Terms & Conditions

1. Definitions & Scope

1.1 Parties

• "HiveAlu," "we," "us," or "our" refers to Shenzhen HiveAlu Technology Co., Ltd., a company registered in the People's Republic of China.
• "Customer," "you," or "your" refers to the business entity or organization purchasing our products or services.
• "Products" refers to pure aluminum welded honeycomb panels, customized panels, and related materials manufactured by HiveAlu.

1.2 Applicability

These Terms apply exclusively to B2B transactions. We do not sell directly to individual consumers. All orders are subject to our acceptance and may be declined at our discretion.

2. Quotations & Orders

2.1 Quotation Validity

All quotations provided by HiveAlu are valid for 30 calendar days from the date of issuance unless otherwise specified. Prices are subject to change based on raw material costs, exchange rates, and production capacity.

2.2 Order Confirmation

A binding contract is formed only upon our written acceptance of your purchase order. We reserve the right to reject orders that do not meet our minimum order quantities (MOQ) or technical specifications.

2.3 Custom Specifications

For custom-engineered products, customers must provide complete technical drawings and material specifications. Any changes to approved specifications after production commencement may incur additional costs and延期交付.

3. Pricing & Payment Terms

3.1 Pricing

• All prices are quoted in USD (United States Dollars) unless otherwise agreed.
• Prices are EXW (Ex Works) Shenzhen, China, unless alternative Incoterms are specified.
• Prices exclude VAT, customs duties, freight, insurance, and other applicable taxes.

3.2 Payment Schedule

Standard payment terms for new customers:

• 30% deposit upon order confirmation
• 70% balance before shipment (upon presentation of pre-shipment inspection report)

Established customers with approved credit terms may negotiate alternative payment schedules subject to credit review.

3.3 Late Payment

Overdue payments will incur interest at a rate of 1.5% per month (18% per annum) or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower. HiveAlu reserves the right to suspend further shipments until all outstanding balances are settled.

4. Manufacturing & Delivery

4.1 Lead Times

Standard production lead time is 3-4 weeks from deposit receipt and final specification approval. Custom projects may require extended timelines, which will be communicated during quotation.

4.2 Force Majeure

HiveAlu shall not be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Natural disasters, pandemics, or government-mandated shutdowns
• Raw material shortages or supplier failures
• Transportation disruptions, port closures, or customs delays
• Labor disputes or utility failures

4.3 Shipping & Risk Transfer

Unless otherwise agreed, risk of loss or damage transfers to the customer upon delivery to the carrier (EXW Incoterms 2020). Customers are responsible for arranging freight forwarding and insurance.

5. Quality Assurance & Inspection

5.1 Quality Standards

All HiveAlu products are manufactured in accordance with:

• ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
• ASTM C365 (Flatwise Compressive Strength)
• ASTM C273 (Shear Strength)
• EN 13501-1: Class A1 (Fire Resistance)

5.2 Pre-Shipment Inspection

Customers may request third-party inspection (e.g., SGS, TÜV) at their own expense. Inspection must be scheduled at least 5 business days before the planned shipment date.

5.3 Tolerance Specifications

• Panel thickness tolerance: ±0.15mm
• Flatness tolerance: ≤0.5mm per meter
• Cell size tolerance: ±5%

6. Warranties & Limitations

6.1 Limited Warranty

HiveAlu warrants that products will:

• Conform to agreed specifications at the time of shipment
• Be free from material defects in workmanship for 12 months from delivery date
• Meet stated mechanical performance criteria under standard testing conditions

6.2 Warranty Exclusions

This warranty does NOT cover:

• Damage caused by improper storage, handling, installation, or use
• Normal wear and tear or cosmetic surface variations
• Modifications or alterations made by the customer
• Exposure to corrosive environments beyond product specifications
• Force majeure events or third-party actions

6.3 Warranty Claims Procedure

Claims must be submitted in writing within 7 days of discovery with photographic evidence and batch/serial numbers. HiveAlu will investigate and, at our sole discretion, either:

• Repair or replace defective products
• Issue a credit note for the affected portion

Warranty claims do not extend delivery schedules or suspend payment obligations for non-affected goods.

6.4 Disclaimer of Consequential Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HIVEALU SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, OR PROJECT DELAYS, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

6.5 Limitation of Liability

HiveAlu's total liability for any claim shall not exceed the purchase price paid for the specific defective products. This limitation applies regardless of the form of action (contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise).

7. Intellectual Property & Confidentiality

7.1 Proprietary Technology

All manufacturing processes, welding techniques, tooling designs, and technical documentation remain the exclusive property of HiveAlu. Customers may not reverse-engineer, replicate, or disclose our proprietary methods.

7.2 Custom Tooling

For custom projects requiring specialized tooling, ownership of tooling remains with HiveAlu unless separately purchased. Tooling fees are non-refundable.

7.3 Confidentiality

Both parties agree to maintain confidentiality of non-public technical data, pricing, and business information disclosed during the relationship. This obligation survives termination of the business relationship for 3 years.

8. Compliance & Certifications

8.1 Regulatory Compliance

HiveAlu products comply with:

• RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
• REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization of Chemicals)
• ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)

8.2 Export Control

Customers are responsible for compliance with all applicable export/import regulations, sanctions, and trade restrictions in their jurisdiction. HiveAlu will provide necessary documentation (e.g., Certificate of Origin, Material Test Reports) upon request.

8.3 Dual-Use Goods

Certain aerospace-grade products may be subject to export controls. Customers must disclose end-use applications and obtain required licenses. HiveAlu reserves the right to refuse orders for unauthorized military or sensitive applications.

9. Returns & Cancellations

9.1 Order Cancellation

Orders may be cancelled only with written consent from HiveAlu. Cancellation fees apply:

• Before production start: 10% restocking fee
• After production start: 50% of order value
• After shipment: No cancellation permitted

9.2 Returns

Non-defective products are not eligible for return. Defective products covered under warranty (Section 6) may be returned only after obtaining a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number.

10. Dispute Resolution

10.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the People's Republic of China, excluding conflict of law principles.

10.2 Arbitration

Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) in Shenzhen, China. The arbitration shall be conducted in English. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction.

10.3 Exceptions

Either party may seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to protect intellectual property rights or enforce confidentiality obligations.

11. General Provisions

11.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any signed quotations or purchase orders, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements.

11.2 Amendments

HiveAlu reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated to active customers. Continued business relationship after notification constitutes acceptance of revised terms.

11.3 Severability

If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

11.4 Waiver

Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision.

11.5 Assignment

Customers may not assign or transfer their rights or obligations without HiveAlu's prior written consent. HiveAlu may assign this agreement to affiliates or successors.

12. Contact Information

For questions regarding these Terms or to submit warranty claims, please contact: