Privacy policy

Cargoa operates this website and provides freight forwarding, warehousing and customs services. When this policy says we, it means Cargoa, Waalhaven Zuidzijde 21, 3089 JH Rotterdam, Netherlands. We are the controller of the personal data described in this policy and we process it in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

This policy explains what we collect, why we collect it, how long we keep it and what choices you have. It applies to this website, to quote and booking requests, and to the communication that follows with our planners.

What we collect

When you request a quote, track a shipment or contact us, we collect the details you enter, such as your name, company, email, phone number and shipment information. We also collect basic usage data such as pages visited and device type.

Details you give us

Contact details such as name, job title, company, email address and phone number. Shipment details such as origin, destination, cargo type, weight, dimensions, value, Incoterms and preferred dates. Customs details such as commodity codes, invoices and importer or exporter numbers when we clear goods for you.

Details we collect automatically

Technical data such as browser type, device type, approximate location based on your IP address, pages visited and the time spent on them. We collect this through essential cookies and privacy friendly analytics. Read our cookie policy for the details.

Details from third parties

Carriers, terminals, customs authorities and partner agents may share status updates and documents about your shipment with us, so we can keep you informed and complete the job.

How we use your data

We use your details to answer requests, prepare quotes, run your shipments and improve our services. We do not sell your personal data.

In practice this means we use your data to plan and book transport, prepare customs declarations and transport documents, send shipment updates, invoice our work, meet our legal obligations, protect our systems against misuse and, if you agree, send you occasional updates about our services and market conditions.

Legal basis

We process your data because it is needed to prepare or perform a contract with you, because we are legally required to (for example customs, tax and record keeping rules), because we have a legitimate interest in running and improving our business, or because you gave us your consent. Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

Sharing

We share shipment data only with carriers, customs authorities and partners who need it to move your cargo, and with service providers who host our systems under strict agreements.

These parties include shipping lines, airlines, road hauliers and rail operators, terminals and warehouses, customs and port authorities, insurers when you ask us to arrange cover, and providers of our IT, email and accounting systems. Each of them receives only the data needed for its task. We may also share data when the law requires it.

International transfers

Freight moves across borders, so some shipment data has to go to partners outside the European Economic Area, for example the agent who delivers your cargo at destination. When we transfer personal data outside the EEA, we use the safeguards the GDPR requires, such as the European Commission standard contractual clauses.

How long we keep your data

We keep quote requests that did not lead to a booking for up to two years. Shipment, customs and invoice records are kept for at least seven years, because Dutch tax and customs law requires it. Analytics data is kept in aggregated form only. When a retention period ends, we delete or anonymise the data.

Security

We protect your data with access controls, encrypted connections, regular backups and agreements with every provider that handles data for us. Only staff who need your details for their work can see them. If a data breach happens that puts your rights at risk, we inform you and the Dutch Data Protection Authority as the law requires.

Your rights

You can ask to see, correct or delete your personal data at any time, and you can object to marketing messages. Write to privacy@cargoa.com and we reply within 30 days.

You also have the right to restrict or object to certain processing and to receive your data in a portable format. If you are not happy with how we handle your data, you can file a complaint with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens), although we would appreciate the chance to solve it with you first.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when our services or the law change. The date at the top of this page shows the latest version. If a change is significant, we let our customers know by email.

Contact

Questions about this policy or your data? Email privacy@cargoa.com, call +31 10 555 0140 or write to Cargoa, Waalhaven Zuidzijde 21, 3089 JH Rotterdam, Netherlands.