Auction Agreement for Costa Rica - National Winners 2022 - August 1 - August 15
The 2022 ACE National Winner Sales Platform is sponsored by The Alliance for Coffee Excellence, Inc. (ACE) and Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica. If assistance is required immediately following the auction please contact noelia@sca.cr, darrin@cupofexcellence.org, gabriela@cupofexcellence.org , kathia@cupofexcellence.org or hannah@cupofexcellence.org
Acceptance of Terms and Conditions
Your participation in this auction indicates your review and agreement to the following terms. Should you purchase any ACE National Winner coffee at this auction you agree to the terms and conditions of purchase and shipping included in this agreement. Any buyer of any ACE National Winner coffee through the auction or through a secondary channel agrees to the use and restrictions of the ACE National Winner® mark. Any misuse of this mark may be cause for legal proceedings.
Coffee Lots
The 10 coffee lots being offered for sale as ACE National Winners through this internet auction have scored 85+ by the international jury during the final stage of the Cup of Excellence competition. The designated coffees were blindly cupped throughout the month of June, 2022 by a panel of COE experienced cuppers designated by ACE in Global Coffee Centers (GCC) around the world.
Bidding for these lots is only available through the ACE National Winner Platform on the Alliance for Coffee Excellence website. Each lot is separate and distinct. Samples have been made available. It is the responsibility of the bidder to determine quality and appropriate value.
Packing Information
The buyer can choose between receiving their coffee packed in 69 kg hermetic bags and jute bags with a charge of $0.03/lb, or vacuum packed in 30 kg boxes with a charge of $0.25/lb.
Financial Responsibility for Payment
The individual bidder placing the highest bid at the close of the auction is responsible for the financial payment to the exporter of the entire lot. The exporter may approve multiple payments and multiple shipping instructions for a single lot but only if the successful bidder requests the approval and submits all of the shipping instructions within 7 days of the auction. If the exporter or the country partner denies the request for any reason the bidder will be held liable for the entire payment regardless of group purchase. If a lot is split and sent to more than one destination the buyer will be responsible for additional costs or fees associated with that export.
It is expected by the lead bidder in the auction to collaborate with the exporter facilitating communication and expediting the payment process in the case any setbacks regarding payment or complications in communicating with other buyers from the group are encountered.
Payment Requirements
Full payment of the lot(s)and the packing fee(s) is required prior to shipment unless other requests are made in writing and approved in advance. Cash against documents must also be approved in advance of the auction. Prepayment of the lot is required if moved to another exporter to be shipped. Shipment, quality and delivery responsibility will revert to new exporter.
Full payment is due 30 (thirty) days after the close of the auction regardless of ship date or method. A minimum 2% monthly late fee may be charged for any lots not paid within 30 days.
Shipping Requirements
Shipping instructions are to be sent to The Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica within 7 (seven) days of the close of the auction by the successful bidder or the bidder’s designated importer. Bidders can nominate any importer. A cooperating importer is recommended. These can be found on the ACE website at www.allianceforcoffeeexcellence.org
All Lots must be shipped within 45 days of the auction. No claim may be made to the exporter, farmer, Alliance for Coffee Excellence or Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica on any ACE National Winner lot shipped after 45 days.
All buyers must contact the exporter, coordinators and ACE within 7 days of the close of the auction.
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FOB: t
he seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at his own cost.
FCA: export cleared goods are delivered by the seller to the carrier at the named and defined location mentioned in the contract.
In both cases: All export documents are at the responsibility of exporter to provide. The buyer is responsible for clearing the
shipment at destination with all involved in the process (customs/taxes/paperwork/permits)
** This are approximated costs, can be less or more. When buyer works with a forwarder in origin, export costs are higher and this
differences will be charged to buyer.
THE EXPORTER
Costa Rica ́s nominated exporter is:
All buyers must contact the exporter, coordinators and ACE within 7 days of the close of the auction.
Modification of this Agreement
The Management of Alliance for Coffee Excellence have the right to modify this Agreement and any policies affecting the website. Any modification is effective immediately upon posting to the website or distribution via electronic mail. Your continued use of the auction or website following the notice of any modification shall be deemed your acceptance of the modification(s).
Indemnification, Claims and Disclaimer
Use of this internet auction and ACE website is at the bidder’s own risk. Bidders agrees to hold the Alliance for Coffee Excellence, the Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica, the provider of software, internet services or telecommunications companies for any consequential, incidental and/or liquidated damages if any that may result from or is claimed to result from, the bidder’s participation in the auction. The winning coffees have been selected and scored in blind cuppings. The winning farm and the specific coffee lot information is submitted by each farmer and is not known to the public until the winning coffees have been disclosed following the international stage cuppings held in the GCCs. ACE assumes the farm information is correct and up to date but is not responsible should some information change before or after the auction. Bidders should assess the value of each coffee based on quality in the cup and its appropriateness for their company. Farm information is for educational purposes only but can be used to help sell the winning coffees. All quality claims must be made within 15 days of delivery as per the Green
Coffee Association of NYC ruling but no claim can be made on any coffees shipped more than 45 days after the close of the auction. Should a claim arise, a neutral arbitration panel will be assembled to assess the claim. Bidding at this auction represents a contract to purchase the coffee. Should a buyer default on payment legal remedies will be undertaken.