Last updated: August 31, 2026
Chicago Traders sells bulk agricultural commodities for export. Because rice is milled, packed and shipped against each buyer's own specification, and because its condition depends on storage and handling after delivery, our returns terms differ from consumer retail terms. Please read this policy before confirming an order.
In short: confirmed export orders cannot be cancelled once production or loading has started, and goods are not returnable. What we do accept are properly documented claims for quality, weight or shortage, raised within the timeframes below and supported by independent evidence.
- All export sales are final
Orders are produced to order and shipped internationally. We do not accept returns or exchanges, and we do not offer refunds for change of mind, for a fall in the market price after the contract date, for the buyer's failure to obtain an import permit, or for any reason unrelated to the condition or specification of the goods delivered.
- Cancellation
An order may be cancelled without charge only before it has been confirmed. Once a contract or proforma invoice is signed and the payment instrument is established, the order is binding.
If you cancel after confirmation but before milling begins, we may at our discretion accept cancellation against payment of documented costs already incurred, including booking, procurement and administrative costs. If you cancel after milling or packing has begun, or after loading, the full contract value remains payable.
- Quality and weight claims
We will consider a claim where the goods delivered do not conform to the contract specification. A claim is valid only if all of the following are met:
- Written notice is given to us within 15 calendar days of the date of arrival at the destination port, or within 7 calendar days of discharge where the goods are perishable-sensitive or the contract states a shorter period.
- The claim is supported by a report from an internationally recognised independent surveyor — SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas or an equivalent agreed by both parties — sampling in accordance with recognised international sampling standards.
- Sampling is carried out before the goods are unpacked, blended, reprocessed, repacked or sold on.
- Photographic evidence of the container, the seal, the seal number and the goods as discharged is provided.
- The disputed goods are held available for joint inspection and are not disposed of before the claim is resolved.
Claims that do not meet these conditions cannot be assessed and will be declined.
- Tolerances
Agricultural commodities are traded to tolerances, not to absolutes. Unless the contract states otherwise, the following are not treated as non-conformity:
- Weight variance within the franchise stated in the contract, normally plus or minus 2 percent
- Variation in broken percentage, moisture or grade within the tolerance stated in the contract
- Natural variation in colour, aroma, kernel length and cooking behaviour between crop years and lots
- Settling, compaction or minor bag scuffing in transit
- What is not covered
We are not responsible for, and will not refund against:
- Deterioration caused by storage or handling after risk has passed to you under the Incoterm, including moisture ingress, infestation and mould arising from destination warehousing
- Damage or loss in transit where risk had passed to you and the remedy lies with the carrier or the cargo insurer
- Delay in arrival, port congestion, customs holds, or demurrage and detention charges
- Rejection at destination caused by an import restriction, permit failure, labelling requirement or certification requirement that was not communicated to us in writing before the contract was signed
- Goods that have been unpacked, blended, milled again, repacked or resold before inspection
- Loss of profit, loss of onward contracts, or any indirect or consequential loss
- Remedies
Where a claim is accepted, we will settle it by one of the following, at our election and in consultation with you: a price allowance against the affected quantity, a replacement quantity on the next available shipment, or a refund limited to the invoice value of the affected quantity. Our total liability for any shipment shall not exceed the invoice value of that shipment.
Accepted refunds are paid to the originating account within 15 business days of settlement being agreed in writing. Bank charges and any currency movement between payment and refund are for the buyer's account.
- Payment disputes and chargebacks
Export sales settled by letter of credit, telegraphic transfer or documentary collection are commercial transactions between businesses and are not subject to consumer chargeback rights. Where any part of a payment is made by card, you agree to raise any dispute with us directly and to allow us a reasonable opportunity to resolve it before contacting your bank or card issuer.
We retain the full contract file for every order — signed contract, proforma invoice, independent survey report, seal records, loading photographs, shipping documents and all correspondence — and will present that record in full in response to any dispute.
- Governing law
This policy is governed by the laws of the State of Arkansas, United States, without regard to conflict of law rules. Disputes not settled by negotiation shall be referred to arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, seated in Arkansas, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.
Contact
Questions about this policy can be sent to:
Chicago Traders 952 Tabacco Ln, Suite 456, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712, United States Email: muhammad.control.w@gmail.com Phone: +1 (307) 302-9682 Web: chicagotraders.us
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