Terms of service

TERMS OF SERVICE

Effective Date: 01 January 2026

These Terms of Service govern the purchase and use of products, services, websites, online stores, social media platforms, and related business activities operated under the Sters brand.

By purchasing products, placing an order, accessing the website, or engaging with the brand, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.

1. DEFINITIONS

In these Terms:

"Company", "we", "us", and "our" refer to the Sters brand and its owners, operators, employees, agents, and authorised representatives.

"Customer", "you", and "your" refer to any individual, business, retailer, distributor, reseller, or organisation purchasing or using our products or services.

"Products" refer to all spices, seasonings, blends, sample packs, promotional items, and related goods supplied by the Company.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS

All orders are subject to acceptance and product availability.

The Company reserves the right to:

  • Refuse any order;
  • Limit quantities purchased;
  • Cancel an order where pricing errors occur;
  • Cancel an order where fraud or misuse is suspected;
  • Restrict sales to certain regions or customers.

Order confirmation does not guarantee acceptance of an order.

A binding agreement is formed only once payment has been received and the order has been processed.

3. PRODUCT INFORMATION

The Company makes reasonable efforts to ensure all product descriptions, specifications, ingredients, packaging, images, and pricing information are accurate.

However:

  • Product images are illustrative only;
  • Packaging may vary from time to time;
  • Natural ingredient variations may occur;
  • Colour, texture, aroma, and flavour may vary between batches.

Such variations do not constitute defects.

4. FOOD PRODUCTS AND TASTE PREFERENCES

Products are food items intended for culinary use.

Individual taste preferences differ and flavour perception is subjective.

A customer's personal preference regarding taste, aroma, texture, spiciness, or seasoning intensity shall not constitute grounds for a refund, replacement, exchange, or claim.

5. ALLERGENS AND INGREDIENT RESPONSIBILITY

Customers are responsible for reviewing ingredient information before consuming products.

While reasonable precautions are taken during manufacturing and packaging, products may be processed in environments that handle:

  • Herbs
  • Spices
  • Seeds
  • Wheat products
  • Soy products
  • Dairy products
  • Tree nuts
  • Other food ingredients

The Company cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment unless expressly stated.

Customers with allergies, sensitivities, dietary restrictions, or medical conditions consume products at their own risk.

6. PRICING

All prices displayed are subject to change without notice.

The Company reserves the right to correct:

  • Pricing errors;
  • Calculation errors;
  • Technical system errors;
  • Product description errors.

Where a pricing error has occurred, the Company may cancel the affected order and issue a full refund.

7. PAYMENT

Payment must be received in full before products are dispatched unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in writing.

Accepted payment methods may include:

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • Electronic funds transfers (EFT)
  • Digital payment providers
  • Other approved payment methods

The Company reserves the right to suspend or cancel orders where payment verification cannot be completed.

8. DELIVERY

Delivery times are estimates only.

The Company shall not be liable for delays caused by:

  • Couriers
  • Transport providers
  • Weather conditions
  • Industrial action
  • Supply chain interruptions
  • Force majeure events
  • Incorrect customer information

Risk in the products passes to the customer upon delivery.

Customers are responsible for providing accurate delivery information.

Additional delivery charges arising from incorrect information may be charged to the customer.

9. INSPECTION OF GOODS

Customers must inspect goods upon receipt.

Any claims relating to:

  • Damaged goods;
  • Incorrect products;
  • Missing items;
  • Packaging defects;

must be reported within 48 hours of delivery.

Failure to report issues within a reasonable period may affect the Company's ability to investigate and resolve the claim.

10. RETURNS AND REFUNDS

Returns and refunds are governed by the Company's Return and Refund Policy.

Due to food safety requirements, opened food products generally cannot be returned unless defective or otherwise required by applicable law.

11. WHOLESALE, RETAILER AND DISTRIBUTOR SALES

Wholesale, reseller, retailer, and distributor purchases may be subject to additional agreements.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

  • Products are sold on a firm sale basis;
  • Unsold stock may not be returned;
  • Slow-moving stock may not be returned;
  • Sale-or-return arrangements do not apply;
  • Shelf-life management becomes the responsibility of the purchaser after delivery.

Claims relating to wholesale orders must be submitted within seven (7) days of delivery.

12. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All intellectual property belonging to the Company remains the exclusive property of the Company.

This includes:

  • Logos
  • Product names
  • Packaging designs
  • Images
  • Marketing materials
  • Product formulations
  • Website content
  • Branding elements

No intellectual property may be copied, reproduced, distributed, modified, or used without prior written consent.

13. PRODUCT USE

Products must be used only for their intended culinary purposes.

The Company shall not be responsible for losses, damages, injuries, or claims arising from:

  • Misuse of products;
  • Improper storage;
  • Improper preparation;
  • Commercial repackaging;
  • Relabelling;
  • Modification of products.

14. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company's liability shall be limited to the purchase price of the affected product.

The Company shall not be liable for:

  • Indirect damages;
  • Consequential damages;
  • Lost profits;
  • Loss of business opportunities;
  • Reputational losses;
  • Economic losses;
  • Third-party claims.

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability where exclusion is prohibited by applicable law.

15. STORAGE RESPONSIBILITY

Customers are responsible for storing products in accordance with any storage instructions provided.

The Company shall not be responsible for deterioration, spoilage, contamination, loss of freshness, or reduced product quality resulting from improper storage after delivery.

16. FORCE MAJEURE

The Company shall not be liable for delays or failures resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including:

  • Natural disasters
  • Floods
  • Fires
  • Epidemics
  • Pandemics
  • Power outages
  • Government actions
  • Transport disruptions
  • Labour disputes
  • Supply shortages

17. PRIVACY

Customer information collected through orders, enquiries, and website interactions will be handled in accordance with applicable South African privacy laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

18. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.

19. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS

The Company reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time.

Updated versions shall become effective upon publication on the website or other official communication channels.

Continued use of products or services after publication constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.