Terms and conditions

1. Scope

We provide supplier management, quality control, export and import coordination, translation and representation, and product photography services, as described on this website and confirmed in each individual quotation. The quotation, not this website, defines what is included in your project.

2. Quotations and orders

• Quotations are valid for the period stated in the document.
• Factory prices may change depending on material costs, quantity and specification. A quotation is only binding for the specification and quantity it states.
• An order exists once you confirm a quotation in writing and, where applicable, pay the agreed deposit.

3. Fees and payment

• Service fee: stated in the quotation for each project before you make a commitment.
• Costs passed through at cost: samples, inspections, freight, duties and bank charges.
• Payment terms: stated in the quotation for each project.
• Currency and bank charges: stated in the quotation. Bank charges are borne by the sender unless otherwise agreed.

4. Our responsibilities

• Identify and contact suppliers and document the comparison we carry out.
• Verify supplier documents to the extent they are available and report what we could not verify.
• Carry out the inspection scope agreed in writing and report the outcome honestly, including negative findings.
• Coordinate the export documents and the parties involved, and keep you informed.

5. What is not our responsibility

Supplier management is coordination work. The following are outside our control and responsibility, unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing:

• The factory's production process, its labor practices and its compliance with the laws of its own country.
• The product's conformity with the technical, safety, labeling or certification standards of your destination market. You are the importer and you define the required standard; we can inspect against the standard you set.
• Import duties, taxes, customs classification and clearance in the destination country.
• Acts and delays by freight forwarders, shipping lines, airlines and customs authorities.
• Damage occurring during transport, which is covered by cargo insurance.
• Currency fluctuations and changes in trade tariffs.

6. Inspections

An inspection is a sampling check at a specific point in time, carried out according to the scope agreed in writing. It reduces risk, but it does not make the shipment defect-free and it is not a product warranty. Where a sampling plan is used, the report states the plan and the accepted defect levels.

7. Confidentiality and your product

Product information, drawings, specifications and pricing that you send us are treated as confidential and are only shared with a supplier to the extent necessary to obtain a quotation or produce your order. We do not publish your product or your company name without written authorization. If you request it, we sign a mutual confidentiality agreement before receiving your files.

8. Intellectual property

You confirm that you have the right to manufacture the products you order and that they do not infringe third-party rights. Designs, drawings and photographs you provide remain yours. Photographs and videos we produce for you are licensed for commercial use; the scope is stated in the AEC Quality quotation.

9. Cancellation

• Before the factory starts production: the order can be canceled and only costs already incurred are payable.
• After production has started: the factory's terms for that order apply, and we communicate them to you in writing before you make the commitment.
• Costs already incurred, such as samples, tooling and inspection travel, remain payable.

10. Liability

Our liability is limited to the service fee paid for the affected order, except for damage caused intentionally or through gross negligence, and where applicable law does not permit such a limitation. We accept no liability for indirect or consequential losses, such as loss of profit or lost sales.

11. Force majeure

Neither party is liable for delays caused by events outside its control, including port closures, export restrictions, natural events and public health measures.

12. Governing law and jurisdiction

The governing law and place of jurisdiction are stated in the quotation or contract for each order. Before starting any proceedings, the parties will attempt to resolve the dispute in good faith.