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Sample-Assurance Service Terms (English — Official)

Important: This Sample-Assurance Service applies ONLY to stock-ready finished-goods samples. ODM / OEM / custom-printed private-label samples are NOT eligible for this service.

1. Definitions

• Sample-Assurance Service: Platform-provided sample assistance service with $0.00 platform service fee.
• Stock-Ready Finished Sample: Existing finished product from supplier, without custom modification, new logo printing or repackaging, resalable by supplier.
• Sample Security Deposit: Deposit equal to sample goods value + QC Inspection & Video Fee; the goods-value portion is refundable, NOT a platform service fee, for workflow risk control.
• QC Inspection & Video Fee: A flat fee charged per sample order (one fee per order, not per piece) for unboxing video shooting, multi-angle photos and inspection summary. It is earned once the unboxing video is shot and is non-refundable regardless of the buyer's decision; it is refunded in full if the order is cancelled before shooting starts.
• Platform QC Checkpoint: Designated domestic receiving location. All eligible samples under this service must be delivered to this checkpoint for QC inspection. Direct-shipment from supplier to overseas buyer is prohibited.
• Platform Advance Payment: Platform advances sample payment to supplier only after buyer has fully paid the Sample Security Deposit.

2. Service Eligibility

You may apply for Sample-Assurance only if all below conditions are satisfied:

• Your project procurement type is Stock-Ready;
• The sample is off-the-shelf finished goods without custom-logo printing, repackaging or structural modification;
• Sample quantity limited to 1-3 pieces per supplier;
• Buyer has completed basic platform identity verification;
• Target supplier has enabled Sample-Assurance service.

This service is NOT available for ODM, OEM-modified samples, or private-label custom-printed samples. The platform reserves the right to throttle or reject sample-assurance applications due to capacity limitation or risk-control reasons.

3. Financial Terms

• Platform matchmaking service fee: $0.00 USD. It is separate and independent from the QC Inspection & Video Fee below.
• QC Inspection & Video Fee: charged per order (one flat fee per sample order, not per piece), covering unboxing video shooting, multi-angle photos and inspection summary; collected together with the deposit at checkout. The applicable rate is the one published by the platform at the time of order (staged: first-order rate / standard rate / ten-pack rate).
• Buyer shall pay the Sample Security Deposit = sample goods value + QC Inspection & Video Fee. Domestic freight (supplier to platform QC checkpoint) is collected and paid on buyer\'s behalf and shown as a separate line.
• Transparent pricing and single collection: sample value, domestic freight and QC Inspection & Video Fee are presented as three separate lines with a stated total, collected once on the same page where buyer pays for the sample. Buyer knows the full amount payable before making the first payment.
• No secondary paywall: once inspection video and summary are released, buyer may view them directly. Platform shall not impose any paywall, unlock fee or additional charge in the "video ready" notification or at any other step.
• The QC Inspection & Video Fee is earned once the unboxing video is shot and is non-refundable whether the buyer accepts the sample or files a return request. If the order is cancelled before shooting starts, the fee is refunded in full.
• If buyer accepts the sample: the goods-value portion is settled to the supplier as sample payment, the QC fee is retained by the platform, and the sample is forwarded to the buyer's overseas address.
• If arbitrator confirms return-eligible case: the sample is returned to the supplier; only the goods-value portion is refunded to the buyer's original payment method; the QC fee is not refunded. Refund processing takes 3-7 business days subject to payment-provider schedule.
• If return conditions are NOT met: the sample is shipped to the buyer, the goods-value portion is settled to the supplier as sample payment, and the QC fee is retained by the platform.
• This service governs only sample-assurance workflow and does not apply to mass-order transactions. Platform does NOT hold mass-order funds.

4. Sample Workflow

1. Buyer submits application and pays Sample Security Deposit.
2. Platform advances payment to supplier. Supplier must deliver sample to Platform QC Checkpoint. Direct shipment to overseas buyer is forbidden.
3. On-site QC agent receives parcel, captures full-view inspection videos & photos, generates QC summary note. All media files are retained as immutable evidence.
4. Inspection materials are released to buyer. Buyer must explicitly Accept Sample or Submit Dispute & Request Return on platform. Sample will NOT be dispatched overseas before buyer's explicit decision.

5. Return Eligibility

Return eligibility is determined by a two-prong formal test. Both prongs must be satisfied:

✅ Prong 1 — Resale Eligibility. The sample has not been rendered unfit for resale: the item itself, its original packaging, accessories, tags and labels remain complete, with no trace of use, damage, alteration, disassembly or contamination, so that the sample can be resold in its original condition. This is verified by the platform QC checkpoint, with image evidence retained on file.

✅ Prong 2 — Return Window Eligibility. The return request is submitted within the no-reason return window committed by the supplier for its samples. The window length follows the value registered in the supplier's sample-assurance capability profile (the platform default of seven (7) calendar days applies where unregistered), counted from the date the platform QC checkpoint signed for the sample.

Return is NOT permitted under the following circumstances:

• The sample has been rendered unfit for resale (used, altered, disassembled, missing packaging or tags, damaged or contaminated);
• The return request falls outside the supplier's committed no-reason return window;
• The sample has been customised, relabelled or otherwise reworked at buyer's instruction;
• The sample has suffered man-made damage.

Note: Objective defect grounds — material mismatch, functional defect, specification deviation — are not a precondition for return. The platform nevertheless records them in full and posts them to the supplier performance file for supplier rating and dispute handling. Buyer enjoys a no-reason return right within the return window; subjective dissatisfaction likewise qualifies where both prongs are satisfied.

Final return eligibility decision shall be made by the platform arbitrator based on supplier description, QC footage, project records and the verification of the two prongs above. Arbitration outcome is final.

6. Disclaimers

• Stock status and unit price are self-reported by suppliers, platform provides no guarantee. Formal quotation takes effect only after RFQ confirmation.
• QC video and photos are for buyer reference only. QC inspection does NOT constitute platform warranty for product quality, safety or compliance.
• Platform advance payment is only for workflow convenience. Platform shall not bear unlimited liability for supplier-side product quality issues. This service is an auxiliary sample-check service and does not change underlying buyer-supplier sales relationship.
• Platform shall not be liable for losses caused by force-majeure events including but not limited to logistics delay, customs intervention and natural disasters.
• Platform may restrict or revoke buyer's Sample-Assurance access if buyer abuses the service by repeatedly filing unfounded disputes.

7. Evidence Retention

Sample-assurance orders, QC videos, photos, dispute records and arbitration decisions will be stored as immutable records in compliance with platform privacy policy.

8. Miscellaneous

• Sample-related disputes shall first go through platform internal arbitration process.
• This service is an add-on feature and does not override the main platform sourcing-agent service agreement.
• Platform may update these terms; updated version will be published on website.