Terms & Conditions

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Trade Steel ("we", "us", "our") governing your access to and use of the Trade Steel marketplace platform, websites, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the "Platform"). By registering, accessing, or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

These Terms apply to all users including buyers, sellers, manufacturers, traders, stockists, distributors, contractors, and individuals ("Users" or "you").

2. Eligibility and Account Registration

You must be at least 18 years old and have legal capacity to enter into binding contracts. By registering, you represent and warrant that:

• All information provided during registration is accurate, current, and complete.
• You are authorized to act on behalf of any business entity you represent.
• You will maintain the accuracy of your information and update it promptly.
• You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
• You will notify us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that provide false information or violate these Terms.

3. Verification Program

Trade Steel operates a verification program to build trust in the marketplace. Verified status is granted after review of business registration documents, tax identification, and other credentials we deem necessary. Verification does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee of performance, or assumption of liability by Trade Steel for any user's conduct or product quality.

4. Subscription and Fees

Certain Platform features require payment of subscription fees or transaction fees as described on our Pricing page. By subscribing, you agree to:

• Pay all applicable fees in the currency and manner specified.
• Authorize recurring charges for subscription plans until cancellation.
• Accept that fees are non-refundable except as required by law or explicitly stated.
• Understand that we may modify fees upon 30 days' notice.

All fees exclude applicable taxes, duties, and levies, which are your responsibility.

5. Listings and Product Information

Sellers are solely responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and legality of their listings. By posting a listing, you represent and warrant that:

• You have the legal right to sell the products offered.
• Product descriptions, specifications, certifications, and images are accurate and not misleading.
• Prices and terms are stated clearly, including any minimum order quantities and delivery terms.
• Products comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards in the destination jurisdiction.
• You will honor quotations and orders placed in accordance with your stated terms.

Trade Steel reserves the right to remove listings that violate these Terms or applicable law without prior notice.

6. Transactions and Payments

Trade Steel facilitates connections between buyers and sellers. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, we are not a party to transactions between users. Users are responsible for:

• Negotiating and agreeing to commercial terms, including price, quantity, delivery, and payment terms.
• Executing contracts and purchase orders directly between buyer and seller.
• Arranging and paying for shipping, insurance, customs clearance, and applicable duties.
• Ensuring compliance with import/export regulations, sanctions, and trade controls.

Where Trade Steel provides payment processing or escrow services, additional terms specific to those services will apply.

7. Prohibited Activities

Users may not:

• List or trade counterfeit, stolen, or illegally sourced products.
• Engage in fraud, misrepresentation, or deceptive trade practices.
• Circumvent Platform fees or direct users to off-Platform transactions to avoid fees.
• Use the Platform for money laundering, terrorist financing, or sanctions violations.
• Harass, defame, or discriminate against other users.
• Upload malicious code, interfere with Platform operations, or scrape data without authorization.
• Infringe intellectual property rights of Trade Steel or third parties.
• Create multiple accounts to manipulate ratings, reviews, or search results.

Violation may result in immediate account suspension, termination, and referral to appropriate authorities.

8. Intellectual Property

All Platform content, software, trademarks, logos, and designs are the property of Trade Steel or its licensors and are protected by international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Users retain ownership of content they upload but grant Trade Steel a worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute such content for Platform operation and promotion.

9. Reviews, Ratings, and Feedback

Users may submit reviews and ratings based on actual transactions. You agree that:

• All reviews reflect genuine experiences and are not fabricated or coerced.
• You will not post defamatory, abusive, or discriminatory content.
• Trade Steel may moderate, remove, or display reviews at its discretion.
• Reviews become the property of Trade Steel upon submission.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law:

• Trade Steel provides the Platform on an "as isNaN" and "as-available" basis without warranties of any kind, express or implied.
• We do not guarantee uninterrupted, secure, or error-free Platform operation.
• We are not liable for the quality, safety, legality, or delivery of products traded on the Platform.
• Our total liability for any claim arising from these Terms shall not exceed the total amount paid by you to Trade Steel in the 12 months preceding the claim, or USD 500, whichever is greater.
• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability for certain damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Trade Steel, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the Platform, your listings, your transactions, or your violation of these Terms or applicable law.

12. Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution: Before filing any formal claim, you agree to attempt to resolve disputes informally by contacting us at disputes@tradesteel.com with a detailed description of the issue. We will attempt to resolve the matter within 30 days.

Binding Arbitration: If informal resolution fails, any dispute arising from these Terms shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in accordance with its Arbitration Rules. The seat of arbitration shall be Singapore, and the language shall be English. The arbitral award shall be final and binding.

Class Action Waiver: To the extent permitted by law, you agree that disputes will be resolved only on an individual basis and not as a class, consolidated, or representative action.

Exceptions: Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent irreparable harm.

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Singapore, without regard to its conflict of law principles. For users within the European Economic Area, mandatory provisions of consumer protection law in your country of residence shall apply where they provide greater protection. For matters not subject to arbitration, the courts of Singapore shall have exclusive jurisdiction, except where local law mandates otherwise.

14. Termination

You may terminate your account at any time through your account settings. We may suspend or terminate your account immediately and without notice for violation of these Terms, fraudulent activity, legal requirements, or operational needs. Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Platform ceases immediately.
• Active listings may be removed.
• Pending transactions should be completed or cancelled according to their terms.
• Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive.

15. Force Majeure

Trade Steel shall not be liable for failure or delay in performance resulting from acts beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, embargoes, acts of civil or military authorities, fire, floods, accidents, strikes, pandemics, or shortages of transportation, facilities, fuel, energy, labor, or materials.

16. Sanctions and Export Controls

Users may not use the Platform to conduct business with individuals or entities subject to international sanctions or located in sanctioned jurisdictions. You are responsible for compliance with all applicable export control, customs, and trade regulations.

17. Modifications to Terms

We may revise these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or Platform notice at least 30 days before taking effect. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must discontinue use.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, or if not possible, severed from these Terms. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

19. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, contact:

• Email: legal@tradesteel.com
• Address: Trade Steel Global Headquarters, [Business Address Placeholder]