Selection of Moving Company and Settlement of Relevant Disputes
Choice of a moving method- One option is hybrid moving, in which a client packs his/her own boxes and a moving company ("Company") handles transportation and loading/unloading for the client.
- The other option is full-service moving, in which upon request, the Company takes care of the entire moving process including packing boxes, loading/unloading, organizing, and transportation for the client.
Request to the Company for an estimate- Upon request, the Company issues an estimate on a chosen moving method (Article 4 of the Standardized Agreement of Freight).
Choice of a moving company- The estimates received from moving companies may serve as a basis for selecting an appropriate moving company. In consideration of compensation for damages that may occur during the moving process, a moving company authorized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is recommended.
· Korea Freight Forwarders Association (www.kffa.or.kr) provides a list of authorized moving companies. You can also inquire at a Si/Gun/Gu office or ask a moving company for a copy of the license for trucking business.
Signing of a written moving contract- It is advised to make a moving contract in writing in order to receive compensation for any losses incurred as a result of nonfulfillment of a contract and any damages on freight.
Move- Down payment and freight charge
· Upon signing a moving contract, the Company may require a down payment of up to 10% of the total contract amount (Article 6 of the Standardized Agreement of Freight).
· No additional charges are required, other than freight charges and an excess, if any (Article 8(3) of the Standardized Agreement of Freight).
Contract cancellation and damage compensation- Cancellation of a moving contract
· Where the contract is cancelled due to the client's own faults, the client must compensate the Company for the damages suffered (Article 9(1) of the Standardized Agreement of Freight).
· Where the contract is cancelled due to the Company's own faults, the Company must give compensation to the client for the damages suffered, alogn with the down payment made by the client, if any (Article 9(2) of the Standardized Agreement of Freight).
- Company's liability for damages
· If the Company or its employees fail to prove their non-negligence during the service (i.e., packing, tranporting, organizing, etc.), it must compensate the damages of the client (Article 14(1) and(2) of the Standardized Agreement of Freight).
· If the Company or its employees cause losses, breakage or transporation delay intentionally or through their own faults; or if the client confirms the amount of damages caused by the Company's activities above, the Company must compensate the client within the fixed amount of damages (Article 393 of the Civil Act and Article 14(3) of the Standardized Agreement of Freight).
- Conciliation of disputes over the Company's liability for damages
· A client may ask the Korea Consumer Agency (www.kca.go.kr), a consumers' organization, etc. for conciliation of a dispute concerning the Company's liability for damages caused by a loss, breakage or transportation delay (Article 7 of the Trucking Transport Business Act).
※ Visit the website of the Korea Freight Forwarders Association (www.kffa.or.kr) for further details of a moving contract.