Return & Claims Policy

1. B2B Wholesale Exclusions

As MLD Agrotech Private Limited operates exclusively as a wholesale supplier of bulk agricultural commodities (fresh potatoes, whole spices, pulses, and grains), standard retail returns, change-of-mind refunds, or consumer-oriented exchanges do not apply.

Once ocean container loading, custom sealing, and export customs clearance are completed at the load port, shipments cannot be cancelled, recalled, or returned. Agricultural products are subject to strict plant quarantine laws, import licensing rules, and sanitary/phytosanitary border controls, making physical returns of loaded cargo logistically impractical and legally restricted.

2. Load Port Inspections

To safeguard quality and verify weight before ship departure, all our B2B cargo shipments are inspected at the port of loading (e.g. Kolkata, Haldia, Mundra port, India):

• Inspections are carried out by internationally recognized surveyor bodies (such as SGS, Bureau Veritas) or NABL-accredited laboratory technicians.
• The inspection certificate verifies compliance with contracted specifications, including moisture percentage, sizing/caliber, sorting grade, foreign matter limits, and packing quality.
• The findings documented in these loading certificates represent absolute proof of crop condition and volume at the time of export dispatch.

3. Claims for Shipping Damage & Quality Discrepancies

We acknowledge that quality variations or shipping hazards can arise during transit. In such cases, the buyer must follow our formal claims process:

• Claim Filing Window: Any claim regarding weight shortages, parameter deviations, or container seal damage must be submitted in writing to our trade desk within 7 calendar days from the date of cargo arrival (discharge) at the destination port. Claims filed after this period will not be accepted.
• Required Evidence: To validate a claim, the buyer must provide:
  1. High-resolution photographs and videos of the container showing the seal number intact, container opening, and bag damages.
  2. A joint survey report compiled at the discharge port by an independent surveyor (e.g., SGS, Bureau Veritas, or a certified national surveyor).
  3. Official weight bridge slip showing actual tonnage vs invoice tonnage (for weight claims).

4. Transit Spoiled Cargo & Insurance Claims

For CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) shipments, MLD Agrotech purchases marine cargo insurance coverage. If cargo is damaged due to ocean vessel water ingress, container cooling failure (for reefer containers), or vessel accidents during sea transit:

The buyer must immediately file a damage statement with the shipping line/carrier and notify the insurance agent listed on the marine insurance policy. We will assist the buyer in compiling documentation, but final compensation is settled directly by the underwriting insurance provider. For FOB (Free on Board) or CFR (Cost and Freight) shipments, arranging transit insurance and claiming transit losses is the sole responsibility of the buyer.

5. Dispute Resolutions & Compensation

If a quality discrepancy or weight deviation is verified and accepted by MLD Agrotech after analyzing the independent surveyor reports:

• We do not request physical return shipping of cargo due to bio-security clearance rules at ports.
• Compensation is resolved through mutual commercial negotiation, offering:
  1. A proportional credit note applied to the buyer's next order.
  2. A direct price adjustment discount on the current invoice.
  3. Replacement cargo shipped in the subsequent order at no extra charge.