These Terms of Service govern all quotations, orders and sales of goods by Top Stone Panels to business customers. Please read them carefully before requesting a quotation or placing an order.
Effective Date: August 2026These Terms of Service (the “Terms”) apply to all quotations, orders, confirmations and sales of natural stone products by Top Stone Panels, a natural stone cladding manufacturer with its factory in Yixian County, Baoding, Hebei Province, China (“Top Stone Panels”, “we”, “us” or the “Seller”), to business customers, including wholesalers, distributors, importers, contractors, architects and brand owners (the “Buyer”). Top Stone Panels operates strictly as a B2B quarry-direct manufacturer and does not sell to end consumers. By requesting a quotation, accepting a proforma invoice, placing an order or accepting delivery of goods, the Buyer agrees to be bound by these Terms, which supersede all prior oral or written representations.
All quotations are issued in the currency stated in the quotation and are based on the trade term indicated therein (typically ex-works or FOB Tianjin Xingang). Quotations are valid for the validity period stated therein; where no period is stated, validity is subject to quarry output, exchange rates and international freight levels, and we reserve the right to revise prices before acceptance of a deposit. The formal proforma invoice prevails over any earlier indicative quotation.
As a factory-direct supplier, we plan production and shipment at container level. The minimum order quantity (MOQ) depends on the product category, format, backing type and color selection. Mixed-category loading within one container is generally available. The applicable MOQ for a specific inquiry will be confirmed in writing together with our quotation and container loading plan.
Sample production and dispatch are normally completed within 1–3 working days of sample confirmation. International courier charges for samples are borne by the Buyer. For upgrade or replacement projects in which the Buyer provides a physical reference sample, our factory laboratory may perform vein-density comparison, cutting-tolerance and backing analysis and, at our discretion, produce a 1:1 counter-sample free of charge.
Samples are supplied solely for quality and design evaluation and may not be resold. Natural stone is a product of nature: samples indicate the general character of the material, and reasonable batch-to-batch variation in color, veining, texture and thickness within stated tolerances is inherent and does not constitute a defect. Our batch-specific vein selection process targets color-transition consistency of 95% or higher within each order batch.
An order is placed when the Buyer confirms our proforma invoice in writing. The contract between the parties is formed when we receive the agreed deposit. Order details — including item specifications, colors, quantities, packaging requirements, trade terms and destination port — are fixed once production begins and may only be changed with our written consent, subject to any resulting cost and lead-time adjustments.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, standard payment terms are 30% deposit by T/T upon order confirmation and 70% balance before shipment. Before balance payment becomes due, we provide the Buyer with a container-loading inspection video and high-resolution mass-production photo package; the balance is settled upon the Buyer’s confirmation of these materials. We may suspend production or withhold shipment if any payment is overdue.
Custom private-label packaging designs and OEM product specifications provided by the Buyer are stored securely in our database, and no extra setup fees are charged for repeat orders.
Indicative lead times run from receipt of the deposit and final confirmation of all order details. Stock or fast-ship orders are normally ready for dispatch within 20 working days, shipped from Tianjin Xingang (Tianjin New Port). First orders involving private-label packaging printing typically require 25–30 working days, including plate-making for custom cartons.
Lead times are estimates and may be affected by quarry conditions, weather, port congestion, carrier schedules, customs procedures or force majeure events beyond our reasonable control. We will notify the Buyer promptly of any material delay and use reasonable efforts to mitigate it. Delivery dates quoted for ocean carriage remain subject to the carrier’s schedule.
Goods are packed under our Zero-Breakage Packaging Protocol: export-grade 3-ply or 5-ply reinforced corrugated cartons, fumigation-free plywood pallets, 4–6 high-tensile steel straps per pallet, and industrial air-bag void filling inside the container. The Buyer is responsible for communicating any special pallet or unloading requirements of its warehouse (for example forklift standards) before production.
Risk of loss or damage to the goods passes to the Buyer in accordance with the Incoterm agreed in the proforma invoice. The Buyer is responsible for import clearance, duties and taxes at destination; for customs reference, our slate products generally fall under HS Code 6803.00.90 and quartzite products under HS Code 6802.93.11, subject to the classification of the actual goods.
Upon arrival, the Buyer should inspect the container and cargo at unloading and record any carrier-caused damage with photographs and the carrier’s damage report at the time of delivery, so that claims against the carrier or insurer can be properly supported.
All production runs are governed by our three-step quality control protocol: raw-material selection at the quarry, in-process re-inspection during cutting and assembly, and final pre-shipment inspection. Panels are manufactured with infrared CNC diamond cutting, and bonding uses marine-grade epoxy designed to withstand temperatures from -30°C to +50°C without debonding.
Because natural stone varies by vein, batch and mineral composition, differences in shade, veining, crystal pattern and surface texture within the range shown by approved samples do not constitute non-conformity. Dimensional tolerances are those stated in the applicable product specification; thickness and weight figures published on our website are indicative averages.
Claims for visible non-conformity must be submitted in writing, with photographs and the relevant container and batch information, within 14 days after arrival of the goods at the destination port. Where a claim is verified as justified, our sole remedy shall be, at our option, replacement of the affected goods or refund of the ex-works value of the affected portion, in either case limited to the extent of our responsibility under the agreed trade term.
Where the Buyer commissions OEM or private-label work — including custom product specifications, carton and color-box printing, and pallet formats — the Buyer grants us a non-exclusive license to use the trademarks, logos and artwork supplied solely for the purpose of manufacturing and shipping the ordered goods. The Buyer warrants that it owns or is lawfully licensed to use such materials and that their use does not infringe any third-party rights, and shall indemnify us against claims arising from any breach of this warranty.
All intellectual property created by us — including product photography, technical drawings, dieline files, installation guides and tooling designs — remains our property and may not be reproduced or disclosed to third parties without our written consent.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Top Stone Panels shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of business opportunities, project delay costs, installation costs or demurrage, howsoever arising.
Our aggregate liability in connection with any order shall not exceed the amount actually paid by the Buyer for the goods giving rise to the claim. The Buyer is solely responsible for verifying that the products are suitable for the intended application, comply with local building codes and structural load requirements, and are installed according to professional practice and our installation guidance.
These Terms and all contracts formed under them are governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China, without giving effect to conflict-of-law rules. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) shall not apply.
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms or an order shall first be resolved through friendly negotiation. If no settlement is reached within 30 days, the dispute shall be submitted to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) in Beijing for arbitration under its rules in effect at the time of application. The arbitration shall be conducted in English, and the arbitral award shall be final and binding on both parties.
Questions about these Terms, or about any quotation or order, may be directed to our export team. Factory visits and inspections are welcome by appointment.
