Shipping Policy

Welcome to CTC Cargo (operating under CTC Cargo Logistics). This Shipping and Delivery Policy sets out the terms, conditions, timelines, and transit procedures applicable to all domestic parcel deliveries across India and international cargo freight booked through our website (www.ctccargo.co.in), mobile interfaces, retail service centers, authorized franchise outlets, or API merchant integrations.

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1. Service Coverage & Operational Network

CTC Cargo operates an extensive multimodal hub-and-spoke distribution network across domestic territories and international logistics corridors:

• Domestic Express Network: Complete Pan-India delivery coverage spanning 28 States and 8 Union Territories, servicing over 27,000+ postal PIN codes through automated primary express hubs, regional transshipment facilities, and local delivery centers.
• International Air & Ocean Cargo: Cross-border air freight and courier forwarding to over 190+ countries and global territories, including primary corridors to the United States (USA), Australia, United Kingdom (UK), Germany, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Canada, Singapore, and New Zealand, in compliance with IATA and global customs frameworks.
• Specialized B2B & Merchant Fulfillment: Cash on Delivery (COD) services, reverse logistics (RTO / returns), bulk freight, multi-box consignments, and surface cargo linehaul operations for registered enterprises.

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2. Estimated Shipping & Delivery Timelines

Delivery timeframes commence immediately once the shipment is physically received and scan-verified at a CTC Cargo origin facility. Indicative transit timelines are detailed below:

*Note: International delivery timelines are exclusive of national customs clearance windows, regulatory border inspections, quarantine delays, or local bank holidays in the destination jurisdiction.

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3. Shipping Rate & Freight Charge Calculation

All shipping charges quoted on our portal are determined transparently based on standard logistics criteria:

• Chargeable Weight: Freight is assessed on the higher of the actual physical gross weight (in kilograms) or volumetric weight.
• Volumetric Weight Formula: For air and express domestic cargo, volumetric weight is computed as:
  
  Volumetric Weight (kg) = [ Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) ] ÷ 5,000
• Transparent Breakdown: Invoices clearly state the Base Freight Rate, Applicable Goods & Services Tax (GST at statutory 18%), Fuel Surcharge (where applicable), and optional Transit Protection / Insurance charges.
• Cash on Delivery (COD) Fee: For COD consignments, a standard handling fee or percentage of cash collection is added to cover secure banking collection and remittance workflows.

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4. Order Pickup & Dispatch SLA

• Same-Day Pickup Window: Orders booked online prior to 02:00 PM (IST) on business days are scheduled for same-day collection from the consignor's registered pickup address. Bookings made after cutoff are assigned for next business morning pickup.
• Packaging Responsibility: Shippers must ensure merchandise is securely packaged in suitable corrugated boxes, tamper-evident envelopes, or crated containers with adequate protective cushioning (bubble wrap, air pillows) to withstand automated sortation and linehaul transit.
• Pickup Verification: The consignor receives a physical or digital handover receipt upon surrendering packages to the authorized CTC Cargo field representative.

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5. Real-Time Tracking & Notifications

CTC Cargo provides end-to-end milestone visibility for every booked consignment:

• Air Waybill (AWB) / Tracking ID: A unique numeric or alphanumeric tracking identifier (e.g., CTC-123456 or WE-XXXXXXXX) is generated instantly upon booking confirmation.
• Live GPS & Barcode Tracking: Consignors and recipients can monitor real-time checkpoint updates, hub arrivals, departures, out-for-delivery status, and rider details anytime by entering their AWB on our Live Tracking Portal.
• Automated Alerts: Real-time SMS, email, and WhatsApp milestone notifications are automatically dispatched at major events (Pickup Confirmation, Inbound Hub Scan, Out for Delivery, and Successful Delivery).

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6. Delivery Execution & Proof of Delivery (POD)

• Authorized Handover: Shipments are delivered to the recipient address provided on the consignment note. Delivery is completed upon verifying the recipient or authorized representative at the premises.
• Electronic Proof of Delivery (e-POD): Deliveries are recorded digitally with a time-stamped recipient signature, verified OTP (One Time Password), geo-coordinates, or parcel handover photograph, viewable online via merchant and admin dashboards.
• Multi-Attempt Delivery Protocol: If the consignee is unavailable, the address is inaccessible, or premises are closed, our delivery executive will make up to three (3) consecutive delivery attempts across successive business days. The recipient is contacted telephonically before scheduling subsequent attempts.
• Return to Origin (RTO): If the package remains undeliverable after 3 attempts or is explicitly rejected by the consignee, it is safely consolidated and returned to the shipper's origin warehouse as per commercial return agreements.

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7. International Shipping & Customs Compliance

• KYC & Export Documentation: As mandated by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Indian Customs, international shippers must provide valid Government-recognized identification (Aadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card for individuals; GSTIN & IEC Code for commercial organizations).
• Customs Duties, Taxes & Levies: Unless a specific Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) arrangement is contracted, international consignments are shipped on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis. Any import tariffs, customs duties, value-added taxes (VAT), brokerage assessments, or quarantine inspection charges levied by the destination country's government remain the sole responsibility of the consignee.
• Customs Regulatory Inspections: CTC Cargo is not liable for shipment delays resulting from random customs examinations, formal physical border inspections, or incomplete paperwork provided by the consignor.

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8. Delay Exclusions & Force Majeure

While CTC Cargo maintains industry-leading delivery success ratios, we shall not be held liable for transit delays caused by circumstances beyond reasonable operational control, including but not limited to:

• Extreme weather events, floods, cyclones, landslides, or earthquakes.
• Commercial airline delays, cargo flight cancellations, or airport terminal congestion.
• Civil unrest, state strikes (bandhs), regional lockdowns, or highway roadblocks.
• Inaccurate, incomplete, or unserviceable address provided by the sender.

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9. Shipping Assistance & Helpdesk

For inquiries regarding shipment status, delivery reschedules, address corrections, or priority cargo logistics, please reach out to our dedicated support desk: