CITES Service Terms
These terms apply to all CITES-related services provided by The Fashion Appraiser and are accepted before any CITES service is ordered.
Nature of the service
The Fashion Appraiser provides professional assistance: assessment, documentation, preparation and, where expressly agreed, handling of an application. The service is advisory and preparatory in character. It is not a legal service and does not constitute legal representation.
No governmental authority
The Fashion Appraiser is not a government body, inspectorate or CITES management authority, and cannot issue, grant, refuse or expedite any permit, certificate or official determination. All such decisions rest exclusively with the competent authorities.
No guaranteed outcome
No approval, permit, certificate, classification or other outcome is guaranteed. Fees are payable for the professional work performed and are not conditional on the decision of any authority.
Basis of the assessment
Assessments are based on professional expertise and on the information, documentation and photographic material supplied by the client, together with relevant object, material and market information available at the time. Where photographs are insufficient, a physical examination may be required before a case can proceed.
Client responsibilities
The client warrants that all information and documentation supplied is accurate, complete and lawfully held, and that the client is the owner of the object or is duly authorised to act on the owner's behalf. Incomplete or inaccurate information may cause delay, refusal or the withdrawal of the case.
Authorisation for managed applications
Where an application is handled on the client's behalf, separate written authorisation is recorded before any submission or correspondence takes place. Authorisation may be withdrawn in writing at any time; work already performed remains payable.
Fees, credit and payment
The case assessment fee of €95 is credited against a subsequent managed application. Official fees, levies and charges imposed by authorities, laboratories or carriers are not included and are borne by the client.
Cancellation and refunds
Because the service consists of professional work performed on the client's instruction, the right of withdrawal ends once the work has commenced with the client's consent. Where a case is found on assessment to be one that cannot responsibly proceed, this is stated in writing and no further work is charged.
Processing times
Processing times are determined by the competent authorities and cannot be influenced, guaranteed or predicted. Indicative timeframes are given in good faith and are never binding.
Confidentiality and personal data
Case information, documentation and photographs are treated as confidential and are used only for the purpose of the instructed service, in accordance with the privacy policy. Documentation may be shared with a competent authority where this is necessary to perform the service.
Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, liability for any loss arising from the service is limited to the fees paid for the service concerned, and does not extend to indirect or consequential loss, or to decisions, delays or acts of any authority or third party. Nothing in these terms limits liability which cannot lawfully be limited.
Governing law
These terms are governed by Netherlands law. Disputes are submitted to the competent Netherlands court, without prejudice to any mandatory consumer rights.
The Fashion Appraiser is not a government authority and cannot issue CITES permits or guarantee approval. Permits and official determinations are issued exclusively by the competent authorities.