SFC Terms of Service
(Effective Date: 3 Dec 2010)

This is an Agreement between SFC and the Sender. Both parties shall abide by this Terms of Service, beginning from the date which the Sender registers for the service.
The term “Package” refers to the parcel which has arrived at SFC or has been received by SFC staff and subject to provisions relating to limitation of liability. If the Sender requires a greater degree of protection, then he should purchase insurance separately.

1. Prohibited Items

The Sender shall agree not to ship the following prohibited items: Hazardous materials and dangerous goods as defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other government departments or organizations. These include, but not limited to, batteries, items containing batteries, drugs for medical or scientific research, guns, live animals, non-standard magnetic materials, perishable goods, radioactive substances, vaccines, personal seal or official seal, etc. Items which SFC considers unsafe or unsuitable. These include, but not limited to, counterfeit goods, spray containers, alcoholic liquids, asbestos, butane lighters, medical waste, toxic substances, corrosive goods, food, tea, cash, checks, counterfeit money, drugs, dry ice, inflammable and explosive materials, non-standard magnetic materials, oxide and organic peroxides, weapons, ammunition, paint, live animals, cash and bearer negotiable instruments, precious metals and minerals, firearms, human body parts, pornographic materials, illegal narcotics/drugs and other items prohibited by local laws.

2. Inspection

SFC has the right to inspect packages randomly. Packages may be opened for inspection without prior notice to the Sender. If SFC discovers any prohibited items in the package, then the package shall be detained for one week before returning to the Sender. If the package bypasses SFC’s random inspection but the Customs discover prohibited items later, then the Sender shall assume full responsibility.

3. Delivery and Non-Delivery

The Sender shall be responsible for ensuring accurate and complete mailing address. It is not sufficient just to provide a PO Box or a postal code. In the case of postal service, the person’s name on the mailing address is considered as the Receiver, but it does not imply that the package will actually arrive in the hands of this person. If the address is a general or centralized location, for example, the reception desk or the mailroom, then the parcel shall be sent to that location. In any of the following circumstances, SFC shall handle the package in a reasonable way as advised by the Sender and the Sender shall be responsible for all additional costs:
• The Receiver refuses to accept the package or refuses to pay duties.
• The package is considered unacceptable.
• The declaration or clearance information does not match the parcel’s content. The Customs may request for certified information and the Sender shall be fully responsible for dealing with the Customs.
• The Receiver cannot be identified or found.

If the Sender does not provide timely advice or if the destination country’s government does not accept the Sender’s advice, then SFC has the right to abandon the package and shall not be responsible to the Sender or anyone else.

4. Shipping Fees

The shipping fees announced on the SFC website do not include remote area surcharge, special product or special packaging surcharge. Some shipping methods are based on either actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is higher. SFC may re-weigh or re-measure the package to calculate the actual shipping fees. The Sender shall pay all related fees to SFC. These include any other fees which SFC may have helped to pay in advance or on-behalf of the Sender, the Receiver or a Third Party. For example, surcharges, storage fees, duties, taxes etc. Sometimes, if it is not possible to estimate the surcharge in advance, then the final fees shall be based on the actual waybill. If the package is undeliverable (as described in Section 3), then the Sender shall pay all related fees such as return shipping fees, import costs, compensation, damages, fines etc.

5. Returns

If the package is undeliverable (as described in Section 3), then it may be returned. SFC cannot commit a timeframe for the returns because every carrier has their own procedure. SFC shall inform the Sender when the returned package has been received and shall handle the package in a reasonable way as advised by the Sender.

6. Liabilities of SFC

SFC shall only be responsible to the Sender for direct losses and the compensation amount shall not exceed the limit defined by the selected shipping method. SFC shall not be responsible for any other indirect losses or damages (including, but not limited to, profit, income, interest or loss of future business), regardless they have been made known before or after handling the package. Each package is eligible for one claim of loss or damage. The compensation shall be the final settlement of the claim. If the Sender feels that compensation may not be sufficient, then he should purchase insurance separately.

7. Tracking

The Sender may track the parcel online (except for regular postal service). In any of the following circumstances, the Sender may request SFC for assistance:
• There is no tracking information after normal processing time.
• The parcel has not been delivered within the estimated timeframe.
• The tracking information (except for EUEXP) indicates that the parcel has been delivered but the Receiver claims that he has not received it.
• The Receiver claims that the package is damaged, content shortage or different from what was sent.
• There are unknown additional charges.
The Sender shall provide accurate and complete information when sending a package and may be required to provide the same information for tracking purpose. Otherwise, the Sender is fully responsible for any problems that may arise as a result of the discrepancy. Due to time differences, geographical differences, transits and other restrictions from countries and carriers, SFC can only provide reasonable assistance and cannot be responsible for any delays in replies from the carriers.

8. Claims

A claim can only be filed after the investigation period.

Lost within SFC:
If the package is lost after it is received by SFC but before it is submitted to the carrier, then SFC shall be responsible. The compensation shall be equivalent to the declared value (based on the value entered in the SFC system) or the actual value (based on the proof of purchase or invoice of the item), whichever is lower. The maximum compensation per package is US$100.

Lost by Carrier:
If the package is lost after it is submitted to carrier, then the carrier shall be responsible. SFC shall assist the Sender to file a claim. The compensation is based on the regulations of the carrier.

Sent to Wrong Address:
If the package is sent to the wrong address as a result of operational mistake by SFC, then SFC shall refund the shipping fees. In addition, the Sender has one of the following options:
• Request for a compensation equivalent to the declared value (based on the value entered in the SFC system) or the actual value (based on the proof of purchase or invoice of the item), whichever is lower.
• Request for the parcel to be returned to Shenzhen (via regular postal service) or to be re-directed to the correct address (via regular postal service), whichever is cheaper. SFC shall not be responsible for any indirect losses or damages due to sending to the wrong address.

Lost at Customs:
The package may be selected for random inspection at the Customs. During this time, the package may be lost, or the content may be lost (all or partial), or the package may be confiscated. SFC shall not be responsible for such situations.

9. Delays

The estimated delivery time announced on the SFC website is the period from the time when the carrier has an operational record (of the package) to the time when it is delivered. It does not begin from the time when SFC receives the package and does not include the time spent within SFC or at the Customs. The estimated delivery time is not a commitment and is not part of the agreement of service. SFC shall not be responsible for any losses or damages due to delays.

10. Uncontrollable Factors

SFC shall not be responsible for losses or damages due to factors that are beyond the control of the carrier. Such factors include, but not limited to, natural disasters (for example, earthquakes, tornadoes, storms, floods, fog, etc), war, plane crash, latent or inherent defects in the parcel’s content (regardless SFC has been informed or not), riot or civil commotion, actions/non-actions by non-SFC staff and non-SFC partners (for example, the Sender, the Receiver, a Third Party, Customs officers and other government departments or organizations), labor events, data losses or data corruption (audio, video, image, data) etc.

11. Guarantees and Liabilities of Sender

If the Sender violates the law or any of the following guarantees, then the Sender shall be responsible for all costs associated with the violation and shall compensate SFC for all damages:
• The Sender shall ensure that all information provided is accurate and complete.
• The Sender shall ensure that the package is prepared with safety in mind.
• The Sender shall ensure that the person who prepares the package is reliable and trustworthy.
• The Sender shall ensure that there is no unnecessary interference to SFC during the preparation, storage or transportation of the package.
• The Sender shall ensure that the package is accurately identified, clearly addressed and well-packed for safe transportation.
• The Sender shall ensure that the package complies with the Customs, Import/Export Restrictions as well as other Laws and Regulations.

12. Routes

The Sender shall accept all routes and deviations as arranged by the carrier, including possible transits.

13. Applicable Laws and Dispute Resolutions

All disputes relating to this Terms of Service shall be resolved under the laws of the country of shipping origin.

14. Severability

If parts of this Terms of Service are invalid or unenforceable, the remainder should still apply and should not be affected.