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Terms & Conditions

EAC E-Trade Platform - Your trusted marketplace for East African commerce

Last Updated: December 3, 2025 Applicable to all EAC countries
Welcome to the EAC E-Trade Platform

These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the EAC E-Trade Platform, which facilitates cross-border e-commerce within the East African Community (Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda). By using our platform, you agree to these terms.

1

General Terms of Use

1.1 Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the EAC E-Trade Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you may not use our services.

1.2 Platform Purpose

The EAC E-Trade Platform serves as a marketplace connecting:

  • Vendors and MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) from East African countries
  • Buyers looking for authentic African products and services
  • Cross-border trade within the EAC region

1.3 Eligibility

To use our platform, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be a resident or legally operating business in an EAC member state or have legitimate interest in EAC commerce
  • Provide accurate and complete registration information
  • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations

1.4 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.

2

Seller Terms & Obligations

2.1 Seller Registration

To sell on the EAC E-Trade Platform, sellers must:

  • Complete the vendor registration process with accurate business information
  • Provide valid business registration documents where applicable
  • Maintain accurate product listings and inventory
  • Respond to buyer inquiries within 48 hours

2.2 Product Listings

Sellers are solely responsible for the accuracy of their product descriptions, images, and pricing.

All product listings must:

  • Accurately describe the product or service offered
  • Include clear, authentic product images
  • Display correct pricing in supported currencies
  • Not contain prohibited or restricted items
  • Comply with EAC trade regulations and standards

2.3 Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited from sale on our platform:

  • Counterfeit or pirated products
  • Illegal drugs and controlled substances
  • Weapons and ammunition
  • Endangered species products
  • Stolen goods
  • Items violating intellectual property rights

2.4 Seller Fees

Sellers agree to the following fee structure:

Platform is 100% Free! No listing fees, no transaction fees, no subscription costs. We only facilitate connections between buyers and sellers.
3

Buyer Terms & Rights

3.1 Purchasing Process

When making a purchase, buyers agree to:

  • Provide accurate shipping and contact information
  • Pay for items in full before shipment
  • Review product details carefully before purchase
  • Accept responsibility for customs duties where applicable

3.2 Buyer Protection

The EAC E-Trade Platform offers buyer protection including:

Secure Payments

Your payment information is encrypted and secure

Return Policy

14-day return window for eligible items

Support

Dedicated customer support team

3.3 Order Disputes

In case of disputes, buyers should:

  1. First attempt to resolve the issue directly with the seller
  2. If unresolved within 5 business days, open a dispute through the platform
  3. Provide evidence supporting your claim (photos, communication records)
  4. Allow up to 14 days for dispute resolution
4

Payment Terms

4.1 Accepted Payment Methods

Mobile Money
Credit/Debit Cards
Bank Transfer
PayPal

4.2 Currency

Transactions are supported in the following currencies:

  • 🇰🇪 KES - Kenyan Shilling
  • 🇺🇬 UGX - Ugandan Shilling
  • 🇹🇿 TZS - Tanzanian Shilling
  • 🇷🇼 RWF - Rwandan Franc
  • 🇧🇮 BIF - Burundian Franc
  • 🇨🇩 CDF - Congolese Franc
  • 🇸🇴 SOS - Somali Shilling
  • 🇸🇸 SSP - South Sudanese Pound

4.3 Payment Security

All payments are processed through secure, PCI-DSS compliant payment gateways. We never store your complete card details on our servers.

5

Shipping & Delivery

5.1 Delivery Timeframes

Shipping Type Domestic Cross-Border (EAC)
Standard 2-5 business days 5-14 business days
Express 1-2 business days 3-7 business days

5.2 Customs & Duties

For cross-border shipments within the EAC:

  • Products originating from EAC member states may qualify for duty-free treatment under the EAC Common Market Protocol
  • Buyers are responsible for any applicable customs duties and taxes
  • Certain products may require import permits or certificates

5.3 Tracking

All shipments include tracking capabilities. Tracking information is sent via email and SMS upon dispatch.

6

Refund Policy

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase

6.1 Eligibility for Refund

Important Notice: Refunds are ONLY available for transactions within the same country (domestic purchases). Cross-border transactions are subject to different policies.

For same-country purchases only, you are eligible for a full refund if:

  • Item received is significantly different from description
  • Item is damaged or defective upon arrival
  • Item was not delivered within the specified timeframe (plus 7 days grace period)
  • Wrong item was delivered
  • Item is returned unused, in original packaging within 14 days
Cross-Border Purchases: Once an item has left the seller's store for cross-border delivery, the EAC is yet to provide guidance on refund procedures. Please contact our support team for assistance.

6.2 Items NOT Eligible for Refund

  • Perishable goods (food, flowers, etc.)
  • Personalized or custom-made items
  • Intimate or sanitary products
  • Downloaded digital products
  • Items damaged due to buyer misuse
  • Items marked as "Final Sale" or "Non-Returnable"

6.3 Refund Process

1
Request Refund

Submit a refund request through your account within 14 days of delivery

2
Review

Our team reviews your request within 2-3 business days

3
Return Item

Ship the item back to the seller (return shipping may apply)

4
Receive Refund

Refund processed within 5-10 business days to original payment method

6.4 Full Refunds Only

We do not offer partial refunds. Refunds are issued in full when the return meets all eligibility criteria, or no refund is provided if conditions are not met.

6.5 Refund Methods

Refunds are processed to the original payment method. Mobile money refunds typically process faster (1-3 days) than card refunds (5-10 days).
7

Privacy & Data Protection

7.1 Data Collection

We collect and process personal data as necessary to provide our services, including:

  • Account registration information
  • Transaction and order history
  • Communication records with sellers/support
  • Device and usage information

7.2 Data Protection

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal data. Your information is never sold to third parties.

7.3 Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Request correction of inaccurate data
  • Request deletion of your data (subject to legal requirements)
  • Opt-out of marketing communications
8

Limitation of Liability

The EAC E-Trade Platform acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. While we strive to ensure a safe and reliable marketplace:

  • We do not own or possess the products sold on the platform
  • We are not responsible for the quality, safety, or legality of items listed
  • Sellers are independently responsible for their products and business conduct
  • Our liability is limited to the amount of fees paid to us for the transaction in question
9

Contact Us

For questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

Phone

+255 27 216 2190

Address

Afrika Mashariki Road, Arusha, Tanzania

By using our platform, you agree to these terms

These terms were last updated in December 2024

Connecting East Africa's Marketplace

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