General
1) AerOceaNetwork (hence called AON) is a non-exclusive network of independent freight forwarders and international logistics companies.  Network membership is not capped by AON.

2) All AON members must be local or regional logistics companies with good reputations (regarding finance, operations, communications, sales coordination, and other professional factors) which can be backed up with at least four third-party agency references from countries outside of the residence of their main head office.  This cannot be waived.  Major multinational companies that work primarily only with their own branches cannot join AON but neutral subsidiaries of such companies are allowed.

3) AON members agree in their first year of membership to transfer at least 50% or more of their new business activities to other AON members and from the second year of membership at least 70% or more of their new business.

4) AON members agree to attend the worldwide meetings, not missing two consecutive years without reason. If a member attends a regional meeting in the same year they missed an annual meeting, it is considered that they did not miss the annual meeting that year.

5) AON members who are not up to date and current with their accounts with AON will not be allowed to attend international meetings.

6) AON membership invoices for new members are payable upon presentation. For renewals, AON will invoice one month in advance. Renewal invoices are due thirty days after the date of the invoices.

7) Any bilateral agency contracts between two AON members are considered to supercede the AON’s standards, terms and conditions.

8) As a point of professional courtesy, AON members will not actively target and recruit personnel of other AON members in the same gateway. However, if personnel respond to advertisements or general announcements then it is down to the discretion of the staff member.

9) As a point of professional courtesy, AON members will not actively target and pursue accounts that they know work with other AON members. Should an AON member discover this to be the case with a new prospect, they should abandon the effort. However, if an AON member is directly requested to quote new business or bid on a project by a potential customer who currently works with another AON member, this becomes a non-issue. AON member should never low ball the bid or quote simply to grab the business if it is currently held by another member.

Financial Terms
1) Unless otherwise agreed, AON members will settle all debts within thirty days of invoicing one another.

2) Unless otherwise agreed, AON members will keep FOB, clearance, delivery / inland transportation, etc., charges for themselves. For international ocean or air carriage, a 50/50 profit share will be assumed.

3) Unless otherwise noted and agreed, it is automatically assumed that AON members will quote each other in United States Dollars. Quotations from AON members to AON members must specifically state other currencies if this is a requirement.

4) Unless otherwise agreed, payments to AON members will be in the currency quoted.

5) For on going business between members, monthly statements should be provided by the creditor.

6) For all ongoing AON business requiring offsets, unless otherwise agreed, both parties should provide statements for settlement by the 10th of each month.

7) Any amounts that pass the 60 day overdue mark should be reported to the AON Coordinator.

8) When an AON member supports a policy that a credit application is a requirement to do business, this should be clearly stated in quotations to all other AON members. Otherwise this will not be assumed to be a requirement.

9) All transactions between members are to be paid as agreed bi-laterally between members (or multi-laterally should the trade be cross trade arrangements between members). Payment between members for due invoices, debits, or other agreed debts which are incurred by the trade, unless priorly agreed between the concerned members, will not ever require or depend upon the actions, payments, or motions of any third or fourth parties (shippers, consignees, customers, or agents otherwise). If a debt with another member was incurred then it shall be duly paid by responsible party ordering the transaction as agreed. Awaiting payment from someone else is not an excuse for non-payment to another member unless these were the terms prior to the trade.

Communications / Operations
1) English is the common language of communication between AON members when writing. All AON members should have in their office at all times at minimum one person to handle communications who has an internationally acceptable standard of spoken and written English.

2) Rate request from other AON members that arrive in the AM should be responded to by the PM. Rate requests from other AON members that arrive in the PM should be responded to within the AM following business day. If the rate is not yet available, needs more information, or is difficult to get quickly, an immediate notification as such should be sent in writing. (When referencing AM and PM, we are noting the receiver’s time.)

3) It is assumed that AON member’s operations have workable telephones, faxes and e-mail systems. AON members should, when ever possible, use official company e-mail accounts for business and refrain from free sites such as Hotmail, Yahoo!, etc.

4) Routing orders to AON members should clearly state that the routing order is from an AON member. This is in order to avoid confusion.

5) Any time a quotation or shipment is refused, the refusing party must let the AON party being refused concisely in writing the reason the quotation or cargo is being refused.

6) If bilateral agency contracts are required by AON members as a condition of working with other members, this should be clearly stated in initial quotations to other AON members.

Sales Coordination
1) Acknowledgement of all sales leads should be undertaken by next business day latest. This includes leads that the recipient might not be able to accept for whatever reason (reason should be stated).

2) Leads should be followed up and reported to the originating party within five business days. This includes all leads with holding patterns.

Official Complaints / Dismissal / Termination / Resignation
1) Any official complaints regarding AON members should be made to the AON Coordinator with a cc to the AON Executive Director. Any official complaints regarding AON staff should be made directly to the AON Executive Director.

2) AON members may be dismissed at the discretion of the Executive Director for non-conformity with the AON Standards, Terms and Conditions listed here.

3) AON members may be dismissed at the discretion of the Executive Director for refusing to quote to or work with other AON members if they have never worked together.

4) AON members may be dismissed at the discretion of the Executive Director for non-payment of non-disputed debts to other members.

5) AON members may be dismissed at the discretion of the Executive Director for non-payment membership subscription fees after two official warnings.

6) Dimissal of AON members for financial reasons will be broadcast to all members for their financial protection.

7) Resignation of membership will have an immediate effect if no resignation date is given. If any outstanding debts or invoices are owed to AON, they are to be settled immediately. There are no refunds of membership dues for resignations.