These Terms govern your access to and use of Silk Road Africa (the "Service"). By creating an account, placing an order, or using the Service, you agree to these Terms.
1. The Service
Silk Road Africa operates a curated, single-direction B2B marketplace where buyers located in Africa purchase goods sourced from verified suppliers in China. We handle sourcing, quotation, payment escrow, logistics coordination, customs, and last-mile delivery.
Supplier identity is not disclosed to buyers, and buyer identity is not disclosed to suppliers. Orders are placed with Silk Road Africa, and we transact with suppliers on your behalf.
2. Eligibility and accounts
- You must be at least 18 and have authority to bind the business you represent.
- Information you provide — including KYC and company details — must be accurate and kept current.
- You are responsible for all activity under your account.
- We may suspend or close accounts for violations of these Terms, applicable law, or our risk policies.
3. Buyer obligations
- Provide accurate product requirements, quantities, and destination details when placing a request.
- Pay the quoted amount in full (or the deposit, if agreed) within the validity window.
- Confirm receipt of goods promptly and raise any disputes within the inspection window stated on the order.
- Comply with all applicable import laws in the destination country, including customs declarations, duties, and product standards.
4. Pricing, quotations, and orders
- Quotations are valid for the period stated on the quotation. Prices may change after expiry due to raw-material or FX movement.
- An order is formed only when we confirm it in writing (in-app order confirmation or emailed PI). Prior messages, cart contents, and quotations are not binding.
- All prices are in USD unless stated otherwise. Local-currency display is indicative and subject to conversion at payment time.
5. Payments
- We accept mobile money (MTN MoMo, M-Pesa, Airtel Money), bank transfer, and card (via Stripe) depending on your country.
- Payments are held in escrow until you confirm delivery or the inspection period lapses.
- Failed payments, chargebacks, or reversals may delay or cancel an order.
- You are responsible for any bank, mobile-money, or FX fees charged by your provider.
6. Shipping, customs, and delivery
- Shipping timelines are estimates, not guarantees. Ocean freight typically runs 30–55 days door-to-door; air freight 7–15 days.
- Unless stated otherwise, orders are shipped DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — we handle customs, duties, and last-mile delivery.
- Delays caused by customs inspections, force majeure, port congestion, or incorrect recipient information are not compensable delays under these Terms.
7. Inspection, disputes, and refunds
- Inspect goods on arrival. Report shortages, damage, or non-conformity within the inspection window stated on the order (typically 7 business days).
- We will investigate claims with the supplier and third-party inspectors where applicable.
- Remedies may include replacement, partial refund, or full refund, depending on the finding.
- Claims submitted outside the inspection window are generally not eligible unless the defect was latent and reported promptly on discovery.
8. Prohibited items and conduct
You may not use the Service to source or ship:
- Weapons, ammunition, explosives, or military-use items.
- Controlled substances, precursors, or items banned under the destination country's import law.
- Counterfeits, items infringing third-party IP, or items bearing false country-of-origin marks.
- Goods subject to sanctions or destined for sanctioned parties.
- Live animals, untested pharmaceuticals, or hazardous materials without prior written approval.
You must not reverse-engineer, scrape, or resell Service data. See Trade Compliance for the full list.
9. Intellectual property
The Service, including software, branding, and content, is owned by Silk Road Africa or its licensors. You receive a limited, non-transferable right to use the Service for its intended purpose.
10. Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total aggregate liability to you for any claim arising out of or relating to the Service is capped at the greater of (a) the fees actually paid by you for the order at issue in the preceding 12 months, or (b) USD 500.
We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or loss-of-profit damages.
11. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify Silk Road Africa against claims arising from your breach of these Terms, your misrepresentation of goods or intended use, or your violation of applicable law.
12. Changes
We may update these Terms. Material changes take effect 14 days after notice. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.
13. Governing law and disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of Rwanda. Disputes are first attempted through good-faith negotiation, then binding arbitration in Kigali under the Kigali International Arbitration Centre rules. This does not limit consumer-protection rights you may have under local law in your jurisdiction.
14. Contact
Silk Road Africa · Kigali · Lagos · Guangzhou
Email: legal@silkroadafrica.com