Customer Service

Legal Terms & User Agreement

Terms of Service & Trade

These Terms of Service govern your access to the TradeEthiopia platform, wholesale marketplaces, RFQ systems, and enterprise services. Please review these contractual obligations carefully.

Updated: 2026Legally EnforceableCross-Border Compliant
Section 01

Acceptance of Terms & Eligibility

By registering, browsing, or executing transactions on TradeEthiopia, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and applicable international trade laws.

Access is granted exclusively to legally recognized corporate entities, registered business owners, licensed traders, and individuals aged 18 and above.
Users warrant that all registration credentials, business licenses, and tax numbers provided are accurate, active, and legally valid under their sovereign jurisdiction.
TradeEthiopia reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that provide falsified corporate data or violate commercial compliance rules.
Section 02

User Accounts & Enterprise Verification

Account security, verified profiles, and role-based permissions ensure trust across buyers, suppliers, and logistics partners.

Enterprise accounts must designate authorized corporate representatives with legal authority to enter binding purchase orders and sales contracts.
Account holders are solely responsible for maintaining credential confidentiality and all activities conducted through their credentials.
Supplier verification tiers (Verified Supplier, Gold Manufacturer) require physical facility inspections and statutory documentation audits.
Section 03

Commercial Orders & Binding Contracts

Clear rules define the formation, acceptance, and legal enforceability of wholesale purchase orders and export consignments.

A binding contract forms once a supplier confirms an issued Request for Quotation (RFQ) or counter-signs a formal Proforma Invoice.
Incoterms 2020 rules (FOB, CIF, CFR, EXW) stated in the confirmed purchase order dictate delivery obligations, carrier bookings, and risk transfer points.
Modifications to confirmed orders require mutual written agreement submitted through official platform communication channels.
Section 04

Pricing, Invoicing & Settlement Rules

Transparent pricing schedules, lawful currency settlements, and strict financial compliance protect market integrity.

All commercial prices must explicitly state currency (ETB, USD, EUR) and include applicable taxes, tariffs, or freight charges as agreed.
Settlement channels include authorized institutional banking mechanisms, Documentary Letters of Credit (LC), Cash Against Documents (CAD), and authorized national payment gateways.
TradeEthiopia strictly adheres to National Bank of Ethiopia foreign exchange directives and international trade finance governance.
Section 05

Intellectual Property & Content Rights

Protection of registered trademarks, product photography, catalog data, and technical specifications.

Suppliers warrant that all listed product images, trademarks, certifications, and technical descriptions do not infringe third-party intellectual property.
TradeEthiopia owns all platform software, user interface designs, aggregated trade data, and proprietary matchmaking algorithms.
Notice and Takedown: Verified IP holders may report trademark or patent infringements for immediate investigation and listing removal.
Section 06

Limitation of Liability & Trade Disclaimers

Clear distribution of commercial liabilities between platform infrastructure, buyers, sellers, and third-party logistics providers.

TradeEthiopia operates as a trade facilitation platform and is not a direct merchant, carrier, or customs clearing agency for third-party transactions.
In no event shall TradeEthiopia be liable for indirect, consequential, or operational losses arising from transport delays or customs clearance hold-ups by sovereign port authorities.
Platform liability for technical service outages is strictly capped at the subscription fees paid by the enterprise during the preceding three-month period.
Section 07

Governing Law & Dispute Jurisdiction

Binding dispute escalation, institutional mediation, and legal jurisdiction under Ethiopian Commercial Law.

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and AfCFTA trade protocols.
Any commercial dispute arising out of platform transactions shall first undergo 14-day technical mediation through the TradeEthiopia Trade Governance Desk.
Unresolved claims shall be submitted to binding arbitration before the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (AACCSA) Arbitration Center.
Section 08

Modifications & Service Termination

Policy versioning, notice periods for material changes, and account termination procedures.

TradeEthiopia reserves the right to update these terms to reflect changes in trade legislation, technology, or platform functionality.
Active members will receive notification of material revisions at least 15 calendar days prior to effective enforcement.
Continued platform utilization following published revisions constitutes full acceptance of the amended terms.

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