General Terms and Condition of use
Last updated
Last updated
Effective Date: 25th February 2025
Importa is the trading name of Importa General Merchant Limited, registered under the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (with registration number: RC 8219776). Importa facilitates the purchase and importation of goods from China, the United Kingdom, and North America to African countries. These Terms of Use (“the Terms”) govern your access and use of , , and services (collectively, the “Platform”). The Terms constitute a legal agreement between you (the “user,” “you” or “your'”) and Importa (“we,” “our,” or “us”). By using the Platform, you agree that:
You have read, understood, and are legally capable of entering into a legal agreement.
You shall comply with and be bound by these Terms of Use.
“Buyer” refers to a User who has placed an order for products from a Supplier on the Platform.
“Logistics Partner” refers to third-party shipping and delivery service providers responsible for transporting orders on behalf of Importa.
“Services” include intermediary services between Buyers and suppliers of foreign products.
“Supplier” refers to manufacturers, vendors, or wholesalers in China providing products through Importa.
“User” means any individual or entity using the Platform, including registered customers and website visitors.
“Virtual Account” refers to the Buyer’s account which the Buyer uses for making payment for orders.
2.1. Our Services help Buyers connect with suppliers to purchase goods and products through the Platform. Specifically, our Services are:
Importation: We source and facilitate the importation of varieties of goods manufactured in China.
Connecting Suppliers and Buyers: Our Platform connects Buyers and our partner-suppliers in China to enable Buyers access varieties of products that suit their needs.
2.2. Users understand that Importa does not provide financial or business advice. Users should seek professional advice before making financial or business decisions on the Platform.
To use the Platform, you must:
Be at least 18 years old (or the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction).
Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement.
Importa reserves the right to verify your identity and request additional documentation before granting full access to the Platform.
To access and continue using the Platform, you agree that:
As a Supplier, you must provide accurate and up-to-date information about your entity.
As a Buyer, you must conduct your due diligence before making purchasing decisions.
You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials.
You must use the Platform in accordance with the Terms.
4.3.1. To use the Platform, you must create a Virtual Account, which will enable you to place orders, make payment, and track shipments. You need an active WhatsApp number to use the Platform.
4.3.2. Click the “Get Started” link on our website to our merchandise Platform. Begin with “Hi” and follow the instructions to create a Virtual Account. We require you to provide your personal details such as means of identification, contact information, and bank verification to create the account.
4.3.3. By creating an account, you agree that you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
You agree to use the Platform for lawful purposes only, and in your use of the Platform, you shall not do any of the following:
Breach, compromise, or circumvent any of the Services or otherwise attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Services.
Remove, alter, or obscure any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property or proprietary notices contained in the Services.
Distribute, rent, sublicense, lease, lend, sell, resell, assign, transfer, transmit, stream, broadcast, or otherwise make available or exploit any features or functionality of the Services.
Importa has the right to enforce appropriate measures against you if you engage in any of the Prohibited Activities (Clause 4.4), which may include the following:
Reporting you to the relevant law enforcement agency or other authorities.
Suspending or terminating your access to the Platform.
Demanding you to pay a determined amount to us, where your actions or inaction result in the imposition of economic costs to us, including without limitation, the amount of taxes or penalties that might be imposed on us.
Refusing to provide our Services to you now and in the future.
Users understand that:
To place an order, you are required to initiate a transaction using the mobile Platform where you can search for desired products, confirm orders, and pay the amount due using your Virtual Account.
You can use the prompts on the Platform to view, search, order, confirm, pay, and track your orders.
Orders become complete only after Importa has confirmed receipt of full payment.
Shipping and delivery fees are calculated separately from product costs and must be paid by the user.
User acknowledges and accepts that:
All products’ prices are subject to foreign exchange rates which may be affected by market fluctuations.
Products’ prices listed on the Platform and their final prices upon delivery may vary due to customs duties, taxes, and logistic fees.
5.3.1. We accept payments through a secure online payment gateway which is accessible via the Platform.
5.3.2. You are required to make payment using your Virtual Account. Importa shall not be liable for any payment you make through any other means.
5.3.3. Financial details such as Bank Verification Number (BVN) are handled by our financial partners and are not stored by Importa.
Estimated delivery timelines typically range from 3 to 40 business days. Users must note that the delivery days vary based on the nature of goods and the manufacturer.
Importa is not liable for delays caused by customs clearance, shipping disruptions, or force majeure.
Users are responsible for all applicable customs duties and import taxes imposed by local authorities.
Importa will assist in documentation where necessary but is not obliged to assist under any circumstances. Users must understand that customs regulations vary by country.
The Buyer understands that Importa does not hold funds in trust for the Buyer, and that the Buyer makes payment for products to the Supplier. Therefore, Importa operates a strict no-refund policy, and Importa will not issue any refunds to the Buyer once payment is made.
7.2.1. Buyers may request an exchange for a purchased product under the following conditions:
The Buyer received a wrong product or a product that is noticeably different from the Buyer’s order, due to Importa’s error;
Product is of inferior quality and does not meet the industry standard; or
Product was damaged during Importa’s handling or supplier shipment.
Importa shall only exchange for a product if the Buyer:
requests the exchange within three (3) days of receiving the product;
proves the damage by submitting evidence by photos or videos to Importa; and
has not used the product or damaged the original packaging.
7.2.2. Products do not qualify for exchange under the following conditions or circumstances:
Damage caused to products by the Buyer.
Minor variations in product design or colour.
Customer’s change of mind after purchase without a just cause such as significant variation, substandard quality, or damage of the product.
7.3.2. Importa will access the Buyer’s request and if found to be valid, provide return instructions to the Buyer.
7.3.3. Upon receiving the product, Importa will process an exchange within thirty (30) days of receiving the product subject to its availability.
“Importa” and all other URLs, logos, and trademarks related to the Services belong to Importa. You agree that you shall not copy, imitate, or use them without our prior written consent. In addition, you shall not use them in a manner that is disparaging to us or our Services, or display them in any manner that implies our sponsorship or endorsement. Every right, title, and interest in the Importa website and any content on it, the Services, the technology related to the Services, and any technology and content created or derived from them is the exclusive property of Importa and its licensors.
IMPORTA DOES NOT GUARANTEE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS SUPPLIED BY MANUFACTURERS OR SUPPLIERS OR THE TIMEFRAME OF THEIR DELIVERY.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IMPORTA, ITS AFFILIATES, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, PARTNERS, OR SUPPLIERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, LOSS, DAMAGE, INJURY, DELAY, INTERRUPTION, OR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SUCH AS LOSS OF FUNDS, LOSS OF DATA, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LEGAL FEES, OR OTHER EXPENSES ARISING FROM:
YOUR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE IMPORTA'S SERVICES;
ANY DECISION OR ACTION TAKEN BY IMPORTA AFFECTING YOUR RIGHTS, WHETHER DUE TO NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE;
ANY STATEMENTS, OFFERS, OR REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY THIRD PARTIES ABOUT IMPORTA OR ITS SERVICES;
VIRUSES, MALWARE, OR OTHER HARMFUL CODE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE PLATFORM;
THE CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY USING THE SERVICE; AND
ANY TRANSACTIONS CONDUCTED THROUGH THE PLATFORM.
IMPORTA IS NOT LIABLE FOR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS, SHIPPING DELAYS, OR CUSTOMS-RELATED ISSUES, AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL IMPORTA OR ITS AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIMS OR DAMAGES RELATING TO ANY AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR ANY ORDERS.
THE USER UNDERSTANDS THAT IMPORTA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES TO PRODUCTS AFTER DELIVERY.
You agree to indemnify and hold Importa and its affiliates harmless from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from your use of the Platform.
Importa acts only as an intermediary between Buyers and suppliers and does not manufacture any products. Products’ warranties depend entirely on the Supplier’s policy, and Importa does not offer direct warranties on the products.
11.1. We reserve the right, at our discretion and without liability to you, with or without prior notice, or with or without your consent, to temporarily terminate or permanently terminate your access to all parts or any part of the Services.
12.2. In case you violate any provisions of the Terms, we reserve the right to remedy such violations, including without limitation, the right to restrict, suspend, or terminate your access to the Platform without notice; and whenever the need to cooperate with the relevant law enforcement agency regarding enquiries or need to comply with law arises, we shall be entitled to disclose information including your user identity and personal details.
11.3. You may terminate this Agreement at any time and without notice to Importa by deleting your account. If there is any pending investigation against you at the time of termination, we may hold the termination until the conclusion of such investigation.
Importa may amend these Terms from time to time. You should visit the website regularly to check when the Terms was last updated (as displayed at the top of this page) to review the current Terms. We may notify you of any amendments to the Terms that we consider likely to materially affect your rights and obligations. Such a notice may be posted on our website or sent to you by email. Your continued use of the Services after any amendment to the Terms constitutes your acceptance of the Terms, as modified by such amendment.
13.1. Any dispute arising from your use of the Platform shall first be resolved through good-faith negotiations between you and Importa.
13.2. If we fail to reach a resolution within 30 days of good-faith negotiations, the dispute shall be referred to mediation.
13.3. If mediation fails or there is a failure to agree on a mediator within another 14 days after the initial 14 days, the dispute shall be referred to the Lagos Multi-Door Court House (LMDC) for resolution. The proceedings shall be conducted in English Language and the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall apply. Online dispute resolution mechanisms may be adopted for the parties.
These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and you irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in that State or location.
7.3.1. When a Buyer discovers the receipt of a damaged or wrong product, the Buyer may file a request for exchange to our customer service via email: or call our careline, providing the details and proof of damage (where applicable).
By using the Platform, you consent to the collection, use, storage, transfer, and disposal of your information as described in our , which includes any information you choose to provide that is deemed sensitive under applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, you agree to the Privacy Notice and consent to the processing of any personal data described in the Notice and you warrant that all data that you provide to us is accurate.
If you have any issues or questions in relation to these Terms, your rights and obligations arising from them, or your use of the Site and Service, your account, or any other issue, please contact .
