Shipping Policy

This Shipping Policy explains how Halston Tire Guard ships its machines and sealant, the delivery terms we offer, and the responsibilities of each party. It should be read together with our Terms of Service. By placing an order you accept this policy and the terms stated on your proforma invoice or order confirmation.

1. Overview

Our products are manufactured at our production centre in Dongguan, China and shipped worldwide — primarily by sea freight, with air or courier for smaller items where appropriate. We quote using internationally recognised Incoterms® 2020 rules, most commonly FCA, FOB or DDP. Every quotation states which term applies, the named place or port, and exactly what is included.

2. The shipping terms we offer

FCA — Free Carrier (named place). We prepare the goods, complete export clearance, and hand them to the carrier you nominate at the agreed point. From that handover, all onward cost and risk are yours — main freight, insurance, import clearance, duties and taxes, and final delivery. Best suited to buyers who use their own freight forwarder.

FOB — Free On Board (named port of loading, sea freight only). We deliver the goods, cleared for export, on board the vessel at the Chinese port of loading. Once the goods are on board, cost and risk pass to you: sea freight, marine insurance, import duties and taxes, destination charges and delivery.

DDP — Delivered Duty Paid (your address). Our fullest service. We arrange and pay for export, international freight, cargo insurance, import customs clearance, duties and taxes (including VAT), and delivery to your named address — all itemised on your proforma invoice. You are responsible only for unloading on arrival and for providing accurate delivery and customs information. Because each DDP quotation is tailored to your destination's freight, duties and customs requirements, we prepare it on request once you are ready to proceed with your order. For exploring your options or placing an initial order, we are happy to quote FCA or FOB. DDP availability also depends on the destination country's import rules; where we cannot offer it, we ship FCA or FOB.

3. Pricing

Each quotation shows the Incoterm, named place or port, currency, validity period and what is included. FCA and FOB prices are ex-China and exclude freight, insurance, duties and taxes unless stated. A DDP price is a tailored landed-cost quotation we prepare on request once you are ready to proceed with your order; it itemises freight, insurance, duties and VAT at the time of quoting — and if a destination's tariffs, taxes or import regulations change between the quotation and customs clearance, the difference may be passed on. Payment is by bank transfer (T/T), with the split scaled to order value — 100% in advance for orders under $20,000 USD, 50% / 50% from $20,001 to $50,000, and 30% / 70% over $50,000 — as set out on your proforma invoice. The balance is always due before the goods ship from the factory, once they are built and ready for dispatch.

4. Production & transit times

Production lead time is quoted per order and is separate from shipping time. Any transit time we give is an estimate, not a guarantee — sea-freight duration varies by route, carrier, season and destination.

5. What we can and cannot control

We control the quality of the goods, correct packing, export documentation and timely handover to the carrier. Once a shipment leaves our manufacturing centre, it passes into the hands of carriers, ports and government authorities, and is outside our control. We are not responsible for delays, costs or losses caused by, among other things:

• vessel and sailing schedules, rollovers, blank sailings and transshipment delays;
• port congestion, strikes, container or equipment shortages;
• customs inspections, holds, document processing or quarantine;
• weather, force majeure, war, sanctions or carrier insolvency;
• changes in destination duties, taxes or import regulations;
• incomplete or incorrect information provided by the buyer.

We will share tracking and give reasonable assistance, but delivery dates are targets, not guarantees, and delays of this kind are not grounds for cancellation, refund or compensation.

6. Insurance & risk

Risk of loss or damage passes to the buyer at the point defined by the agreed Incoterm (see the table above). For FCA and FOB shipments we strongly recommend the buyer arranges marine cargo insurance, as the goods travel at the buyer's risk. Under DDP, cargo insurance to the destination is included as itemised on the proforma invoice.

7. Inspection, damage & claims

Please inspect every shipment on arrival before signing for it. Note any visible damage or shortage on the carrier's delivery documents and photograph it. Report any damage or shortage to us within 7 days of delivery, with photos and the packing list. Claims for transit damage are made against the carrier or insurer according to the applicable Incoterm; we will help with the documentation. Email office@tire-guard.com.

8. Customs, duties & import compliance

Under FCA and FOB, import clearance, duties, taxes and compliance with destination import rules are the buyer's responsibility. Under DDP, we handle import clearance and pay duties and taxes as quoted, but the buyer must provide accurate consignee details and any import licences or registrations required locally. The buyer is responsible for ensuring the products may be legally imported and used in their country.

9. Title & payment

Risk passes per the agreed Incoterm; title to the goods passes on receipt of full payment. Orders ship only once the agreed payment milestones have been met.

10. Force majeure

We are not liable for any failure or delay in delivery caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including those listed in section 5.

11. Contact

Questions about shipping or a specific order: office@tire-guard.com.