Membership agreement

1. Introduction

MVP Global Network ("MVP") is a global network of independent freight forwarding and logistics companies offering general air and ocean freight services as well as specialist and niche services. MVP Global Network is managed on a neutral and independent basis.

2. Membership

Any qualifying forwarder may apply, whatever its size, specialism or existing agency relationships. To be eligible, a company must:

• have been trading for at least 2 years;
• have its own website; and
• use company email addresses, not free email services such as Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail.

Membership is limited to 3 members per service at each recognised seaport or airport. Where MVP Global Network management considers a location large enough, such as Shanghai, London or New York, up to 6 members may be accepted.

MVP Global Network management may accept or reject any application at its discretion and is not required to give a reason.

3. Termination of membership

Membership ends in any of the following cases:

1. The member resigns.
2. The first membership fee is not paid within 14 days of approval.
3. The annual fee is not paid within 7 days before the renewal date.
4. The member company ceases trading or is dissolved, or more than 50% of its shares or operating assets are sold or transferred. For a sole trader, on the death of the owner.
5. The member repeatedly fails to respond on accounting, operational or network matters, or breaches this agreement in a way that management considers serious enough to end the membership.
6. The member does not maintain MVP Global Network standards, resulting in repeated complaints from other members.
7. The member does not comply with the Payment Protection Plan (PPP) rules.
8. The member misses the Annual Conference in 2 consecutive years.
9. The member does not hold the local licences or permits needed to operate.
10. An owner or director of the member takes a leadership or ownership role in a directly competing network.

Fees are not refunded if membership ends during the year, and fees cannot be transferred.

When membership ends, for any reason, the former member must remove the MVP Global Network name and logo from its website, documents and marketing, and must not seek business using the MVP Global Network name.

Decisions by MVP Global Network management on membership are final. Management will inform members when a membership has ended and may give the reason, without being obliged to give full details.

4. Conferences

Conferences exist so members can meet face to face to develop existing and new business. Members will be given plenty of time to plan and book their one-to-one meetings in advance.

All members are expected to attend the Annual Conference. Other meetings may be arranged as needed.

A member that does not attend the Annual Conference will be charged US$500, unless it has agreed serious extenuating circumstances with management in writing before the conference. Missing a second consecutive conference may lead to termination of membership.

5. Accounting and settlement

Members must follow accepted industry accounting and settlement practices, as set out in the Payment Protection Plan, unless two members have agreed separate terms between themselves.

Read about the Payment Protection Plan and late-payment alert →

6. Disputes

MVP Global Network management can act as an independent mediator between members. If both members ask management to resolve a dispute, they must agree in advance to accept its decision without going on to further legal action.

7. General

• The working language of MVP Global Network is English.
• All rights in the MVP Global Network name and logo belong to MVP Global Network.
• Communication is mainly by email. Members must keep an active company email account and be able to open Word, Excel and PDF attachments.
• MVP Global Network's liability to any party is limited to the membership fees that party paid in the previous year.