Commercial terms

01 Quotations & availability

All quotations issued by Lioka Exporting are subject to product availability, confirmation of the required grade, specification and quantity, and acceptance by both parties.

Prices and availability are confirmed at the time of order. Agricultural commodities are subject to seasonal market conditions, harvest volumes and quality variations.

02 Lead times & harvest dependency

Lead times provided by Lioka Exporting are indicative only and are not guaranteed fixed delivery dates.

The availability and preparation of vanilla and spices depend upon:

• Harvesting seasons and current crop availability
• Curing, drying and natural preparation processes where applicable
• Available quantities of the required grade and specification
• Sorting, grading and quality inspection
• Packaging and export preparation
• Availability of required export documentation
• Freight, vessel and air-cargo schedules
• Customs and regulatory requirements

Where the required product is available from existing export stock, we will provide the earliest practical shipment schedule. Where products are subject to a forthcoming harvest or require additional preparation, the anticipated lead time is confirmed once the relevant crop and quantity are available.

We will keep the buyer informed of any material change affecting the anticipated shipment schedule.

03 Order confirmation

An order is considered confirmed only once:

1. The product, specification, quantity and price have been agreed;
2. The applicable Incoterm and destination have been agreed;
3. Payment arrangements have been accepted by both parties; and
4. Lioka Exporting has issued written order confirmation or a proforma invoice.

04 Payment terms

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is made by international bank transfer (T/T) in British Pounds Sterling to the account specified on the Lioka Exporting proforma invoice.

Our standard term is a 50% deposit payable with order, with the balance payable against shipping documents prior to release of the original documents.

For established customers with an agreed trading history, alternative payment arrangements may be considered at our discretion and must be agreed in writing before the order is accepted.

05 Currency & bank charges

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all payments are made in GBP. The buyer is responsible for ensuring the full invoiced amount is received by Lioka Exporting.

Any bank charges, intermediary-bank charges, currency conversion charges or transfer fees incurred in connection with the buyer's payment are borne by the buyer.

06 Shipment & Incoterms

The applicable Incoterm is stated on the quotation and proforma invoice and forms part of the agreed commercial terms.

Where FOB is agreed, shipment is made in accordance with the applicable Incoterms® 2020 rule. Under FOB, the seller delivers the goods loaded on board the vessel at the agreed port of shipment, and the buyer is responsible for the main carriage and import formalities.

DAP delivered terms are also available. Under DAP, Lioka arranges and pays for carriage to the Buyer's nominated address, and the Buyer is responsible for import clearance and any duties or taxes. The agreed basis is stated on the quotation and proforma invoice.

07 Specifications & natural variation

Vanilla and spices are natural agricultural products and may vary in colour, size, appearance, moisture, aroma, texture and other characteristics between harvests and batches.

The agreed product specification, grade, quantity and any applicable quality tolerances are stated on the quotation, proforma invoice or sales contract.

Where applicable, certificates of analysis, phytosanitary documentation, certificate of origin and other export documentation may be supplied subject to product and destination requirements.

08 Samples & approval

Where samples are requested, the sample represents the agreed product specification as closely as reasonably possible.

Samples are provided free of charge, typically 50–100 g per grade for vanilla and 250–500 g per grade for coffee, cocoa, pepper and cloves. The buyer is responsible for courier shipping costs. Where the buyer proceeds to a full order of the sampled product within a reasonable period, the courier cost paid by the buyer is credited against that order. Samples are ordinarily dispatched within 5 to 7 working days of a request being confirmed.

Approval of a sample does not remove the natural characteristics and reasonable batch-to-batch variations associated with agricultural products, and a sample does not constitute a binding specification for any subsequent order.

09 Force majeure

Lioka Exporting is not liable for delays or inability to supply arising from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including adverse weather, cyclones, flooding, drought, crop failure, harvest delays, disease affecting crops, shortages of raw materials, transport disruption, port congestion, government restrictions, export restrictions, customs delays or other circumstances affecting agricultural supply or international transportation.

Where such circumstances occur, we will use reasonable efforts to notify the buyer and provide an updated estimated shipment schedule.

10 Claims

Any claim relating to quantity, visible damage or apparent non-conformity must be notified to Lioka Exporting in writing within the agreed period following receipt of the goods, supported by appropriate documentary or photographic evidence.

Claims relating to natural agricultural variation are assessed against the agreed product specification and tolerances.

11 Documentation

Export documentation is supplied according to the requirements of the agreed transaction and destination country. Where applicable this may include:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Certificate of origin
• Phytosanitary certificate
• Certificate of analysis
• Transport documentation
• Other certificates specifically agreed prior to order confirmation

12 Final commercial agreement

The specific product, grade, quantity, price, currency, packaging, Incoterm, destination, payment schedule and anticipated shipment timeframe are confirmed for each order in the applicable quotation, proforma invoice or sales contract.

In the event of any inconsistency, the terms specifically agreed in the signed sales contract or accepted proforma invoice prevail.