Courier Services Agreement (UK)
COURIER SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Courier Services Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into on [Agreement Date] between:
(1) [Courier Name], of [Courier Address] (the "Courier"); and
(2) [Client Name], of [Client Address] (the "Client").
SERVICES
1.1 With effect from [Start Date], the Courier shall provide [Service Type] services within [Coverage Area] for the Client, collecting consignments from [Collection Address] (or such other addresses as the Parties may agree) and delivering them to the addresses specified by the Client at the time of booking.
1.2 The Courier shall use reasonable endeavours to deliver consignments within the following target timeframe: [Delivery Time Commitment]. Delivery times are targets only and the Courier shall not be liable for delays caused by circumstances outside its reasonable control.
1.3 The Courier shall carry out the Services with reasonable care and skill in accordance with section 13 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982.
CLIENT OBLIGATIONS
2.1 The Client shall: (a) ensure that all consignments are properly and securely packaged, correctly labelled, and accompanied by all required documentation; (b) provide accurate delivery addresses and contact details; (c) comply with the Courier's prohibited items list; (d) declare the value of any consignment exceeding £[Liability Per Consignment] if enhanced liability coverage is required.
2.2 The following items are prohibited from carriage under this Agreement: cash, negotiable instruments, jewellery, precious metals, firearms, illegal substances, hazardous materials subject to the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations 2009, and live animals. The Client shall ensure no prohibited items are included in any consignment.
LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE
3.1 Nothing in this Agreement excludes the Courier's liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any liability that cannot be excluded by law.
3.2 Subject to clause 3.1, the Courier's maximum liability for loss of, or damage to, any single consignment shall not exceed £[Liability Per Consignment]. This limitation does not apply where the loss or damage results from the Courier's wilful misconduct.
3.3 The Courier shall not be liable for loss of profit, business interruption, or consequential loss arising from delay, loss of, or damage to a consignment.
3.4 All claims for loss or non-delivery must be submitted in writing within [Claims Deadline Days] days of the expected delivery date. Claims for visible damage must be noted on the proof of delivery at the time of delivery and submitted within 7 days.
CHARGES AND PAYMENT
4.1 Courier charges shall be calculated on a [Charging Basis] basis, as set out in the rate card or schedule agreed between the Parties and incorporated into this Agreement by reference.
4.2 Invoices shall be paid within [Payment Terms]. Interest on overdue amounts shall accrue under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
4.3 The Courier may apply a fuel surcharge, which shall be notified to the Client in advance and applied to all consignments during the relevant period.
TERM AND TERMINATION
5.1 This Agreement shall commence on [Start Date] and continue until terminated by either Party on not less than [Notice Period] written notice.
5.2 Either Party may terminate immediately if the other commits a material breach or becomes insolvent.
GENERAL
6.1 This Agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.
6.2 The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 shall not apply to this Agreement.
SIGNED by the duly authorised representatives of the Parties:
COURIER
Signed: ____________________________
For and on behalf of: [Courier Name]
Date: ____________________________
CLIENT
Signed: ____________________________
For and on behalf of: [Client Name]
Date: ____________________________
Courier
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
Client
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
What Is a Courier Services Agreement (UK)?
A Courier Services Agreement in the United Kingdom sets the services to be provided, the fees, the timetable, and each side's responsibilities for the engagement, and is governed by the Companies Act 2006.
Courier services encompass a broad range of delivery models. Same-day courier services provide rapid point-to-point collection and delivery, often within a city or metropolitan area, using dedicated motorcycles, cycles, or vans. Next-day and express parcel services provide nationwide or international collection and delivery through a hub-and-spoke network. Scheduled courier services provide regular, pre-planned collection and delivery runs for businesses with ongoing delivery requirements — for example, a law firm sending documents to court, a pharmacy delivering prescriptions, or a restaurant distributing to multiple sites.
The legal and commercial complexity of a courier agreement arises primarily from the handling of liability for lost or damaged goods in transit. Unlike a simple service contract, a courier agreement involves the courier taking physical possession of the client's property. If that property is lost, damaged, or delivered to the wrong address, the courier may be liable for the resulting loss. The extent of that liability — and the conditions under which it arises — are among the most important provisions of any courier agreement.
Courier agreements also address the courier's obligations in relation to prohibited items, the client's packaging and labelling responsibilities, the claims procedure for lost or damaged goods, the evidence required to support a claim, and the time limits within which claims must be made. These provisions have a direct impact on the client's ability to recover compensation if things go wrong.
Our UK Courier Services Agreement template provides a clear, thorough framework covering all the key commercial and legal elements of a courier relationship, including service descriptions, pricing, liability for loss and damage, prohibited items, claims procedures, and termination provisions.
The legal framework governing the Courier Services Agreement (UK) in United Kingdom draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Parties executing a Courier Services Agreement (UK) in United Kingdom should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Companies Act 2006 sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Courier Services Agreement (UK)?
A Courier Services Agreement is needed whenever a business engages a courier company to provide collection and delivery services on an ongoing or regular basis. This includes businesses that send parcels or documents regularly to customers, suppliers, or other locations; professional services firms (law firms, accountants, architects) that need reliable document delivery; healthcare providers (pharmacies, clinics, hospitals) that require medical sample or prescription delivery; retailers that fulfil online orders through a courier network; manufacturers and distributors that need regular logistics support; and any business that requires same-day or urgent delivery services.
For one-off or very occasional deliveries, a formal written agreement may not be necessary — the courier company's standard terms and conditions (usually presented at the point of booking) will govern the relationship. However, for ongoing or high-volume courier relationships, a bespoke written agreement is strongly recommended. It provides an opportunity to negotiate better commercial terms than the courier's standard rates, to agree enhanced service levels and reporting requirements, to limit the courier's reliance on standard liability exclusions, and to agree a volume-based pricing structure that reflects the actual volume of business.
A written agreement is particularly important where the goods being transported are high-value, time-critical, or sensitive. In these circumstances, the standard liability caps in the courier's published terms may be wholly inadequate, and the agreement should include enhanced coverage or require the courier to maintain specific transit insurance.
From a practical standpoint, a written Courier Services Agreement also provides clarity about the procedure for making claims in the event of loss or damage — a process that can become contentious without clear contractual rules. Having agreed procedures, evidence requirements, and time limits in writing prevents disputes and confirms that the client can recover compensation efficiently.
Parties in United Kingdom should prepare a Courier Services Agreement (UK) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.
What to Include in Your Courier Services Agreement (UK)
A thorough UK Courier Services Agreement should include the following key elements.
Party details: The full legal names, addresses, and contact details of the courier company and the client, including the designated account manager and emergency contacts.
Services description: The types of courier services to be provided (same-day, next-day, scheduled), the coverage area (local, national, or international), the collection and delivery specifications, and any handling requirements (temperature-controlled, fragile, or hazardous goods).
Collection and delivery obligations: The procedure for booking collections, the target collection and delivery times, and whether service level targets are guaranteed or best-endeavours commitments.
Client obligations: The client's obligations in relation to packaging, labelling, and documentation; compliance with the prohibited items list; accurate declaration of contents and value; and provision of correct delivery addresses.
Charges and payment: The pricing structure (per-consignment rates, volume tariffs, or rate cards), any fuel or surcharges, invoicing frequency, and credit terms.
Prohibited items: A clear list of items the courier will not accept, with an obligation on the client to confirm compliance.
Liability: The basis of liability for loss or damage, the maximum liability per consignment, the claims procedure (including time limits and evidence requirements), and any exclusions.
Insurance: The courier's transit insurance obligations and any option for the client to declare enhanced value for additional coverage.
Proof of delivery: The mechanism for recording proof of delivery (electronic signature, photograph, or written signature) and the client's right to access delivery records.
Termination: The notice period, consequences of early termination, and return of any client-owned equipment.
Additional compliance elements for a Courier Services Agreement (UK) used in United Kingdom include: Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for United Kingdom-compliant documentation.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Courier Services Agreement (UK) (United Kingdom) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/contracts/courier-services-agreement-uk
"Courier Services Agreement (UK) (United Kingdom)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/contracts/courier-services-agreement-uk.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Courier Services Agreement (UK) (United Kingdom)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/contracts/courier-services-agreement-uk}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Companies Act 2006}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
Courier contracts in the UK are governed primarily by the common law of contract, the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (which implies a term that services will be performed with reasonable care and skill), and the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 (which regulates exclusion clauses in business-to-business contracts). For road-based domestic courier services, there is no specific statutory regime equivalent to the international conventions that apply to air freight (the Montreal Convention) or cross-border road transport (the CMR Convention). However, many UK courier companies base their terms on the Road Haulage Association (RHA) Conditions of Carriage, which are a standard set of industry terms widely used for road transport and logistics in England and Wales. The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 may be relevant where a consignee (the person to whom goods are delivered) has an interest in the contract. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies where the sender is a consumer rather than a business. Data protection law (UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018) applies where the courier processes personal data about senders, recipients, or contacts in the course of providing services.
Liability for loss or damage to goods in transit is one of the most commercially significant provisions in any courier agreement. Under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, a courier cannot exclude liability for negligence that causes death or personal injury. For loss or damage to goods caused by negligence, any exclusion or limitation of liability must satisfy the reasonableness test. In practice, most courier agreements limit liability to a fixed amount per consignment or per kilogram of goods — for example, £50 per consignment or £20 per kilogram, subject to a maximum per incident. This reflects the standard approach under the RHA Conditions of Carriage. For high-value goods, the sender should arrange specific transit insurance or declare the value of the goods and pay any applicable surcharge to obtain enhanced coverage. The courier agreement should clearly define: the basis on which liability is calculated; the maximum liability per consignment; the procedure for making a claim (including time limits — typically 7 days for visible damage and 28 days for non-delivery); the categories of goods for which the courier accepts no liability (for example, prohibited items, fragile goods, or high-value items not declared); and any insurance offered by the courier.
UK courier agreements typically contain a list of prohibited or restricted items that the courier will not accept for carriage. Prohibited items generally include: cash and negotiable instruments (including cheques, bank notes, and money orders); jewellery, precious metals, and gemstones above a specified value; antiques and fine art; firearms, ammunition, and weapons; illegal drugs and controlled substances; hazardous materials (including flammable liquids, gases, oxidisers, explosives, and toxic substances) that are subject to the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009; live animals; human remains; and perishable foodstuffs that require refrigeration unless a specialist temperature-controlled service is agreed. Restricted items — which may be carried subject to prior written agreement and declaration — typically include: fragile or irregularly shaped goods; goods of unusually high value; medical samples; and items requiring specialist handling. The courier agreement should clearly define the prohibited items list and specify that the sender is responsible for ensuring that no prohibited items are included in any consignment.
Service level commitments in UK courier agreements depend on the type of service contracted. Same-day courier services — in which a dedicated courier collects and delivers within a specified window, typically within the same metropolitan area — may commit to collection within 30–60 minutes of booking and delivery within a further 1–3 hours. Next-day courier services — the most common form of UK parcel delivery — commit to delivery by a specified time the following working day (e.g. by 09:00, 10:30, or by end of business day). Scheduled or regular collection services commit to collecting from specified locations at agreed times on agreed days. The courier agreement should specify whether service level targets are guaranteed (giving rise to a right to compensation on breach) or best-endeavours targets only. Many courier agreements expressly exclude liability for delays caused by circumstances outside the courier's control, including traffic, extreme weather, customs delays, or industrial action. Service level credits for delayed delivery may be offered as a partial refund of the delivery charge, but not as full compensation for the value of goods or consequential business losses.
A business-to-business UK Courier Services Agreement should be structured to cover the full commercial and legal relationship between the courier company and the business client. The agreement should address: the services to be provided (including types of service, coverage areas, collection schedules, and handling requirements); the commercial terms (per-consignment charges or a volume-based tariff, invoicing frequency, credit terms, and fuel surcharge provisions); the client's obligations (correct packaging, labelling, and documentation; accurate declaration of contents; compliance with the prohibited items list; and provision of correct delivery addresses and contact details); the courier's obligations (timely collection and delivery, appropriate handling, maintenance of a proof-of-delivery record, and liability insurance); the liability regime (the basis of calculation, the per-consignment maximum, the claims procedure and time limits, and any exclusions); and termination provisions (notice period, consequences of early termination, and return of any client-owned equipment such as consignment scanners). Volume-based agreements may also include a minimum volume commitment from the client and a rate review mechanism.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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