Terms of service

Last updated: 13 October 2026

1. About these terms

These terms apply to inspections, factory audits, container loading supervision and lab testing coordination provided by Clear To Load ("Clear To Load", "we") to the business that books them ("you"). They apply to business customers only, not to consumers. If you and we have signed a separate written agreement, that agreement takes precedence where it differs from these terms.

2. Booking and confirmation

A booking request is not a booking. A booking is made when we confirm in writing the service, factory, date, man-days and price, and you accept by replying to our confirmation email (or, once it is available, in your buyer account). Acceptance means you agree to these terms.

You are responsible for giving us an accurate specification, purchase order and approved-sample references. We inspect against what you send us.

3. Prices and travel

Prices are charged per man-day (or per audit day for factory audits) as published on our pricing page at the time of booking. Travel is charged by the travel band of the factory's city: no travel fee in Band A (Jodhpur), a fixed travel fee in Band B, and actual cost, quoted before booking, in Band C.

Invoices are issued in US dollars. Prices exclude taxes; where Indian GST applies to a service, it is added at the applicable rate.

4. Payment

Payment is due in full before the inspection date, by international bank transfer in US dollars. Bank charges are paid by the sender. Regular clients may agree credit terms with us in writing; in that case invoices are due within 15 days. If an invoice is overdue, we may pause new bookings until it is paid.

5. Cancellation and rescheduling

You can cancel or reschedule free of charge up to 24 hours before the visit, India Standard Time. If you cancel or reschedule later than that, we charge 50% of the fee for the booked man-days, plus any travel cost already incurred.

6. Factory access and readiness

You must arrange for the factory to give the inspector access, goods in the agreed state (for example, fully produced and at least 80% packed for a pre-shipment inspection), and help with handling cartons and samples.

If the inspector cannot carry out the inspection because the goods are not ready or access is refused, the visit is charged in full, including travel. The inspector records what was found and photographs it, and we contact you the same day to agree next steps.

7. Reinspection

If a lot is not cleared, you can book a reinspection after rework. A reinspection costs US$149 per visit, plus travel by band, and is invoiced to the party that books it. Whether you recover that cost from your supplier is a matter for your contract with them.

8. What an inspection covers

Inspections are based on random samples drawn under ISO 2859-1 or the method agreed in your booking. A sample-based inspection gives information about the lot; it does not guarantee that every unit is free of defects. Inspections are visual, dimensional and functional checks; they do not replace laboratory testing, certification or the supplier's own quality control.

9. Reports and verdicts

Every report ends in one of three verdicts:

• Cleared to load: The lot meets your specification and AQL limits. The goods can ship.
• Hold: We found issues you need to decide on before the goods ship.
• Not cleared: The lot fails your specification or AQL limits. Rework and reinspection are needed.

The verdict reflects the condition of the sample on the day of inspection, judged against your specification and AQL limits. The decision to ship, accept or reject goods remains yours. Report delivery time: 24 hours.

10. Confidentiality

We keep your specifications, reports and supplier details confidential and share reports only with you and anyone you authorise. We will not publish any report from your order, even anonymised, without your written consent.

11. Liability

Our total liability for any claim arising from a service is limited to the fee you paid for that service. We are not liable for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, revenue, business or goodwill, or for the cost of goods, freight or duties. Claims must be notified to us in writing within 90 days of the report date.

Nothing in these terms limits liability for fraud, or any other liability that cannot be limited by law.

12. Governing law and disputes

These terms are governed by the laws of India. Any dispute will first be discussed in good faith. If it is not resolved within 30 days, it will be settled by arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, by a sole arbitrator, in English, seated in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Either party may seek urgent interim relief from a competent court.

13. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms. The version in force on the date we confirm your booking applies to that booking.

Questions: see our contact page. How we handle personal data: privacy notice.