Shipping & Returns for Aluminum Profile Orders

1. Scope

This page explains how Grownparts ships aluminum profiles, extrusions and CNC machined components to customers worldwide, what happens if a shipment is damaged or short, and how returns, cancellations and refunds are handled.

This page supplements our Terms & Conditions. Where the two differ, the order confirmation and the Terms & Conditions prevail.

2. Shipping Terms (Incoterms)

Unless agreed otherwise in writing, we quote and ship on the following basis:

Term	What it means
FOB (Free On Board)	Our default term. We deliver the goods to the named Chinese port and load them on board. Risk passes to you once the goods are on board; you arrange and pay for main freight and insurance.
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)	We arrange and pay for shipping to your named destination port, including marine insurance. Risk passes to you once the goods are on board, as with FOB.
EXW (Ex Works)	Available on request. You collect from our facility and arrange all transport, export clearance and insurance.
DDP / DAP	Available for some destinations by prior agreement. Please ask our sales team to confirm feasibility and pricing.

We also ship by air and express courier for samples, urgent replacement parts and small hardware orders.

3. Production Lead Time

Lead time depends on whether your order uses a standard profile or requires a new extrusion die.

Order type	Typical lead time
Standard profiles from stock	Typically 5–10 working days after order confirmation and receipt of deposit.
Cut-to-size from existing dies	Typically 15–20 days, depending on quantity and surface finish.
Custom extrusion (new die required)	Typically 25–40 days, including die manufacturing and first-article approval.
CNC machining to drawing	Typically 15–25 days after drawing approval, depending on complexity and quantity.
Samples	Usually dispatched within 3–7 working days for stock items.

Lead times are estimates and begin from the later of written order confirmation, receipt of the deposit, and approval of final drawings. Peak periods — such as before Chinese New Year — may extend lead times, and we will advise you in advance.

4. Packing and Protection

Aluminum surfaces are easily marked, so we treat packing as part of the product:

Surface protection — protective film on anodized and coated profiles where appropriate;
Interleaving — profiles separated to prevent rubbing and abrasion in transit;
Bundling — profiles banded into stable bundles with edge protection;
Export packing — wooden cases, pallets or cartons, fumigated and marked to comply with destination requirements;
Machined parts — individually wrapped and cartoned, with desiccant where humidity is a risk;
Labelling — part number, quantity and handling instructions marked on each package.

If you have specific packing, marking or pallet requirements, tell us at the quotation stage so we can build them into the cost.

5. Shipping Documents

Standard export documentation includes:

Commercial invoice and packing list;
Bill of Lading (sea freight) or Air Waybill (air freight);
Certificate of Origin, where required;
Material certificates or inspection reports, on request;
Any destination-specific certificates agreed at the quotation stage.

Please confirm your documentation requirements early — some certificates take additional time to obtain.

6. Customs, Duties and Taxes

Unless DDP terms are agreed in writing, the Buyer is responsible for:

Import duties, tariffs and value-added tax at destination;
Customs clearance and any broker fees;
Any anti-dumping or trade-remedy duties applicable to aluminum products at destination;
Providing accurate importer details and any required licences.

We are not able to advise on the duty position in your country. We recommend confirming tariff treatment with your customs broker before ordering, particularly for aluminum extrusions, where trade-remedy measures apply in several markets.

7. Tracking and Delivery

Once goods leave our facility we provide shipping advice by email, including the carrier, bill or waybill number, container number and estimated arrival date. For sea freight, we will share the vessel schedule and updated ETAs if it changes.

Delivery dates are estimates provided by the carrier. Where goods are not collected or cleared promptly, storage and demurrage charges are for the Buyer’s account.

8. Damage, Loss or Shortage

If your shipment arrives damaged, short or with visible handling issues:

Note it on the delivery receipt before signing, and photograph the packaging and contents;
Notify the carrier immediately — most carriers impose short notification deadlines;
Contact us within 7 days at [email protected] with photographs, the packing list reference, the quantity affected and a description of the deviation.

We will investigate with the carrier and, where the claim is valid, arrange replacement or credit for the affected portion.

9. Returns and Cancellation

Because most of our output is made to customer specification, the following rules apply:

Item	Return / cancellation position
Standard stock items, unconverted	Returnable within 30 days of delivery by prior written agreement, in original packaging and condition. Return freight and a restocking charge may apply.
Cut-to-size lengths	Not returnable once cut, as they cannot be resold as standard stock.
Custom extrusions made to a new die	Not returnable. You may still claim under warranty if the goods do not conform to the approved drawing.
Custom machined parts	Not returnable. Warranty claims for non-conformity are handled under clause 11.
Order cancellation	Possible before production begins. After extrusion or machining has started, work completed and non-cancellable materials may be invoiced.

No return may be sent without a written return authorisation from us. Unauthorised returns may be refused or returned at your cost.

10. Refunds and Remedies

Where a valid claim is accepted, we will at our option:

Repair or rework the affected goods;
Replace the affected goods in a subsequent shipment;
Issue a credit note or refund for the affected portion.

Remedies are limited to the invoice value of the affected goods. We are not liable for consequential losses such as lost production or substitute-purchase costs — see our Terms & Conditions.

11. Warranty Claims

Our standard warranty covers defects in material and workmanship for 12 months from delivery. To make a claim, send us:

Your order or invoice reference;
Product code and quantity affected;
A clear description of the issue and how it was identified;
Photographs or, where relevant, measurement records;
Details of the application and installation, where that is relevant to the claim.

We will acknowledge your claim promptly and advise on the next step, which may include returning a sample for inspection.

12. Common Questions

Do you ship small sample orders?

Yes. We supply free samples for many standard profiles, with the customer covering freight. Samples of stock items are usually dispatched within 3–7 working days.

Can you ship to multiple destinations from one order?

Yes, where the quantities allow. Please provide the full delivery breakdown at the quotation stage so we can price the freight and packing correctly.

Who insures the goods in transit?

On CIF terms we arrange marine insurance to the named destination port. On FOB and EXW terms, insurance is the Buyer’s responsibility and we recommend arranging all-risk cover.

Can you pack goods for automated handling lines?

Yes. Tell us your pallet type, maximum weight, stacking limits and any barcode or labelling standards, and we will build packing to match.

13. Contact

For shipping, delivery or returns questions, contact our export team:

Company	Dalian Grownparts Industrial Co., Ltd.
Email	[email protected]
Please include	Your quotation or order reference, product code and destination port