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Terms & Conditions 

1. General Overview

ZipSloth provides international door-to-door logistics services specializing in the shipment of live plants from Thailand to the United States. Our services include export handling, documentation, customs clearance, and final delivery to the recipient’s address through trusted third-party carriers.

By using ZipSloth services, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions in full.

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2. Shipping Schedule

  • Shipments are operated approximately 2–4 times per month
    (Please check the latest shipping schedule on our website. Schedule is subject to change without prior notice.)

  • Customers wishing to join a shipment must check the latest Shipping Schedule available on our website and ensure that their shipment is delivered to ZipSloth no later than 5:00 PM on the designated drop-off date for their selected shipment.​

  • Shipments received after the designated drop-off deadline will automatically be moved to the next available shipment.

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3. Packaging Requirements

  • All plants must be shipped bare-root only (no soil allowed)

  • Roots must be properly cleaned and treated prior to shipment

  • Sphagnum moss is permitted for wrapping roots

  • Customers are responsible for ensuring that all submitted information, including plant lists and shipment details, is complete and accurate.

  • ZipSloth reserves the right to inspect, adjust, or repack shipments as necessary

  • Additional charges may apply for repacking, oversized shipments, special handling, or non-compliant packaging.

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4. Documentation & Compliance

  • ZipSloth handles the preparation of the following export documentation:

    • Phytosanitary Certificate

    • Standard CITES documentation (where applicable)

  • CITES applications requiring nursery registration under applicable regulations are not handled by ZipSloth.

  • Customers are solely responsible for obtaining any nursery registration or government approvals required for such applications.

  • Upon request, ZipSloth may provide a Letter of Authorization allowing the customer to process the required CITES documentation on ZipSloth's behalf under ZipSloth's exporter registration.

  • Customers must provide complete and accurate plant information before shipment.

  • Any delays, additional costs, penalties, or shipment issues resulting from incorrect, imcomplete, or missing information or documentation shall be the sole responsibility of the customer.

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5. Pricing & Charges

  • Rates are quoted as all-inclusive (shipping, duties, taxes, customs clearance) unless otherwise stated

  • Final charges are based on actual weight or volumetric weight (whichever is higher)

  • ZipSloth reserves the right to adjust charges in cases of:

    • Incorrect declared dimensions or weight

    • Oversized shipments

    • Additional handling requirements

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6. Inspection & Customs

  • All shipments are subject to inspection by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

  • In the event that a shipment is randomly selected for inspection and requires fumigation:

    • Fumigation costs will be charged only to the owner of the affected box

    • The fumigation fee is USD 800 (approximately THB 28,000) per box

  • All such costs are the sole responsibility of the customer

  • ZipSloth shall not be held responsible for any inspection outcomes or delays caused by regulatory authorities

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7. Delivery & Third-Party Carriers

  • Final delivery within the United States is handled by third-party carriers (e.g., UPS)

  • Once a shipment has been handed over to the carrier, delivery performance is subject to the carrier's operations. ZipSloth will assist customers in communicating with the carrier and processing any available investigation.

  • Any compensation will be provided only in accordance with ZipSloth's Lost Shipment Compensation Policy.

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8. Live Plants Disclaimer

  • Live plants are perishable and sensitive

  • During transit, plants may experience:

    • Leaf damage or leaf drop

    • Stress or dehydration

    • Root disturbance

  • These conditions are considered normal and do not qualify for any claim or compensation

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9. Claims & Compensation Policy​

  •  ZipSloth does not provide refunds or compensation except as expressly stated in these Terms & Conditions.

  • Eligible compensation for permanently lost shipments will be provided only in accordance with ZipSloth's Lost Shipment Compensation Policy.

  • No compensation is available for delays, plant condition, USDA actions, customs inspections, weather events, or circumstances beyond ZipSloth's reasonable control.

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10. Lost Shipment Compensation

If a shipment is officially confirmed as permanently lost following the carrier's investigation, ZipSloth will provide compensation in accordance with the following terms:

  • Compensation is limited to THB 100 per kilgram, up to a maximum of THB 500 per Air Waybill (AWB)

  • Compensation will be issued as Shipping Credit and may only be used toward a future shipment with ZipSloth.

  • Shipping Credit is non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be redeemed for cash.

  • Compensation is limited to one claim per Air Waybill.

  • Compensation applies only to shipments officially confirmed as permanently lost by the carrier and does not apply to delays, damaged plants, plant stress, customs inspections, USDA actions, weather-related events, or any other circumstances beyond ZipSloth's reasonable control.

  • This compensation represents ZipSloth's maximum liability for lost shipments.

  • Compensation under this policy constitutes the customer's sold and exclusive remedy for any verified lost shipment.

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11. Premium Shipping Upgrade Benefit

Customers who upgrade their shipment to UPS Next Day Air or UPS 2nd Day Air are eligible for an additional benefit.​

If the upgraded shipment is officially confirmed as permanently lost following the carrier's investigation, ZipSloth will provide a Shipping Credit equal to the premium upgrade fee paid by the customer.

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The benefit:

  • Applies regardless of whether the carrier approves or denies its internal claim, provided the shipment is officially confirmed as permanently lost following the carrier's investigation.

  • Is issued as Shipping Credit for use toward a future ZipSloth shipment.

  • Is non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be redeemed for cash.

  • Is provided in addition to the standard Lost Shipment Compensation described above.

  • Covers only the premium upgrade fee and does not include reimbursement for the standard shipping charge, the declared value of plants, or any consequential or indirect losses.

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​12. Acknowledgement of Risk

Customers acknowledge and understand that the international transportation of live plants involves inherent risks beyond ZipSloth's reasonable control.

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By using ZipSloth's services, customers acknowledge and agree that:

  • Live plants are perishable and may experience stress, dehydration, or other changes during transportation.

  • Shipments are subject to customs inspections, USDA regulations, weather conditions, airline operation, and third-party carrier sevices, all of which may affect transit time or shipment outcomes.

  • While ZipSloth will make every reasonable effort to ensure safe handling and timely delivery, successful delivery cannot be guaranteed.

  • ZipSloth will assist customers with carrier investigations whenever applicable. Any compensation shall be provided only in accordance with these Terms & Conditions.

  • By proceeding with the shipment, customers acknowledge these risk and agree that ZipSloth's liability shall be limited to the compensation expressly provided under these Terms & Conditions.

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13. Loss Compensation

(Limited Exception)

Notwithstanding the no-claims policy stated above, in the event of confirmed total loss of shipment, ZipSloth may provide limited compensation under the following conditions:

  • Compensation will be calculated at a rate of THB 100 per kilogram

  • Maximum compensation shall not exceed THB 500 per Air Waybill (AWB)

  • Compensation applies only to verified lost shipments and does not apply to delays or damages

ZipSloth shall not be liable for any compensation under the following circumstances:

  • If the shipment is confiscated, destroyed, or held by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) due to the detection of pests, contamination, or regulatory non-compliance

  • If loss occurs after the shipment has been handed over to third-party carriers

  • If incomplete or incorrect information was provided by the customer

All compensation decisions are made at the sole discretion of ZipSloth.

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14. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, ZipSloth's liability shall be limited to the compensation expressly provided under these Terms & Conditions.

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ZipSloth provides a comprehensive door-to-door logistics service, including export preparation, documentation, customs coordination, USDA inspection procedures, and final delivery through third-party carriers.

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Shipping charges paid to ZipSloth cover the entire logistics process and are not limited solely to third-party carrier transportation charges.

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Any compensation, reimbursement, or claim payment received from third-party carriers (including, but not limited to, UPS) is intended to offset the transportation and operational costs incurred by ZipSloth and shall not constitute compensation payable directly to the customer unless expressly stated in these Terms & Conditions.

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Except as expressly provided under these Terms & Conditions, ZipSloth shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of business opportunities, emotional distress, or the declared value of plants.

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Nothing in these Terms & Conditions shall be interpreted as creating a direct contractual relationship between the customer and any third-party carrier engaged by ZipSloth.

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15. Right to Refuse Service

  • ZipSloth reserves the right to refuse, cancel, or reschedule any shipment at its sole discretion.

  • ZipSloth reserves the right to refuse any shipment that does not comply with applicable laws or these Terms & Conditions.​

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16. Modifications

ZipSloth reserves the right to update or modify these Terms & Conditions at any time without prior notice.

Continued use of the service constitutes acceptance of any changes.

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