INTERIM RULES FOR GENERAL AVERAGE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CHINA COUNCIL FPROMOTION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE (KNOWN AS BEIJING RULES FORADJUSTMENT, FOR SHORT)
INTERIM RULES FOR GENERAL AVERAGE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CHINA COUNCIL FPROMOTION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE (KNOWN AS BEIJING RULES FORADJUSTMENT, FOR SHORT)
Important Notice:
This English document is coming from the "LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA GOVERNING FOREIGN-RELATED MATTERS" (1991.7)
which is compiled by the Brueau of Legislative Affairs of the State
Council of the People's Republic of China, and is published by the China
Legal System Publishing House.
In case of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.
Whole Document
INTERIM RULES FOR GENERAL AVERAGE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CHINA COUNCIL FOR THE
PROMOTION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE KNOWN AS BEIJING RULES FOR
ADJUSTMENT, FOR SHORT
(Promulgated on January 1, 1975)
With a view to dealing properly with general average adjustment on the
basis of equality and mutual benefit so as to enhance friendly relations
among peoples of different countries and promote the development of
international trade and marine transport, the China Council for the
Promotion of International Trade has formulated the present Interim Rules
and set up the Department for Average Adjustment.
Article 1 Scope of general average.
The following extraordinary loss of damage and reasonable extra expenses
arising from measures properly taken for relieving a ship, cargo, etc.
from common danger caused by natural calamities, accidents and/or other
extraordinary circumstances in marine transport shall fall within the
scope of general average:
1. loss of damage reasonably caused to the ship, cargo, etc. for rescuing
the same from danger;
2. extra expenses incurred by the ship for entering a port of refuge, port
charges incurred during the extra period of the ship's staying in a port
of refuge and extra expenses for the ship's leaving the port of refuge
subsequently with her original cargo;
3. crew's wages and maintenance incurred as well as fuel and stores
consumed during the prolongation of the voyage occasioned by the ship
proceeding to a port of refuge and during the extra period of the ship's
stay in a port of refuge;
4. salvage expenses, expenses for forced discharge and reloading of the
cargo, etc. and other extra expenses.
Where the ship needs repairs for the safe completion of the voyage in
consequence of damage caused by an accident during the voyage, the port
charges, crew's wages and maintenance and fuel and stores necessarily
incurred or consumed during the reasonable period of detention of the ship
in the port of repair, as well as the expenses and loss or damage arising
from such discharging, reloading and handling on board of the cargo, etc.
as are required for the repairs, may under the present circumstances be
admitted as general average.
Where any expense is incurred to save another expense which would have
been admissible in general average, such expense may be allowed in general
average as a substituted expenses. Unless otherwise agreed upon by and
between the ship and cargo interests, the amount so allowable shall not
exceed the amount of the expense saved. With the exception of loss or
damage and expenses referred to in the above three paragraphs, any other
indirect loss, including loss or damage and expenses through delay, shall
not fall within the scope of general average.
Article 2 Principle of adjusting general average.
The principle of general average adjustment is the ascertainment of
liability on the basis of investigation and study and dealing with the
compensation for and contribution to various losses and expenses fairly,
reasonably and in a truth-seeking way.
The onus of proof shall be upon the party applying for general average
adjustment as well as the other parties concerned to show that their
respective loss or damage and expenses claimed for are allowable as
general average according to the provisions of the Rules.
If the event giving rise to a claim submitted for adjustment as general
average is due to a fault of one of the parties to the contract of
affreightment, for which he is not entitled to exemption from liability,
no general average adjustment shall be proceeded with, but the case may be
otherwise appropriately dealt with through consultation according to the
circumstances involved.
Article 3 Computation of amount of general average loss or damage.
The amount to be admitted as general average for loss or damage to the
ship, cargo and freight shall be computed on the following basis:
1. The amount allowable for loss or damage to the ship shall be computed
in accordance with the actual reasonable cost of repairing such damage,
including cost of temporary repairs and of replacements subject to
reasonable deductions in respect of "wear and tear" Where no repairs have
been effected, computation shall be made in accordance with the reasonably
estimated cost of necessary repairs. The amount allowable for loss of or
damage to fuel and stores, etc. shall be computed on the basis of their
actual values.
2. The amount allowable for loss of or damage to the cargo shall be
computed on the basis of the CIF value, less the freight which would have
been incurred but for such loss or damage. Where the cargo so damaged is
sold and it is impossible to ascertain the extent of the damage, the
amount shall be computed on the basis of the difference between the CIF
value and the net proceeds of sale.
3. The amount allowable for loss of freight shall be computed on the basis
of the freight lost owing to the loss of, or damage to, the cargo, less
the operating costs of the ship, which would have been incurred but for
such loss of damage.
Article 4 Contribution to general average.
General average loss or damage and expenses shall be contributed to by the
benefited interests in proportion to their respective contributory values.
The contributory value shall be computed on the following basis:
1. The contributory value of the ship shall be computed either in
accordance with the value of the ship in sound condition at the time and
place of the termination of the voyage, less the amount of loss or damage
not allowable in general average, or in accordance with the actual net
value of the ship at the time and place of the termination of the voyage,
plus the amount allowable in general average.
2. The contributory value of the cargo shall be computed on the basis of
the CIF values, less the amount of loss or damage not allowable in general
average and the freight at the risk of the carrier.
Undeclared or falsely declared cargo shall contribute on the actual value,
but loss of or damage to such cargo, if any, shall not be admitted as
general average. Passengers' luggage and personal effects shall not
contribute to general average except under extraordinary circumstances.
3. The contributory value of the freight shall be computed on the basis of
the freight at the risk of the carrier and subsequently earned, subject to
a deduction corresponding to the extent of the voyage still uncompleted at
the time of the accident giving rise to general average, plus the amount
of loss of freight allowable in general average.
Article 5 Interest and commission.
Interest shall be allowed on general average loss or damage and expenses
at the rate of 7% per annum until the date of the completion of the
general average adjustment.
A commission of 2% shall be allowed on general average expenses other than
crew's wages and maintenance and fuel and stores.
Article 6 General average security.
The contributing parties shall, at the request of the parties concerned,
provide a security to ensure the contribution to general average. Such
security may be in the form of a reliable letter of guarantee or a cash
deposit. Where a cash deposit is provided, the same shall be paid into an
account in a bank in the name of the Department for Average Adjustment
unless otherwise agreed upon by and between the parties concerned. Any use
of the cash deposit shall be decided by the Department for Average
Adjustment. The provision, use and refund of the cash deposit shall be
without prejudice to the ultimate liability of the contributing parties.
Article 7 Time limit of general average.
For the purpose of safeguarding the interests of all parties concerned and
completing the adjustment of general average as promptly as possible, all
parties shall, upon the occurrence of the accident giving rise to general
average, do everything necessary in time and declare general average and
provide the Department for Average Adjustment with relevant materials
within the following time limits:
1. Declaration of General Average
Within 48 hours upon the ship's arrival in the first port after the
accident, if it has occurred at sea, or within 48 hours after the
accident, if it has occurred in a port.
2. Provision of relevant materials For documentary evidence pertaining to
the occurrence of general average and general average loss or damage,
within one month after receipt thereof by the claiming party, but all
materials shall in any case be provided within one year of the completion
of the voyage.
In case of extraordinary circumstances the above time limits may be
appropriately extended, provided a reason for extension has been given
within the respective time limits to the Department for Average Adjustment
and its approval obtained. In case of failure to observe the above
stipulations on the part of any of the parties concerned, the Department
for Average Adjustment may either decline to proceed with adjustment or
adjust the case on the basis of the materials in its possession.
Article 8 Simplification of adjustment of general average.
With a view to lightening the burden of all parties concerned and
improving working efficiency, the adjustment of general average shall be
made as simple as possible; unduly complicated procedures and calculations
shall be avoided; adjustment shall be made as clear and concise as
possible and easy to execute.
Summary adjustment may be applied in simple cases.
For cases in which the amount involved is small, adjustment may be
dispensed with if consent has been obtained from the principal parties
concerned.
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