Terms and Conditions

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

IMPORTANT NOTICE:- The Consumer’s attention is drawn thereto that the standard terms and conditions of sale, as contemplated in this document (“Terms and Conditions”), may constitute a limitation of risk and/or liability of African Seeds Group (Pty) Ltd (registration number: 1981/007798/07) (“the Company”) and/or constitute an assumption of obligations, risk, liability and/or waiver of rights by the Consumer. The Consumer may furthermore, in terms hereof, indemnify the Company against claims for damages and/or loss.

  1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS: – The placing of an order and/or acceptance of delivery of the goods, forming the subject of a transaction which is regulated by the Terms and Conditions, whichever event occurs first, shall constitute a full and unconditional acceptance by the Consumer of such Terms and Conditions. It is further recorded that the opening of the product packaging shall constitute a further acceptance, alternatively confirmation of acceptance, by the Consumer of the Terms and Conditions.
  2. SALE & PURCHASE:– The Company hereby sells to the Consumer who purchases the goods, as identified on the order form and/or tax invoice, subject to the Terms and Conditions and the Company’s policy/ies, if any, regarding defective goods.
  3. TRANSFER OF RISK & INSURANCE:– All risk of loss and/or damage to or in relation to the goods shall immediately transfer to the Consumer upon delivery thereof. Delivery shall be affected ex works, as contemplated in the 2020 edition of the International Chamber of Commerce’s Commercial Terms (“Incoterms®”). The Company will only procure insurance at the written request of the Consumer and upon such terms and conditions as the parties may agree upon in writing.
  4. QUALITY OF GOODS:– The Company takes reasonable care to ensure that the goods comply with all relevant statutory requirements at the time of its sale and delivery. If the Consumer is dissatisfied with the quality of the goods, the latter may lodge a formal written complaint with the Company, which complaint shall be investigated and dealt with accordingly. The determination of the quality of the goods shall be performed in accordance with accepted industry practices, protocol and, where applicable, the International Rules for Seed Testing issued by the International Seed Testing Association (“ISTA”). To the extent that the goods are not planted or otherwise used, as the case may be, within a period of twelve (12) months from date of its purchase, alternatively used prior to the “best before date” or “expiry date”, as may be indicated on the relevant product packaging, the Consumer shall at its own expense have the quality of such goods tested by an appropriately accredited laboratory prior to the use and/or application thereof and otherwise ensure that such goods are suitable for its intended use at that time.
  5. SUCCESSFUL CULTIVATION: – The Consumer acknowledges that the successful cultivation of crops may be seasonally and/or regionally bound. It may further be subject to and/or influenced by various factors, such to include but not limited to, the geographic location of the cultivation area, cultivation practices, seed treatment practices, fertilising practices, weed and pest control practices, climate conditions, environmental conditions, soil quality, handling practices, warehousing conditions, and the timeous, appropriate use and/or application of agricultural inputs. Having regard to the above, the Consumer undertakes to at all relevant times ensure that the relevant crop is cultivated in accordance with best industry practice and in conditions which are generally accepted as being optimal for the cultivation of such crops.
  6. WARRANTY & REPRESENTATION:– Unless contained in these terms and conditions of sale, no express, alternatively tacit, alternatively implied warranty or representation of any nature whatsoever is given in relation to the goods, its quality, purity and genetic purity, usages, merchantability, fitness, suitability for a particular purpose, yield, hardiness and resistance to diseases and/or insects or otherwise. All recommendations in respect of the goods shall be bona fide, non-binding and not constitute a representation or warranty of the goods’ suitability for use or usefulness of whatsoever nature. The Company does not warrant that the goods are free of any pests, insects, fungi, bacteria, weed seeds, chemicals or any other material and/or substance that may be harmful. The Consumer shall remain solely responsible to ensure that the goods are suitable for its intended use.
  7. PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:– Due to market and currency exchange fluctuations, prices of the goods may from time-to-time vary without notice. Prices are therefore neither fixed nor binding upon the Company until a purchase order has expressly been accepted and such acceptance been communicated in writing by the Company to the Consumer. All prices quoted are exclusive of warehouse costs, transport costs, insurance, Value Added Tax or any other applicable levy and/or duty.
  8. STOCK AVAILABILITY & DELIVERY:– Orders are received in good faith and are subject to stock availability. Delivery times are not guaranteed and should only be interpreted as an estimated time of delivery. Notwithstanding the limitation of liability contained herein below, the Company shall not be liable towards the Consumer for any loss or damage, of whatsoever nature, suffered as a result of its inability or failure to timeously supply and deliver the goods. The parties agree that time shall not be of the essence in relation to the delivery of the goods.
  9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:– Except to the extent otherwise provided for in these terms and conditions of sale, the Consumer acquires no right or licence in respect of the intellectual property owned by the Company or in such intellectual property in which the Company, whether through licence or otherwise, may hold a direct and/or indirect interest. The Consumer is prohibited from any unauthorised and/or unlawful use, application or exploitation of the intellectual property owned by the Company or such intellectual property in which the Company, whether through licence or otherwise, may hold a direct and/or indirect interest. The unauthorised multiplication or trading of seed of a protected variety is strictly prohibited. Once the seed of a protected variety has been planted, the Consumer shall not be entitled to replant or trade the harvested seed or to use same in any manner of whatsoever nature that would infringe or otherwise limit any intellectual property rights that may directly and/or indirectly vest in the Company. The Consumer’s attention is furthermore drawn thereto that the unauthorised multiplication, trade or use of seed of protected varieties and/or varieties that may contain other intellectual property, such to include but not limited to patented biotechnology traits or otherwise, are unlawful and strictly prohibited.
  10. PAYMENT TERMS: – Unless agreed to otherwise in writing, the payment terms of the purchase consideration in respect of the goods sold and delivered to the Consumer by virtue hereof, shall be “cash on delivery”. The Company, acting in its sole discretion, reserves the right to sell and deliver goods to the Consumer on credit, the terms and conditions of which shall be reduced to writing and signed for and/or on behalf of the Company and the Consumer. All payments to be made by virtue of this agreement shall be made without any fee, deduction or setoff and from freely transferrable funds.
  11. INTEREST: – Compound interest, capitalised monthly in arrears, shall accrue to any and all overdue amounts at the rate of 2% per month (24% per annum), calculated from the date upon which such overdue amounts became due and payable until such date as the full remaining balance in respect of such overdue amounts have been paid in full.
  12. RESERVATION OF OWNERSHIP: – Ownership in respect of the goods, forming the subject of a transaction regulated by these Terms and Conditions, shall at all relevant times remain vested in the Company until such time as the purchase consideration, including interest and costs, if any, in respect thereof has been paid in full.
  13. LEGAL COSTS: – All fees, costs and expenses, including costs on an attorney and client scale, collection commission and tracing fees, incurred by the Company in the recovery of any amount that may be due by the Consumer to the Company, or in the enforcement of any rights and/or obligations held by virtue of these Terms and Conditions, shall be borne by and recoverable from the Consumer.
  14. LIMITATION AND EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY: – The Company shall not be held liable by the Consumer for any loss and/or damages that may be suffered as a direct or indirect result of the use of the goods subsequent to its “best before date” or “expiry date” or a period of twelve (12) months after the procurement of such goods. The Company shall further not be liable to the Consumer for such damages and/or loss in circumstances where the Consumer has not followed best industry practices in the cultivation of the relevant crop or has not cultivated the relevant crop in optimal conditions, as the case may be. In all other instances, the Company’s liability towards the Consumer for any loss and/or damages (including consequential damages) shall be limited to the value of the purchase price of the goods that formed the subject of the Consumer’s claim. The Consumer waives and/or abandons any portion of the claim that it may in law have against the Company, which exceeds the aforesaid value.
  15. COMPLETE AGREEMENT: – The Terms and Conditions constitute the full and final agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter thereof. No variation of this agreement or consensual cancellation thereof, shall be of any force or effect unless reduced to writing and signed by or on behalf of the parties to this agreement.
  16. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION: – The parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court, notwithstanding that the subject matter of such claim might otherwise exceed the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court. The parties will however reserve the right to institute proceedings in any higher Court having the required jurisdiction. The parties hereby acknowledge and give their consent to the jurisdiction of the South African Courts and that any dispute of whatsoever nature, arising from this agreement, will exclusively be adjudicated by applying the law governing the Republic of South Africa.
  17. CONFLICT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS: – In as much as the English version of these Terms and Conditions may be in conflict with the Afrikaans version thereof, the English version shall prevail.
  18. AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT: – The Consumer and signatory to this agreement, acting as the agent for and on behalf of the Consumer, hereby warrant that he/she/they are duly authorised to contract with the Company on the Terms and Conditions contemplated herein.

STANDAARD VERKOOPSVOORWAARDES

BELANGRIKE KENNISGEWING:- Die verbruiker se aandag word daarop gevestig dat die standaard verkoopsbepalings en -voorwaardes wat in hierdie dokument beliggaam word (“Verkoopsvoorwaardes”) ‘n beperking van African Seeds Group (Edms) Bpk (registrasienommer: 1981/007798/07) (“Maatskappy”) se aanspreeklikheid en/of risiko kan meebring. Die verbruiker kan verdermeer, in terme hiervan, verpligtinge, risikos, aanspreeklikheid aanvaar, van regte afstand doen en die Maatskappy vrystel en/of skadeloos stel teen skade en/of verlies.

  1. AANVAARDING VAN VERKOOPSVOORWAARDES: – Die plasing van ‘n bestelling en/of die aanvaarding van lewering van die goedere, wat die onderwerp van ‘n transaksie vorm wat deur die Verkoopsvoorwaardes gereguleer word, welke ook al eerste plaasvind, sal die volle en onvoorwaardelike aanvaarding deur die Verbruiker van die Verkoopsvoorwaardes daarstel. Die oopmaak van die goedere se verpakking sal ‘n verdere aanvaarding, alternatiewelik ‘n bevestiging van aanvaarding, deur die Verbruiker van die Verkoopsvoorwaardes daarstel.
  2. KOOP & VERKOOP:– Die Maatskappy verkoop hiermee aan die Verbruiker wat koop, die goedere soos aangetoon in die bestelvorm en/of belastingfaktuur, welke transaksie onderhewig is aan die Verkoopsvoorwaardes, asook die Maatskappy se beleid/e, indien enige, rakende defektiewe goedere.
  3. OORDRAG VAN RISIKO & VERSEKERING: – Alle risiko van skade en/of verlies aan of met betrekking tot die goedere gaan met lewering aan die Verbruiker oor. Lewering geskied ex works, soos beoog in die 2020 weergawe van die Internasionale Kamer van Handel se Kommersiële Terme (“Incoterms ®”). Versekering sal slegs op skriftelike versoek deur die Verbruiker en op sodanige bepalings en voorwaardes as wat wedersyds en skriftelik tussen die partye ooreengekom mag word, deur die Maatskappy gereël word.
  4. KWALITEIT VAN GOEDERE:– Die Maatskappy neem redelike sorg ten einde te verseker dat die goedere aan alle relevante statutêre vereistes voldoen ten tyde die verkoop en lewering daarvan. In die geval van ontevredenheid met die kwaliteit van die goedere, kan die Verbruiker ‘n formele klagte skriftelik aan die Maatskappy rig, welke klagte ondersoek en dienooreenkomstig hanteer sal word. Die goedere se kwaliteit sal bepaal word deur die toepassing van die industrie se aanvaarde standaarde, protokol en, waar van toepassing, die Internasionale Reëls vir Saadontleding, soos voorgeskryf deur die Internasionale Saadtoets Assosiasie (“ISTA”). Tot dié mate waartoe die goedere nie binne ‘n periode van twaalf (12) maande na datum van aankope daarvan, alternatiewelik voor die optimale gebruiksdatum of vervaldatum, soos wat op die verpakking van die goedere aangetoon mag word, deur die Verbruiker aangeplant of andersins gebruik word nie, sal die Verbruiker op sy eie koste die kwaliteit van sodanige goedere deur ‘n toepaslik, geakkrediteerde laboratorium laat bepaal en andersins verseker dat dié goedere geskik is vir die geoormerkte doel alvorens sodanige goedere gebruik of andersins aangewend word.
  5. SUKSESVOLLE VERBOUING: – Die Verbruiker gee hiermee te kenne dat die suksesvolle verbouing van gewasse seisoen- en/of streeksgebonde kan wees. Dit mag verdermeer onderworpe wees aan en/of beïnvloed word deur verskeie faktore, welke faktore insluit, maar nie beperk is nie, tot die geografiese ligging van die betrokke aanplanting, boerdery praktyke, saadbehandeling praktyke, bemesting praktyke, onkruid en insekbeheer praktyke, klimaatstoestande, omgewingstoestande, grondkwaliteit, hanteringspraktyke, opbergingstoestande en die tydige, gepaste gebruik en/of aanwending van landbou insette. In die lig van voormelde onderneem die Verbruiker om die betrokke gewas/se ooreenkomstig beste industrie praktyke en in algemeen aanvaarde optimale omstandighede te produseer.
  6. WAARBORGE & VOORSTELLINGS:– Geen uitdruklike, alternatiewelik stilswyende, alternatiewelik geïmpliseerde waarborg of voorstelling van enige aard hoegenaamd, anders as die voorstellings en/of waarborge hierin vervat, word gelewer in verband met die goedere, sy kwaliteit, suiwerheid, genetiese suiwerheid, bruikbaarheid, gebruik, verhandelbaarheid, geskiktheid vir ‘n spesifieke doel, opbrengs, gehardheid, weerstandbiedendheid teen peste en/of siekte of andersins, nie. Enige en alle aanbevelings vir die gebruik van die goedere sal op ‘n bona fide basis geskied, nie bindend wees nie en in geen opsig enige ‘n voorstelling of waarborg ten opsigte van die geskiktheid of bruikbaarheid van die goedere daarstel nie. Die Maatskappy waarborg nie dat die goedere vry van enige swamme, peste, insekte, bakterieë, onkruidsade, chemikalieë, onsuiwerhede en/of skadelike materiaal of middel, is nie. Die Verbruiker sal uitsluitlik daarvoor verantwoordelik wees om te verseker dat die goedere wel geskik is vir die doel waarvoor dit bekom word.
  7. PRYSSKOMMELING:– Vanweë mark- en wisselkoers skommelinge kan die pryse van goedere sonder kennisgewing van tyd-tot-tyd verander. Gevolglik is die prys van die goedere nie bindend of afdwingbaar op die Maatskappy voordat die Verbruiker se betrokke bestelling nie uitdruklik en skriftelik deur die Maatskappy aanvaar en dienooreenkomstig aan die Verbruiker gekommunikeer is nie. Alle pryse gekwoteer sluit Belasting op Toegevoegde Waarde of enige ander heffing of belasting, versekering, stoor- en vervoerkostes uit.
  8. BESKIKBAARHEID VAN VOORRAAD & LEWERING:– Alle bestellings word in goeie trou geneem en sal ten alle relevante tye aan die beskikbaarheid van voorraad onderhewig wees. Afleweringstye van goedere word nie gewaarborg nie en moet slegs as ‘n geskatte datum van aflewering beskou word. Nieteenstaande die beperking van aanspreeklikheid hieronder na verwys, sal die Maatskappy nie aanspreeklik teenoor die Verbruiker wees vir enige verlies of skade, van welke aard ook al, wat gely word weens die Maatskappy se gebrek of onvermoë om goedere tydig te verskaf en te lewer nie. Die partye is dit eens dat tyd nie van kritiese belang vir die lewering van die goedere geag sal word nie.
  9. INTELLEKTUELE EIENDOM:– Behalwe tot die mate waartoe enige bepaling hierin vervat uitdruklik die teendeel bepaal, verkry die Verbruiker geen regte of lisensie ten opsigte van die Maatskappy se intellektuele eiendom of sodanige intellektuele eiendom ten opsigte waarvan die Maatskappy, hetsy deur lisensie of andersins, ‘n direkte en/of indirekte belang hou, nie. Die Verbruiker word verder verbied om die Maatskappy se intellektuele eiendom of sodanige intellektuele eiendom ten opsigte waarvan die Maatskappy, hetsy deur lisensie of andersins, ‘n direkte en/of indirekte belang hou, op ‘n ongemagtigde en/of ongeoorloofde wyse te gebruik of andersins aan te wend. Die ongemagtigde vermeerdering en/of verhandeling van saad van ‘n beskermde variëteit word verbied. Die Verbruiker word verder verbied om saad van ‘n beskermde variëteit te oes en om sodanige saad weer aan te plant, te verhandel, gebruik of op enige ander wyse aan te wend wat die intellektuele eiendomsregte, wat direk en/of indirek in die Maatskappy mag vestig, skend of wat dit andersins beperk. Die Verbruiker word verdermeer daarop attent gemaak dat die ongemagtigde vermeerdering, gebruik en/of verhandeling van saad van ‘n beskermde variëteit of van sodanige variëteite wat ander intellektuele eiendom, ingesluit maar nie beperk nie tot gepatenteerde biotegnologiese eienskappe of andersins, bevat, onregmatig en streng verbode is.
  10. BETALINGSTERME:– Tensy die teendeel skriftelik deur die Maatskappy en die Verbruiker ooreengekom word, sal die betalingsterme van die koopsom, ten opsigte van die goedere wat die onderwerp van ‘n transaksie vorm wat deur dié Verkoopsvoorwaardes gereguleer word, “kontant op lewering” wees. Die Maatskappy behou die reg voor om, in sy uitsluitlike diskresie, goedere op krediet aan ‘n Verbruiker te verkoop en te lewer, in welke geval die bepalings en voorwaardes insidenteel tot sodanige kredietooreenkoms op skrif gestel en deur beide die Maatskappy en die Verbruiker onderteken moet word. Alle betalings gemaak in terme van hierdie ooreenkoms sal sonder fooi, aftrekking of skuldvergelyking van enige aard en van vrye oordraagbare fondse gemaak word.
  11. RENTE:– Saamgestelde rente, maandeliks terugwerkend gekapitaliseer en bereken teen 2 % per maand (24% per jaar), sal op alle agterstallige bedrae gehef word vanaf die datum waarop sodanige gelde opeisbaar en betaalbaar geword het tot en met die datum waarop die volle uitstaande balans ten opsigte daarvan vereffen word.
  12. VOORBEHOUD VAN EIENDOMSREG:– Eiendomsreg ten opsigte van goedere, wat die onderwerp van ‘n transaksie vorm wat deur dié Verkoopsvoorwaardes gereguleer word, sal ten alle relevante tye in die Maatskappy gevestig bly tot en met die volle koopsom ten opsigte daarvan, insluitende opgelope rente en kostes, indien enige, ten volle betaal word.
  13. REGSKOSTE: – Alle fooie, kostes en uitgawes, op ‘n skaal soos tussen prokureur-en-kliënt, insluitende invorderingskommissie en opsporingsfooie, aangegaan deur die Maatskappy tydens die invordering van enige bedrag verskuldig deur die Verbruiker of in die afdwinging van enige regte en/of verpligtinge voortspruitend uit die Verkoopsvoorwaardes, sal verhaalbaar wees van en betaalbaar wees deur die Verbruiker.
  14. AANSPREEKLIKHEIDSBEPERKING: – Die Maatskappy sal nie aanspreeklik teenoor die Verbruiker wees vir enige skade en/of verlies wat direk of indirek voortspruit uit die gebruik van die goedere na die optimale gebruiksdatum of vervaldatum of na die verloop van ‘n periode van twaalf (12) maande na die verkryging daarvan, welke ook al eerste plaasvind, nie. Die Maatskappy sal ook nie vir sodanige skade en/of verlies aanspreeklik wees in omstandighede waar die Verbruiker nie beste industrie praktyke nagevolg het tydens die produksie van die gewas nie of waar die gewas nie in optimale toestande geproduseer was nie. In alle ander gevalle sal die Maatskappy se aanspreeklikheid teenoor die Verbruiker vir enige verlies en/of skade (insluitende gevolgskade) beperk wees tot die koopprys van die goedere wat die onderwerp van die Verbruiker se eis vorm. Die Verbruiker doen hiermee afstand en/of abandoneer enige gedeelte van sy eis wat voormelde perk oorskry.
  15. VOLLE EN FINALE OOREENKOMS: – Die Verkoopsvoorwaardes stel die volle en finale ooreenkoms, ten opsigte van die onderwerp daarvan, tussen die partye daar. Geen wysiging van hierdie ooreenkoms en/of ooreengekome kansellasie daarvan sal bindend en/of afdwingbaar wees tensy dit op skrif gestel en deur beide partye onderteken is nie.
  16. TOESTEMMING TOT JURISDIKSIE: – Die partye stem hiermee in tot die jurisdiksie van die Landdroshof, ondanks die feit dat die eisoorsaak andersins buite die jurisdiksie van die Landdroshof sou val en sonder benadeling van die partye se reg om ‘n aksie en/of aansoek in ‘n hoër Hof, bekleë met die nodige jurisdiksie, in te stel. Die partye stem verder daartoe in dat enige dispuut, van welke aard ook al, wat voortspruit uit hierdie ooreenkoms, deur die eksklusiewe toepassing van die Suid-Afrikaanse reg besleg sal word.
  17. KONFLIK IN BEPALINGS & VOORWAARDES: – In sovêrre die Afrikaanse weergawe van Verkoopsvoorwaardes in konflik met die Engelse weergawe is, sal die Engelse weergawe gehandhaaf word.
  18. MAGTIGING OM TE KONTRAKTEER: – Beide die Verbruiker, sowel as die ondertekenaar van hierdie ooreenkoms wat as agent namens die Verbruiker handel, waarborg hiermee dat hy/sy/hul behoorlik daartoe gemagtig is om hierdie ooreenkoms met die Maatskappy te sluit.