Code of Conduct

General

1. Ethical conduct Members must uphold high ethical standards and interact with one another fairly, honestly and responsibly. Integrity must guide all business conducted within the network, and information shared with other members must always be accurate and must never be misleading.
2. Conflicts of interest Members must avoid situations in which personal, financial or other interests could influence or compromise their professional judgment or impartiality toward another member.
3. Professional respect Members must not disparage, defame or unfairly criticize another member, whether in communications with customers, business partners or any other party.
4. Confidentiality Members must not disclose confidential, financial, commercial or technical information obtained through discussions or negotiations with another member unless specifically authorized to do so.
5. Communication standards Members are expected to communicate clearly and promptly. Responses should be provided within a maximum of 24 hours, whether the matter concerns operations, sales leads, finances, management decisions or any other business-related issue.
6. Direct member communication Correspondence between members must remain direct and individual. Mass emails, bulk promotions or the distribution of rates and services to multiple members at the same time are strictly prohibited and may result in suspension or termination of membership.
7. Branding Policy NAP respects each member’s freedom to maintain other commercial relationships and network affiliations. However, members choosing to represent NAP are expected to protect the identity, positioning and value of the NAP brand.
   During active NAP membership, members must not display or promote the logos or branding of other commercial logistics networks or network alliances when communicating within the NAP ecosystem, including through email signatures, marketing materials, digital communications or other NAP-related communications.
   This restriction does not apply to recognized industry associations, accreditations, certifications or quality standards, such as IATA, FIATA, TIACA, AEO, TAPA, ISO, GDP, Pharma.Aero, CCA and QCargo, which may be displayed alongside NAP.
   The purpose of this policy is to maintain a clear and professional NAP identity, ensure consistent branding within the NAP ecosystem, and preserve the commitment, credibility and value associated with NAP membership.
8. Branding Policy Compliance Members are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Branding Policy across their organization.
   Where any non-compliant branding or promotional references are identified, NAP will normally request that these are removed or corrected within a reasonable timeframe.
   Continued or repeated non-compliance may result in restricted access to NAP communication platforms and, where necessary, a management review of the membership.

Zero-Tolerance Policy

9. Professional and respectful environment NAP is committed to maintaining a safe, professional, respectful and inclusive environment for all members, delegates, sponsors, speakers, partners and guests.
   This policy applies to all NAP events and activities, including OPENAP, business meetings, official functions, social gatherings and related communications.
   Regardless of personal views, political beliefs or opinions on current world events, NAP activities must remain focused on business, professional networking, cooperation and mutual respect. Neutrality is central to our identity and to the way the NAP community conducts business.
10. Sexual harassment Any form of sexual harassment is strictly prohibited. This includes unwanted advances, inappropriate comments, gestures, messages, invitations or physical contact.
11. Physical aggression or intimidation Physical assault, violence, intimidation, threats, coercion or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
12. Alcohol-related misconduct Participants are expected to exercise good judgment when consuming alcohol at NAP events and related social functions. Excessive alcohol consumption does not excuse behaviour that becomes disruptive, offensive, unsafe or unprofessional.
13. Discrimination, bullying or harassment Discriminatory, abusive, offensive, bullying or harassing behaviour is strictly prohibited.
    No person may be targeted, excluded, intimidated or treated unfairly because of their nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, political opinion, cultural background, gender, identity, professional status or any other personal characteristic.
    Differences in personal or political views must never be used to justify hostility, exclusion, humiliation or mistreatment within the NAP community.
14. Conduct harmful to the NAP community Any action that harms, or is reasonably likely to harm, the safety, reputation, integrity or professional environment of NAP and its members will be treated seriously.
15. Consequences of a violation Any violation of this policy may result in immediate removal from the event, suspension from future NAP events and activities and, where applicable, suspension or termination of the relevant member company’s NAP membership.
    The appropriate action will be determined by NAP Management based on the nature and seriousness of the conduct. All decisions regarding event participation, suspension and termination of membership remain at the sole discretion of NAP Management.
    This version retains every point requested by your boss, while making the policy easier to read and giving the zero-tolerance rules their own clear authority.

Operational

16. Members must mutually agree on handling fees and profit sharing. We encourage members to exchange net net airfreight rates with other NAP members when asked to quote on traffic, unless otherwise agreed (selling rates or subject to handling fees), and to clearly specify the terms and conditions for each quote. We encourage members to apply the industry standard profit sharing of 50/50 on routed business exclusively, unless otherwise agreed. This solely covers airfreight and not local origin or destination charges. Any prepayment request or quote subject to dead freight penalty must be communicated in writing prior to booking acceptance and only at the time of quotation.
17. Credit period cannot exceed 30 days from the expiration date of the monthly statement, unless two members agree otherwise. A minimum credit limit of 5,000 USD is recommended for all members, unless otherwise agreed upon between the parties. Members who are unable to honour the credit limit and terms due to their own strict internal compliance and credit policies must inform NAP management prior to accepting a booking.
18. When transferring payments between companies, each member should cover its own bank fees (shared bank charges transaction).
19. Airfreight charges must be prepaid on the Master Airwaybill, unless the airline accepts collect charges at a mutually agreed upon reduced rate.
20. Specific instructions listed on the Master (or house) Airwaybill, as well as any other written instructions, must be rigorously adhered to.
21. Members must provide written notice if they propose to assign airfreight operations to third parties. These terms may only be modified by mutual written agreement between members and must be commercially justifiable.
22. In the event of a dispute between NAP members, each party must first exhaust all efforts to resolve the problem internally. Members may request assistance from NAP management if a mutually agreeable resolution cannot be reached. In order for a member to be eligible for an investigation, evaluation, and mediation process, disputes must be submitted within ninety (90) days of shipment’s departure and must contain all documentation required by the SAFE plan.
23. Enrollment in the SAFE plan is mandatory for all members. NAP’s SAFE payment protection program can be found here: SAFE Payment Protection.
24. Disputes are investigated and are subject to an evaluation and mediation process during the annual NAP general conference. Two founder members of NAP, selected by NAP management, will act as mediators. Mediators and NAP management will each have one vote (for a total of three votes) in order to reach a decision on a particular dispute, unless the parties have already reached a settlement during the evaluation and mediation phases.
25. No cargo withholding between Members Unless otherwise agreed between the parties, or specifically instructed by NAP management, withholding cargo under any circumstances, for any shipment and for any reason, is strictly prohibited.
26. Disclaimer: Freight to be paid The Freight Forwarder at destination is liable for paying all freight charges to the Freight Forwarder at origin.
27. Unless otherwise agreed by and between the two Freight Forwarders, no offset of freight, fees, or any other amount is permitted.
28. The settlement of all freight charges by the Freight Forwarder at destination shall not be affected by any dispute or claim on past or current shipments, including but not limited to cargo delay, damage, or shortage.
29. Irrespective of whether the Freight Forwarder at origin has paid all freight charges to a third party, this shall not constitute an argument for the Freight Forwarder at destination to avoid settling said charges.