These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Backhaul Connect platform — the Telegram bot, WhatsApp bot, optional Mini App, and website (collectively, the "Platform") operated by Backhaul Connect ("Backhaul Connect", "we", "us", or "our").

By signing in and using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

1. Definitions

Post — a Post you create for empty lorry capacity or a load that needs moving.
Interest — an expression of interest in another user's Post.
Match — a connection between two users, created when the Post owner accepts an Interest.

2. Service Description

Backhaul Connect is a free, open marketplace— a Telegram, WhatsApp, and web platform where any eligible, signed-in user can post empty lorry capacity or a backhaul load in West Malaysia, browse the Marketplace, express Interest, and get matched. Posting and browsing are free and open to all signed-in users. Once two users are matched, we reveal both parties' contact details so they can arrange transport directly.

Backhaul Connect is a neutral Marketplace for Posts only. We do not process payments, hold funds in escrow, act as a carrier, broker, freight forwarder, or insurer, and we are not a party to any transaction between matched users. Pickup, delivery, and payment are arranged directly between matched users, entirely outside the Platform, on whatever terms they agree between themselves.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into contracts under Malaysian law to use the Platform. Organisations using the Platform are encouraged, but not currently required, to be registered with the Malaysian authorities (SSM).

4. Account Registration

You sign in with your Telegram or WhatsApp account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information. Your company name is optional; if you choose to provide it, it must accurately identify the business you represent. It stays private from other users until a Match is created, when it may help the matched party recognise your business. You must also keep your messaging account secure.

Backhaul Connect does not process payments, so we do not require Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification, bank details, or government ID to use the Platform.

5. No Party Verification — You Issue Your Own Documents

To keep matching fast, open, and free, Backhaul Connect does not verify the identity, licensing, registration, solvency, or trustworthiness of any user, and does not check that either party is who they claim to be or is capable of performing the transport. Matching is a connection only — it is not a vetting, endorsement, or guarantee of any user.

Because we do not verify parties and are not part of your transaction, you and the other party are solely responsible for issuing to each other all legal and commercial documents required for your shipment. This includes, without limitation, the invoice, delivery order (DO), receipt, proof of delivery (POD), and any consignment note, permit, insurance document, tax invoice, or other paperwork required by law or by your own arrangement. Backhaul Connect does not generate, issue, hold, witness, or validate any of these documents, and provides no such record on your behalf. You should carry out your own due diligence on any party before transacting.

6. Fees & the Transaction Between Matched Users

6.1 Backhaul Connect is Free to Use

Backhaul Connect is currently free to use. We do not charge any fee to sign up, post, browse, express interest, or connect with a match, and we do not process payments or sit in the middle of the transaction between matched users. If we introduce platform fees in the future, we will communicate the change in writing at least 30 days before it takes effect, and it will apply only to matches created after that date.

6.2 The Transaction Itself

Once you are matched, agreeing a price, arranging pickup and delivery, and paying each other happens directly between you and the other party— the same way it would if you'd found each other over WhatsApp or a phone call. Backhaul Connect is not involved in, does not process, and does not guarantee any part of that transaction. We do not hold funds, do not verify that either party fulfils their side, and do not mediate disputes.

6.3 Prices

If you choose to state an asking price on your post, it's for informational purposes only — a note between you and the counterparty, not a platform-enforced price.

7. User Conduct

You agree not to:

Post false or misleading load/capacity information.
Engage in fraud, misrepresentation, or deception.
Harass, threaten, or abuse other users.
Share login credentials or account access.
Use the Platform for illegal cargo (drugs, weapons, stolen goods).
Interfere with Platform operations or security, or scrape/automate access.

Whoever posts a load must declare cargo type and weight accurately. Whoever posts or accepts a load must not transport hazardous materials without proper certification, perishables without appropriate equipment, or oversized cargo without proper permits.

7.1 Legal Compliance & Prohibited Shipments

Any illegal item or illegal shipment is strictly prohibited on the Platform. You must not post, carry, or arrange the movement of any goods whose possession, transport, or trade is unlawful — including but not limited to prohibited drugs, weapons, explosives, stolen goods, contraband, counterfeit goods, and any smuggled or undeclared items.

Every shipment arranged through the Platform must fully comply with all applicable Malaysian laws and regulations, including (without limitation) the Road Transport Act 1987, the Land Public Transport Act 2010, the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987, customs and excise legislation, and all other Acts, by-laws, permits, and licensing requirements that apply to the goods, the route, and the mode of transport.

This obligation covers every person and asset involved in the shipment — including the vehicle, driver, shipper, transporter, and any agent, sub-contractor, or other party. Each must hold the valid licences, permits, registrations, roadworthiness, and insurance required by law for the goods being carried. You are solely responsible for ensuring this compliance; Backhaul Connect does not verify it and accepts no liability for any unlawful or non-compliant shipment.

8. Disputes, Reviews & Enforcement

8.1 Disputes Are Between Users

Backhaul Connect does not handle, mediate, arbitrate, or resolve disputes arising out of a match or shipment — including disputes over payment, cargo loss or damage, delay, no-shows, documentation, or the quality of service. Any such dispute must be resolved directly between the shipper and the transporter, on their own terms and, where necessary, through their own legal or insurance channels. Backhaul Connect is not a party to the dispute and bears no responsibility for its outcome.

8.2 Reviews

You may submit a review of a party you matched with through the Platform. Reviews help users assess a party's track record, but are not a dispute process and do not make Backhaul Connect a party to any shipment or commercial arrangement. You agree that any review you submit is honest, accurate, made in good faith, and not defamatory or retaliatory.

8.3 Enforcement

Backhaul Connect may take action where a user breaches these Terms, provides false information, posts fraudulent or illegal content, or misuses the Platform. Such action may include warning the user, restricting their account, temporarily suspending access, or permanently blocking further access to the Platform, at our discretion. This does not make Backhaul Connect a party to, or responsible for resolving, a dispute between matched parties.

9. Account Suspension

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that provide false information, post fake or duplicate Posts, violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent or illegal activity, or otherwise misuse the Platform.

10. Reporting Abuse & Fake Posts

If you believe a post is fake, fraudulent, or misleading, or another user has misrepresented themselves, you may report it to us. We target a first response within 5 business days during the early rollout. As stated in Section 8, Backhaul Connect does not adjudicate disputes between matched users — those are between the two parties directly — but we may suspend or block an account for fraudulent activity or other misuse of the Platform.

11. Intellectual Property

All content on the Platform (logos, text, graphics, code) is owned by Backhaul Connect or licensed partners. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works from Platform content, or use it for commercial purposes without permission.

12. Limitation of Liability

Backhaul Connect is provided "as-is" without warranties. To the fullest extent permitted by Malaysian law, Backhaul Connect is not liable for cargo loss, damage, or theft; delivery delays or failures; non-payment or any other dispute arising from the transaction between matched users; missing, incorrect, or unissued documents (invoice, DO, receipt, POD, or otherwise); or third-party services (Telegram).

Total liability of Backhaul Connect shall not exceed RM 100. Backhaul Connect strongly recommends that anyone providing transport capacity maintain comprehensive cargo insurance — Backhaul Connect does not provide insurance.

13. Termination

Backhaul Connect may terminate your account at any time, with or without cause, on 7 days' notice. Upon termination, your account will be deactivated and your data will be deleted per our Privacy Policy.

14. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of Malaysia. Any legal action arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall be brought in the Malaysian courts of competent monetary jurisdiction. Nothing in these Terms restricts a consumer's statutory rights under Malaysian law.

15. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Platform after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. We will notify users of material changes via the bot.

16. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at support@backhaul.thebigdays.com.