Shipping Policy

Effective Date: September 2, 2026 | Version 2.6

Thank you for choosing AFSBio Inc. for your research needs. Because our catalog consists of highly specialized life sciences reagents, biological materials, diagnostic products, and laboratory supplies, our shipping and delivery procedures are subject to regulatory requirements, manufacturer handling restrictions, carrier limitations, customs regulations, and cold-chain logistics requirements.

This Shipping Policy forms part of and is incorporated into our Terms of Service and Terms of Sale. In the event of any conflict, the Terms of Service and Terms of Sale shall control.

By placing an order, you agree to the following terms.

1. Commercial Delivery Requirement (Strict Policy)

AFSBio Inc. ships exclusively to verified commercial, institutional, governmental, healthcare, or research facilities.

Examples include:

• Universities and colleges
• Research laboratories
• Biotechnology companies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Government research institutions
• Other legitimate commercial research facilities

No Residential Shipping

We do not ship to:

• Residential addresses
• Home-based businesses
• Mail forwarding services
• Virtual offices
• P.O. Boxes

Address Verification

Commercial status may be verified using one or more of the following:

• Institutional or corporate email domain
• Business registration or tax identification records
• Institutional affiliation
• Prior order history
• Direct confirmation from the receiving facility
• Any other documentation reasonably requested by AFSBio Inc.

If we cannot verify the shipping address, we may request additional information before processing the order.

Cancellation & Processing Fee

If an order is placed using an ineligible shipping address and the address cannot be corrected before processing begins, the order may be cancelled and refunded less a processing and administrative fee of 5% of the order value.

This fee reflects non-refundable payment processing charges, foreign exchange conversion costs, banking fees, and administrative expenses incurred by AFSBio Inc. in connection with the transaction and cancellation.

Because payment processors and financial institutions may not refund certain transaction fees or currency conversion costs when a payment is reversed, such costs remain the responsibility of the purchaser.

If AFSBio Inc. fails to identify the address issue before shipment, no such fee will be applied.

2. Processing & Lead Times

Order Fulfillment

AFSBio Inc. operates primarily as a distributor and reseller. Products may be shipped directly from manufacturers, authorized fulfillment partners, distributors, or specialized cold-chain facilities.

Processing times vary based on:

• Product type
• Supplier inventory
• Regulatory requirements
• Destination country
• Carrier availability

Estimated lead times shown on product pages or quotes are estimates only.

Delivery Estimates

Any delivery date, transit estimate, or arrival window is provided for planning purposes only.

Time is not of the essence.

Unless expressly agreed in writing, delivery dates are estimates only and are not guaranteed.

AFSBio Inc. shall not be liable for losses, expenses, delays, project interruptions, research impacts, grant deadlines, laboratory scheduling issues, or other consequences arising from estimated delivery dates not being achieved.

Shipping Notifications

Split Shipments

Products ordered from multiple suppliers may be shipped separately and may arrive on different dates.

Separate tracking numbers may be issued.

Address Changes

Once an order has entered supplier processing, production, fulfillment, or shipment preparation, shipping addresses generally cannot be changed.

Any requested address modification is subject to supplier approval and may result in additional costs, delays, or cancellation.

3. Shipping Rates & Cold Chain Handling

Shipping Charges

Shipping costs are calculated based on:

• Destination
• Carrier rates
• Package dimensions
• Product classification
• Dangerous goods fees
• Dry ice charges
• Hazardous materials requirements
• Temperature-control requirements

Temperature-Sensitive Products

Products requiring refrigerated, frozen, dry ice, or otherwise temperature-controlled transport are shipped using services designated by the manufacturer or fulfillment provider.

The purchaser is responsible for ensuring that qualified personnel are available to receive the shipment immediately upon delivery and to store products in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Weekend & Holiday Deliveries

To minimize the risk of temperature excursions, temperature-sensitive shipments generally are not scheduled for weekend or holiday delivery unless advance arrangements have been confirmed.

Customers with restricted receiving hours are responsible for notifying AFSBio Inc. before shipment.

4. International Shipping & Customs

International orders are subject to customs regulations, import controls, export restrictions, sanctions laws, biosecurity requirements, and applicable local regulations. 

Import Terms

Shipments are made under Incoterms 2020 as set out in our Terms of Sale. In summary: shipments to the United States and Canada are delivered on a Delivered at Place (DAP) basis, with AFSBio Inc. arranging transportation and customs brokerage; shipments to Australia and New Zealand are delivered on a Delivered at Place (DAP) basis, with the buyer acting as importer of record and responsible for all applicable import duties, taxes, and local charges. See our Terms of Sale for the complete and controlling terms, including terms applicable to any other destination.

Import Responsibilities

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the purchaser is responsible for:

• Import permits
• End-user certifications
• Institutional approvals
• Regulatory registrations
• Customs declarations
• Import licenses
• Duties and taxes
• Government fees
• Any documentation required for legal importation

The purchaser remains responsible for compliance with all import requirements applicable to the destination jurisdiction.

Regulated Products

Certain products may be subject to:

• Export controls
• Biosecurity restrictions
• Select-agent regulations
• Controlled substance regulations
• Sanctions requirements
• Other governmental restrictions

AFSBio Inc. reserves the right to request compliance documentation before fulfilling an order.

Orders may be delayed, suspended, or cancelled if required documentation is unavailable or inadequate.

Customs Delays & Regulatory Actions

AFSBio Inc. is not responsible for delays, losses, spoilage, degradation, seizure, rejection, detention, destruction, return, or other adverse actions resulting from:

• Customs inspections
• Border processing
• Government reviews
• Regulatory holds
• Import clearance procedures
• Government agency actions
• Compliance investigations

5. Lost, Damaged, Incorrect, or Delayed Shipments

Inspection Upon Delivery

Failure to provide timely notice may result in denial of the claim.

Evidence Requirements

Claims must include, at a minimum:

• Photographs of the shipping carton
• Product labels
• Shipping labels
• Temperature indicators (if applicable)
• Photographs showing alleged damage
• Any other information reasonably requested

Claims must be submitted through the contact methods identified in our Return and Refund Policy, including any designated support email address or claim submission form.

Claims Assistance

Because products are shipped by independent suppliers and carriers, replacement, refund, or credit decisions may depend on the findings of the manufacturer, carrier, insurer, customs authority, or other responsible third party.

AFSBio Inc. will reasonably assist customers in pursuing valid claims but cannot guarantee any specific outcome.

Carrier Delays

AFSBio Inc. is not liable for delays, temperature excursions, spoilage, degradation, or losses arising from:

• Carrier delays
• Weather events
• Airport disruptions
• Transportation interruptions
• Customs procedures
• Third-party logistics failures
• Other circumstances beyond our reasonable control

No Scientific Performance Guarantee

Shipping compliance, maintenance of specified transportation conditions, or successful delivery does not guarantee experimental results, product suitability for a particular application, regulatory acceptance, scientific outcomes, or research success.

Product warranties, disclaimers, and limitations of liability remain governed by our Terms of Service and Terms of Sale.

6. Refused, Returned, or Undeliverable Shipments

Customers are responsible for:

• Accepting delivery
• Monitoring carrier communications
• Providing required import documentation
• Paying applicable duties, taxes, and fees
• Maintaining the ability to receive shipments during normal delivery hours

If a shipment is refused, abandoned, returned, destroyed, delayed, held, or rendered undeliverable as a result of customer action or inaction, the customer shall remain responsible for all resulting costs, including:

• Return freight charges
• Storage charges
• Customs fees
• Disposal fees
• Destruction fees
• Broker fees
• Supplier assessment fees
• Restocking fees where applicable
• Any other unrecoverable costs incurred by AFSBio Inc.

Certain products, including temperature-sensitive, biological, perishable, custom-manufactured, hazardous, and regulated products, may not be eligible for return, credit, or resale after shipment.

Any customer-initiated return remains subject to the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requirements and restrictions contained in our Return and Refund Policy.

7. Force Majeure

AFSBio Inc. shall not be liable for delays, interruptions, or failures arising from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including:

• Natural disasters
• Floods
• Fires
• Severe weather
• Pandemics
• Disease outbreaks
• Labor disputes
• Transportation disruptions
• Carrier service interruptions
• Supply shortages
• Regulatory actions
• Customs delays
• Cybersecurity incidents
• Utility failures
• Government actions
• Failures of suppliers, manufacturers, carriers, or logistics providers

Where such events occur, fulfillment and delivery timelines may be extended without liability.