Terms of Service

Last updated: July 01, 2026

1. Overview

Welcome to AncientTao.

AncientTao provides China-based product sourcing, purchasing assistance, receiving, basic visual inspection, packaging preparation, and international shipping coordination services.

Products are purchased from third-party Chinese marketplaces, suppliers, or independent sellers only after the customer reviews and approves the applicable quote.

AncientTao is not the manufacturer of the sourced products and does not normally hold product inventory.

By submitting a sourcing request, approving a quote, making a payment, or using our services, you agree to these Terms of Service, our Refund and Cancellation Policy, Shipping Policy, and Privacy Policy.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old, or the legal age required in your location, to use our services.

You are responsible for providing complete and accurate:

• Contact information
• Product requirements
• Payment information
• Customs information
• Delivery address
• Recipient telephone number and email address

You must not use our services for unlawful, fraudulent, deceptive, or prohibited activities.

3. Sourcing Requests

You may submit a product link, image, description, or other relevant information for review.

Submitting a sourcing request and receiving an initial product confirmation are free. You are not required to proceed with a purchase.

Please provide accurate information about:

• Product quantity
• Color
• Size
• Model
• Material
• Specifications
• Destination country
• Special requirements

AncientTao may request additional information before preparing a quote.

We may decline requests involving products that cannot reasonably, legally, or safely be purchased or shipped.

4. Quotes and Product Availability

We prepare quotes using the product and seller information available at the time of review.

A Stage 1 quote may show:

• Actual product cost
• Estimated China domestic shipping
• Sourcing service fee
• Other costs approved in advance

Prices and availability may change before the seller order is placed.

A quote does not reserve inventory or guarantee that the seller will continue offering the product at the quoted price.

If the price changes or the product becomes unavailable before purchase, we will contact you before purchasing an alternative or charging an additional amount.

AncientTao will not knowingly substitute a materially different product without your approval.

5. Product Value and Service-Fee Calculation

The sourcing service fee is based on the total product value within one sourcing order.

“Product value” means the actual purchase price of the products. It does not include:

• China domestic shipping
• International shipping
• Customs duties
• Import taxes
• Carrier charges

Our sourcing service fees are:

• Product value up to $100: $29.99
• Product value from $101 to $250: $44.99
• Product value from $251 to $500: $69.99

The applicable fee is the same whether the sourcing order contains one product or several products.

Orders with a product value above $500 require individual review and a written service-fee quote before payment.

Separate sourcing requests or orders may be charged separately.

6. What the Sourcing Service Fee Covers

The sourcing service fee may include:

• Reviewing the sourcing request
• Confirming available product information
• Communicating with Chinese sellers
• Purchasing approved products
• Receiving products at our China office
• Basic visual inspection
• Providing inspection photos or videos
• Packaging preparation
• International shipping coordination
• Customer support during the sourcing process

The sourcing service fee does not include:

• Product cost
• China domestic shipping
• International shipping
• Customs duties or import taxes, unless specifically included in the selected shipping method
• Seller-imposed return or cancellation costs
• Additional services not included in the approved quote

7. Two-Stage Payment Process

AncientTao normally uses a two-stage payment process.

Stage 1: Product Purchase

Your first payment includes:

• Actual product cost
• China domestic shipping
• Applicable sourcing service fee

We begin purchasing only after the Stage 1 payment has been received.

Stage 2: International Shipping

After the products arrive at our China office, we inspect and securely pack the order.

International shipping is then calculated using:

• Final packed weight
• Package dimensions
• Destination
• Product type
• Selected shipping method
• Carrier requirements

Your second payment includes the approved international shipping cost.

Customs duties or import taxes may also be included when the written shipping quote specifically identifies the shipping method as DDP or duties paid.

The package will be dispatched internationally only after the Stage 2 payment has been received.

8. Payment Authorization

By making a payment, you confirm that:

• You have reviewed the applicable quote;
• The product information and requirements are correct;
• You authorize AncientTao to purchase the approved products;
• You understand which costs are included in that payment.

You must contact us promptly if you believe a payment or invoice contains an error.

Refunds and cancellations are handled according to our Refund and Cancellation Policy.

9. Third-Party Product Information

Product descriptions, photographs, dimensions, materials, specifications, colors, and seller claims may come from third-party sellers or marketplaces.

AncientTao will make reasonable efforts to confirm important information but cannot guarantee that every piece of seller-provided information is complete or error-free.

Differences may occur in:

• Color
• Texture
• Measurements
• Materials
• Packaging
• Handmade details
• Product batches
• Screen or lighting appearance

You are responsible for reviewing the product information and quote before approving the purchase.

10. Authenticity and Brand Claims

Unless expressly confirmed in writing as part of a separately agreed service, our basic visual inspection is not a professional authenticity certification.

AncientTao does not guarantee the authenticity, origin, brand authorization, collectible value, age, material composition, or professional grading of a product solely based on seller information or visual inspection.

We may refuse requests involving suspected counterfeit, infringing, unauthorized, or illegally branded products.

11. Receiving and Basic Visual Inspection

After the product arrives at our China office, we perform a basic visual inspection.

The inspection may include:

• Product type
• Quantity
• Visible condition
• Color, size, or model when reasonably verifiable
• Packaging
• Obvious differences from the approved listing

We provide unedited inspection photos or videos for your review.

Our inspection is not:

• A laboratory test
• A technical performance test
• A product safety certification
• A professional authenticity examination
• An expert appraisal
• A complete inspection of hidden or internal components

We cannot guarantee the detection of hidden defects or problems that are not reasonably visible during a basic inspection.

12. Customer Review and Approval

You are responsible for carefully reviewing the inspection photos, videos, and other information provided.

Contact us before approval if you notice a visible problem or require additional clarification.

Your approval confirms that you accept the product’s visible condition based on the inspection materials provided.

Approval does not remove rights that cannot legally be excluded, and it does not prevent a valid claim involving verified international shipping damage, confirmed package loss, or a materially incorrect product.

After approval, we will prepare the order for international shipping.

Approval normally cannot be withdrawn after the package has been dispatched.

13. Inspection Problems and Chinese Seller Returns

If an inspection identifies an incorrect product, incorrect quantity, visible damage, or another material visible issue, we will contact you before international shipping.

We may assist with requesting:

• Cancellation
• Return
• Exchange
• Replacement
• Seller refund

Any available remedy remains subject to the Chinese seller’s:

• Return policy
• Return period
• Evidence requirements
• Acceptance decision
• Refund processing time

The customer may be responsible for seller-imposed fees, China return shipping, domestic shipping, or other costs that are not refunded by the seller.

Complete cancellation and refund rules are provided in our Refund and Cancellation Policy.

14. International Shipping

International shipping is arranged only after:

1. The products have arrived at our China office;
2. The inspection materials have been approved;
3. The order has been packed;
4. The international shipping quote has been approved and paid.

Delivery dates and transit times are estimates and are not guarantees.

Tracking information will be provided after dispatch when available from the selected carrier.

Complete shipping terms are provided in our Shipping Policy.

15. Customs, Duties and Import Requirements

You are responsible for confirming that the requested products can legally be imported into the destination country.

Customs duties, import taxes, brokerage fees, storage fees, inspection charges, or other local costs may apply.

These costs are the customer’s responsibility unless the written shipping quote specifically states that they are included.

AncientTao does not control:

• Customs inspections
• Customs classifications
• Import tax assessments
• Customs processing times
• Detention, rejection, seizure, or destruction decisions

You must provide requested customs or identity information promptly and accurately.

16. Restricted and Prohibited Products

AncientTao may refuse to purchase, handle, or ship products that are illegal, unsafe, restricted, infringing, or unsuitable for international transportation.

Restrictions may apply to:

• Weapons or weapon-related products
• Explosives
• Flammable materials
• Hazardous chemicals
• Illegal drugs
• Prescription medicines
• Counterfeit products
• Protected wildlife products
• Batteries
• Liquids
• Powders
• Food
• Plants or seeds
• Products prohibited by carriers
• Products restricted in the destination country

Acceptance of a sourcing request does not guarantee that every carrier, route, or destination will be available.

17. Delivery Information and Customer Responsibilities

You must provide a complete and accurate delivery address and valid recipient contact details.

You are responsible for:

• Monitoring tracking information
• Responding to the carrier
• Responding to customs authorities
• Collecting the package when required
• Paying duties or taxes not included in the shipping quote

Additional costs resulting from incorrect information, failed delivery, refused delivery, storage, return, or redelivery may be charged to the customer.

18. Damaged, Lost or Incorrect Shipments

Visible international shipping damage must be reported within 48 hours of delivery.

You may be required to provide:

• Order number
• Outer-package photographs
• Shipping-label photographs
• Internal-packaging photographs
• Product photographs or videos
• An unpacking video, when available

Keep the product and all packaging while a claim is being reviewed.

AncientTao will assist with submitting eligible claims to the carrier.

Compensation depends on:

• Carrier investigation
• Evidence provided
• Selected shipping service
• Available insurance
• Carrier compensation limits

AncientTao cannot guarantee that a carrier will approve a claim.

Incorrect-product and lost-package claims are handled according to our Refund and Cancellation Policy and Shipping Policy.

19. Third-Party Sellers and Service Providers

AncientTao may use third-party:

• Marketplaces
• Sellers
• Payment providers
• Shipping carriers
• Warehouses
• Tracking services
• Technology providers

These third parties operate under their own terms, policies, schedules, and service limitations.

AncientTao is not responsible for third-party actions or failures that could not reasonably be controlled or prevented by AncientTao.

20. Intellectual Property

Product images, trademarks, brand names, and listing information belonging to third parties remain the property of their respective owners.

References to third-party products or marketplaces do not imply sponsorship, authorization, endorsement, or affiliation.

AncientTao may refuse requests that appear to violate intellectual-property rights.

The AncientTao website, logo, original text, graphics, and site content may not be copied or commercially reused without permission, except where applicable law allows.

21. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by applicable law, AncientTao is not responsible for:

• Hidden manufacturing defects that could not reasonably be detected
• Normal wear or product deterioration
• Minor handmade or production variations
• Inaccurate seller information that could not reasonably be verified
• Delays outside our reasonable control
• Customs actions
• Customer-provided information errors
• Indirect, incidental, or consequential losses
• Lost profit, revenue, opportunity, or business interruption

To the extent permitted by applicable law, AncientTao’s total liability relating to an affected order will not exceed the total amount paid to AncientTao for that order.

This limitation does not apply where liability cannot legally be excluded or limited.

22. Events Outside Our Reasonable Control

AncientTao is not responsible for delays or failure to perform caused by events outside our reasonable control, including:

• Natural disasters
• Severe weather
• Epidemics
• Government actions
• Customs restrictions
• Carrier disruption
• Transportation interruption
• War or civil disorder
• Internet or payment-system failures
• Supplier closure
• Public holidays

We will make reasonable efforts to communicate material delays and continue the service when reasonably possible.

23. Privacy

Personal information is collected, used, and shared according to our Privacy Policy.

By using our services, you agree that necessary information may be shared with sellers, payment providers, carriers, customs authorities, and other service providers for purchasing, payment, delivery, compliance, and customer-support purposes.

24. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms when our services, fees, payment methods, operating procedures, or legal requirements change.

The current version will be published on this page with an updated revision date.

Unless required otherwise by applicable law, updated Terms apply to sourcing requests submitted or approved after the updated Terms are published.

25. Severability

If any part of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining sections will continue to apply to the extent permitted by law.

26. Applicable Consumer Rights

Nothing in these Terms excludes or restricts rights that cannot legally be excluded or restricted under applicable consumer-protection laws or payment-provider rules.

27. Contact Us

For questions about these Terms or an existing sourcing order, contact:

Email: service@ancienttao.org
Website: AncientTao.org

Please include your order number when contacting us about an existing order.