Term & Conditions

Effective date: [19 September 2025]

Website: www.zamfarm2market.com (“Site”)

Platform name: Zambia Farm To Market (“ZFTM”, “we”, “us”, “our”)

Contact: [support@zamfarm2market.com] · [Registered office: …, Lusaka, Zambia]

1) Acceptance of Terms

By visiting the Site, creating an account, or transacting on the marketplace, you agree to these Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) and all policies referenced here (Privacy Policy, Seller Standards, Transport Policy, Fees & Payouts, and Prohibited Items List). If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

2) About the Platform

ZFTM is a digital marketplace facilitator connecting buyers with independent vendors (farmers, aggregators, transporters, input suppliers). ZFTM is not the seller of record (except where expressly stated) and does not take title of goods. Contracts of sale and carriage are between the relevant users.

3) Eligibility & Account Registration

You must be at least 18 years old and have legal capacity to contract. Create only one account per person or legal entity. You agree to provide accurate information and keep it updated. We may require KYC verification (e.g., NRC/ID, PACRA documents, farm location, vehicle papers).

4) Roles

  • Buyer: purchases goods or services.

  • Farmer (Seller): lists produce harvested or owned.

  • Aggregator (Seller): consolidates and resells compliant lots.

  • Transporter: offers carriage services; must hold applicable licences and insurance.

  • Input Supplier (Seller): offers seeds, fertiliser, tools and services.

    ZFTM may approve, suspend, or terminate roles at our discretion for policy or legal breaches.

5) Listings & Product Standards

Sellers are responsible for: (a) truthful descriptions (variety, grade, moisture %, packaging unit, harvest date, quantity, pickup location), (b) lawful and compliant goods, (c) correct pricing and taxes. Perishables must be fresh, safe, and correctly stored/handled. Misrepresentation, off-platform inducement, or counterfeit/illegal goods are prohibited.

6) Prohibited or Restricted Items

No illegal wildlife or bushmeat, stolen goods, hazardous chemicals/pesticides not approved for Zambia, controlled drugs, firearms or ammunition, fake or counterfeit items, or any item whose sale is banned or requires permits without holding those permits. ZFTM may remove listings that risk consumer safety or breach law.

7) Orders, Delivery & Acceptance

An order is accepted when the seller confirms and payment authorisation is successful. Delivery or pickup terms (Incoterms-style where applicable) are shown at checkout. Buyers must inspect on delivery and raise a dispute within 48 hours (or within the specified window for perishables). Absent a timely dispute, the order is deemed accepted.

8) Transport & Risk

Transport may be (i) arranged by seller, (ii) arranged by buyer, or (iii) booked from a Transporter via the Platform. Risk and title pass as stated in the listing/checkout terms. Transporters warrant they are duly licensed, insured, and will comply with road safety and carriage laws. ZFTM is not a carrier and is not responsible for the carriage of goods.

9) Prices, Fees & Taxes

Prices are set by sellers. ZFTM charges subscription fees and/or per-transaction commissions as published on the Fees & Payouts page. Taxes (e.g., VAT, withholding where applicable) are the responsibility of each party under Zambian tax laws. Sellers must issue valid tax invoices when required and maintain records.

10) Payments, Escrow-Style Holding & Payouts

Payments are processed by third-party gateways (including mobile money). Funds for marketplace transactions may be held in a wallet/escrow-style account and released to the seller/transporters after delivery acceptance or expiry of the dispute window. Chargebacks, reversals, or fraud investigations may delay or reduce payouts. Users authorise ZFTM to deduct platform fees, adjustments, or refunds.

11) Refunds, Returns & Disputes

Because many goods are perishable, refunds/returns are limited to cases of non-delivery, material misdescription, contamination, or significant quality/weight variance verified by evidence (photos, weighbridge slips, inspection notes). Buyers must submit claims via My Account → Orders → Open Dispute within the deadline. We may request further evidence and may decide to: (a) refund the buyer (full/partial), (b) pay the seller, or (c) split amounts.

12) Vendor Standards & Audits

Sellers agree to:

  • comply with quality and grading norms, packaging and weights/measures, and applicable standards;

  • maintain records of origin, harvest dates, and inputs;

  • cooperate with reasonable audits or requests for proof;

  • not engage in price-fixing, bid-rigging, or unfair trade practices.

13) Compliance with Zambian Law

Users must comply with all applicable Zambian laws and standards, including consumer protection, electronic transactions, data protection, cyber security, and arbitration frameworks referenced below. These acts regulate consumer rights, e-commerce formalities (including e-signatures), personal-data processing, and cyber offences, and provide for arbitration/alternative dispute resolution under Zambian law. 

14) Anti-Money Laundering & Sanctions

You will not use the Platform for any unlawful purpose, including money-laundering, terrorist financing, or sanctions evasion. We may conduct checks, place holds, or report suspicious activity to competent authorities.

15) User Content, Licences & Reviews

You grant ZFTM a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, display, and distribute your listings, store names, logos, and reviews to operate the Platform. You warrant you own or have rights to all content you upload. Reviews must be truthful and not defamatory or abusive; we may remove content that violates law or policy.

16) Data Protection & Privacy

We collect and process personal data to run the Platform (account creation, KYC, orders, payments, support). We will process data lawfully, fairly, and securely, respect data-subject rights, and implement appropriate safeguards consistent with Zambia’s Data Protection Act, 2021 and related regulations. See our Privacy Policy for details. 

17) Platform Access & Acceptable Use

Do not scrape, attack, overload, circumvent security, misuse API endpoints, or upload malware. Breaches may be referred under Zambia’s Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, 2021 and similar laws. 

18) Intellectual Property

All Platform software, design, and content (excluding user content) are ZFTM’s or our licensors’ IP. You may not copy, modify, or create derivative works without permission. “Zambia Farm To Market” and associated marks are protected; do not use them without written consent.

19) Warranties & Disclaimers

The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” We do not guarantee continuous availability, error-free operation, or that listings will meet buyer expectations. Sellers are solely responsible for the quality, safety, legality, and fitness of their goods/services. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all implied warranties.

20) Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, ZFTM will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages, lost profits, loss of data, or business interruption. Our aggregate liability to any user in connection with the Platform shall not exceed the total fees paid to ZFTM by that user in the 3 months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

21) Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless ZFTM, its directors, staff, and service providers from claims, losses, liabilities, and expenses arising from your breach of these Terms, your misuse of the Platform, or your violation of law or third-party rights.

22) Suspension & Termination

We may suspend or terminate accounts, remove listings, or cancel orders if we suspect fraud, illegal activity, safety issues, non-payment, IP infringement, or policy breaches. On termination, accrued payment obligations and Sections 15–23 survive.

23) Changes to the Platform & Terms

We may modify features, fees, or these Terms. Material changes will be posted on the Site and take effect on the stated date. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

24) Notices

We will provide notices via email, dashboard messages, SMS/WhatsApp (where enabled), or Site postings. You are responsible for keeping contact details current.

25) Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of Zambia. Disputes should first be raised through Support → Disputes within the Platform. If unresolved after 30 days, disputes may be referred to mediation and, failing that, to arbitration seated in Lusaka, Zambia, under the Arbitration Act No. 19 of 2000. The language of proceedings shall be English. Nothing prevents either party seeking urgent injunctive relief in a competent Zambian court. 

26) Miscellaneous

  • Entire Agreement: These Terms plus referenced policies are the entire agreement.

  • Severability: If any provision is invalid, the rest remain enforceable.

  • No Waiver: Failure to enforce is not a waiver.

  • Assignment: You may not assign your rights without consent; we may assign in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

  • Force Majeure: We are not liable for delays/failures caused by events beyond reasonable control (e.g., power or network outages, strikes, extreme weather, government actions).

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