash or money order in U.S. funds as directed by Warehouseman per (week, month, year), beginning on the first day of and continuing thereafter on the first day of such successive (week, month, year).

4. Right of Inspection.

Warehouseman shall have the right without prior notice to Facility User to enter the Warehouse for the purpose of inspecting or repairing or improving same. If items as stored by Facility User constitute a health or environmental hazard or a danger to the physical structure of the Warehouse, Warehouseman shall have the right and authority to have such items removed and the costs of such removal shall be the responsibility of Facility User.

5. “AS IS” Condition.

Facility accepts the Warehouse in “AS IS” condition, including power and utility hookups, without further modifications or repairs to be made by Warehouseman, except as follows:

6. Utility Costs and Service Fees.

Facility User shall pay all utility costs and service fees for the Warehouse during the term of this Agreement.

7. Default by Facility User.

Facility User shall be in default upon the happening of any of the following:

A) Rent is not paid as due and in the amount due; or

B) Any of the covenants and conditions of this Agreement are not performed as agreed or when due; or

C) Hazardous conditions caused by stored materials or the methods of storage are permitted to exist at or in the Warehouse.

8. Remedies by Warehouseman.

Warehouseman shall include all those remedies for breach of contract or default by Facility User which are available under the laws of the state wherein the Warehouse is located. Further, Warehouseman shall have the specific right, power, title and authority to move, to dispose of by sale or other method, any and all stored items, materials, equipment, cargo, inventory or commodities which remain in or at the Warehouse following the sooner date of the termination of this Agreement or which remain thirty (30) days after any failure of Facility User to pay rent as agreed. Any amount realized from such disposition by Warehouseman, which is in excess of the amount or amounts owed by Facility User to Warehouseman, shall be paid over to Facility User within sixty (60) days of such disposition. In addition to the contractual rights of Warehouseman herein agreed to, Facility User also acknowledges and agrees that Warehouseman has an absolute right to a warehouseman’s lien, including reasonable attorney’s fees for the enforcement of same, to secure any payments due from Facility User under this Agreement. Facility User hereby grants to Warehouseman a security interest in any stored items, materials, equipment, cargo, inventory or commodities to the extent of the full amount owed by Facility User to Warehouseman under this Agreement. If requested by Warehouseman, Facility User shall prepare and execute a financing statement for filing as may be applicable.

9. Termination.

Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving the other party thirty (30) days prior notice of such termination.

10. Notice.

Any notice required or allowed by this Agreement shall be made by personal service, registered or restricted delivery by United States mail, national courier service with registered delivery and shall be deemed effective only upon receipt by the party to whom notice is directed. The addresses of the parties to this Agreement for notice purposes herein are as follows:

WAREHOUSEMAN:

FACILITY USER:

11. Indemnification.

Facility User agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Warehouseman from any federal, state, or private party claim, lawsuit, settlement, judgment, penalty, fine or other cost, and reasonable attorneys’ fees which may result, arise or be caused from the use and occupation of the Warehouse by the Facility User.

12. Insurance.

Facility User shall maintain an insurance policy or policies which provide an aggregate amount of $ or more combined single limit per occurrence and shall maintain premises liability insurance in the amount of $ or more combined single limit per occurrence. Workers Compensation insurance shall be maintained by Facility User for its employees as is or may be required by the State of . Certificates of all such insurance policies subject to this Article and Agreement shall be provided by Facility User to Warehouseman within five (5) calendar days of the date of this Agreement.

13. Applicable Law.

This Agreement shall be subject to and construed according to the laws of the State of , except where the laws of that State may be superseded by federal environmental laws.

14. Entirety.

This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties regarding the subject matter and may be changed only by subsequent written instrument signed and agreed to by both parties.

WITNESS THE SIGNATURES of the parties hereto in execution of this Agreement, this the day of , A.D.

Warehouseman:

By:

Title:

Facility User:

By:

Title:

Enter text✕

What a Warehouse and Storage Agreement Covers

A Warehouse and Storage Agreement is a written contract establishing the terms by which a warehouse operator stores goods for a depositor. It defines the parties, scope of storage, receipt and release procedures, fees and billing, insurance and liability allocation, access and inspection rights, handling instructions, default remedies, and dispute resolution. The agreement may create negotiable or non‑negotiable warehouse receipts and often references UCC provisions affecting possession and liens. Clear scope and measurable performance standards reduce later disputes over loss, damage, and charges.

Why a Formal Agreement Matters

A written Warehouse and Storage Agreement allocates risk, documents handling obligations, establishes billing and access rules, and creates an evidentiary record useful in claims or financing situations.

Why a Formal Agreement Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Signs These Agreements

Each signer should confirm authority and any third‑party liens or financing claims before execution.

  • Warehouse operators and third‑party logistics providers managing inbound/outbound inventory and custody responsibilities.
  • Shippers, consignees, distributors, or manufacturers who deposit goods and require storage, tracking, and release terms.
  • Financiers and insurers who rely on warehouse receipts, insurance schedules, and accurate custody records for collateral or coverage.

Core Clauses to Include in a Professional Agreement

A comprehensive agreement balances operational details with legal protections; include explicit metrics and remedies to reduce disputed interpretations.

Parties

Identify full legal names and business entity types for depositor, warehouse operator, and any agent; include addresses and contact points for notices and billing.

Scope of Storage

Define accepted goods, storage location(s), special handling or environmental requirements, and maximum quantities; attach schedules or exhibits for SKU lists and hazardous materials instructions.

Fees & Billing

Specify rates (storage, handling, palletization, demurrage), billing frequency, payment terms, late fees, and responsibility for taxes or governmental charges.

Liability & Insurance

Allocate loss and damage risk, set limits of liability, require minimum insurance coverage, name additional insureds, and describe claims notice procedures and subrogation rights.

Access & Release

Set release authorization procedures, required documentation for pickup, identification checks, hold/release instructions, and responsibilities for third‑party carriers.

Default & Remedies

Provide cure periods, storage lien enforcement, sale procedures for abandoned goods, indemnities, force majeure, and dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration or chosen courts.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Agreement

Follow these steps in order to create an enforceable, operationally useful agreement.

  • 01
    Gather Documents: Collect entity formation, insurance certificates, and SKU lists.
  • 02
    Draft Terms: Insert fees, handling rules, and release procedures tailored to the operation.
  • 03
    Review Risk: Confirm insurance, indemnity language, and lien enforcement align with business needs.
  • 04
    Execute and Distribute: Have authorized signers sign, then store executed copies with accessible audit trail.

How to Configure an Electronic Workflow

Set up fields and routing to mirror physical processes and preserve evidentiary trails for audits.

Field Configuration
Access Controls Role‑based signer permissions and view-only observers.
Notifications Automated emails for pending actions and completed transactions.
Retention Automatic archival and retention policies per document type.
Authentication Email or SMS code plus optional ID verification for higher risk transactions.

Where to Send or File the Signed Agreement

Typical routing preserves custody and provides reliable access for operations, legal, and finance teams.

  • Operator Records: Store executed agreement in the warehouse operator's document management system.
  • Depositor Copy: Provide the depositor with a signed copy and instructions for retrieval.
  • Finance / Billing: Send billing contact a copy to trigger invoicing and credit setup.
  • Collateral Parties: Deliver copies to lenders or insurers when warehouse receipts secure financing or coverage.

Technical Options for Electronic Signing and Storage

Verify the platform meets legal and industry requirements (ESIGN/UETA, HIPAA BAA if applicable) and provides searchable, tamper‑evident archives.

  • PDF Support: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Authentication: Email/SMS/KBA
  • Integrations: CRM and storage apps

Common Timelines and Notice Periods to Include

Specify timing for routine operations, billing, and dispute windows to avoid operational friction.

Inventory Reconciliation:

Schedule periodic counts (monthly or quarterly), and state time to dispute discrepancies.

Billing Cycle:

Define invoice frequency and payment due days, commonly Net 30.

Notice to Vacate:

Set notice period for contract termination or removal, often 30–90 days.

Claims Window:

Require loss/damage claims be reported within a stated period, commonly 15–30 days.

Cure Period:

Allow a defined cure period before enforcement actions, typically 10–30 days.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using vague descriptions of goods or duties, which creates ambiguity in loss or liability claims and complicates insurance coverage.
  • Failing to check existing liens or financing statements; undisclosed security interests can defeat a warehouse operator's lien or complicate sales.
  • Omitting specific release procedures and authorization thresholds, leading to unauthorized pickups or operational delays when carriers arrive.
  • Not aligning insurance minimums and additional insured requirements with the storage risks or lender conditions, leaving coverage gaps.

Key Risks and Contractual Penalties

Lost Goods Liability: Operator liability limits may cap recovery.
Late Payment Fees: Unpaid invoices can trigger storage lien enforcement.
Insurance Gap: Insufficient coverage shifts risk to depositor.
Breach Remedies: Contract may allow immediate termination for material breach.
Improper Release: Release without authorization can create third‑party claims.
Invalid Signature: Improper execution may impair enforceability.

Industry Use Cases: Real scenarios and outcomes

Two concise examples show how agreements support daily operations and financing.

Third‑Party Logistics Provider

A 3PL standardized its warehouse agreements to require documented handling protocols and insurance certificates

  • This reduced release disputes by clarifying authorization steps
  • As a result, the 3PL shortened resolution times for inventory claims and improved carrier coordination for scheduled pickups and audits.

Manufacturer with Inventory Financing

A manufacturer using warehouse receipts as collateral added lender notice and audit rights

  • This enabled financiers to verify stock levels without disrupting operations
  • The added transparency facilitated a credit facility and reduced the cost of borrowing.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Agreements

Adopt consistent templates and controls to limit ambiguity and support operational compliance.

Use Clear Exhibits
Attach exhibits listing SKUs, hazardous designations, and handling instructions so operational staff have unambiguous references and claims processes link to specific exhibits.
Align Insurance
Specify minimum insurance limits, required endorsements, and additional insured status to avoid coverage disputes after loss.
Preserve Audit Trails
Keep immutable signing logs and delivery receipts showing signer identity, timestamps, and IP or authentication method for evidentiary support.
Review Liens
Conduct UCC and financing statement searches before accepting goods; include procedures to notify secured creditors when appropriate.

Security and Compliance Considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES‑256 at rest
Audit Trail: Tamper‑evident logs and timestamps
Access Controls: Role‑based permissions and SSO
HIPAA BAA: BAA available where required
Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced options
Data Residency: Configurable storage and retention settings

eSignature Pricing and Feature Snapshot for Execution Workflows

Compare starting prices and core capabilities relevant to Warehouse and Storage Agreement workflows. Pricing shown is plan‑level and billed annually where applicable.

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 available Yes — trial available Yes — trial available Yes — trial available Yes — trial available
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium+) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes (BAA) Yes (BAA) Yes (BAA) No No

Frequently Asked Questions About Warehouse and Storage Agreements

Answers to common legal, operational, and signing questions encountered when using these agreements.


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