Made in Middle-East

1. INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Made in Middle-East ("we", "our", "us"). These Terms of Use and Privacy Policy govern your access to and use of our business-to-business (B2B) online platform, which connects buyers and verified sellers. By using the platform, you agree to be bound by these terms.

2. USER ELIGIBILITY

• Anyone over 18 may register to browse or buy.
• To sell, users must provide a valid VAT number and pass our verification process.

3. ACCOUNT REGISTRATION

• You agree to provide accurate, current information during registration.
• You are responsible for all activity under your account and must keep credentials secure.

4. PLATFORM SERVICES

• Product listings and supplier discovery
• In-platform messaging
• Escrow and payment protection
• Logistics and transport support
• Dispute resolution tools
• All transactions must occur within the platform to qualify for protections.

5. USER OBLIGATIONS

• You agree not to:
  • Post illegal or misleading content
  • Bypass the platform for off-platform deals
  • Interfere with other users or platform integrity
  • Infringe on intellectual property rights
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any user who violates these terms.

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

• All content and software on the platform is owned by or licensed to Made in Middle-East. You may not copy, distribute, or reuse any part of the platform without permission.

7. TERMINATION

• We may suspend or delete your account if you breach these terms. You may also close your account at any time.

8. GOVERNING LAW

• These terms are governed by the laws of Belgium and applicable EU regulations. Any disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of Belgian courts unless otherwise required by consumer protection laws.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES & DISCLAIMERS

1. WHAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ✅

We take the following responsibilities seriously to provide a secure, functioning platform for B2B trade:

• 1.1 Platform Availability: We strive to ensure continuous access to the website and services, subject to occasional maintenance and updates.
• 1.2 User Verification (Sellers): We verify seller identities by requiring a valid VAT number and related business documentation.
• 1.3 Secure Transactions: We provide secure, in-platform payment processing and escrow services to protect buyers and sellers during transactions.
• 1.4 Transport Protection: We offer logistics support and coverage for selected shipments processed through our approved carriers.
• 1.5 Dispute Resolution: We provide a neutral channel for resolving disputes between buyers and sellers, including moderation and review of transaction history.
• 1.6 Data Privacy & Security: We handle user data in compliance with GDPR and other relevant privacy regulations, using secure cloud infrastructure.

2. WHAT WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ❌

While we moderate the platform and offer transaction protection, Made in Middle-East is not liable for:

• 2.1 Product Quality or Authenticity: We do not guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or origin of products listed by users. It is the buyer’s responsibility to conduct due diligence before purchase.
• 2.2 User Conduct: We cannot control or be held liable for the behavior, honesty, or communication of individual buyers or sellers.
• 2.3 Off-Platform Agreements: Any transaction, agreement, or communication that occurs outside of our platform is not protected and is entirely at your own risk.
• 2.4 Customs, Duties & Import Laws: Buyers and sellers are responsible for compliance with their local import/export regulations, taxes, duties, and documentation.
• 2.5 Delays or Loss Caused by Third Parties: We are not responsible for delivery delays, damages, or losses caused by third-party logistics companies, customs authorities, or force majeure events.
• 2.6 Platform Downtime or Data Loss: While we implement strong protections, we cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from temporary platform outages, system bugs, or user data loss.

3. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

All services are provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. We disclaim all implied warranties, including but not limited to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

4. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent allowed by law:

• Our liability to any user shall not exceed the total service fees paid by that user in the 12 months prior to the event giving rise to the claim.
• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including lost profits or data.

5. CONTACT & REPORTING

If you experience fraud, abuse, or platform misuse, report it immediately to:
📧 support@middleeastb2b.com

We will investigate promptly and take action where appropriate.

📄 PRIVACY POLICY

1. DATA CONTROLLER

• The data controller is Made in Middle-East, located in Belgium.

2. DATA WE COLLECT

• Identification (name, company, VAT number)
• Contact details (email, phone)
• Login credentials
• Transaction records
• Messages between users
• Technical data (IP, browser info)

3. HOW WE USE YOUR DATA

• Operate and improve the platform
• Facilitate transactions and communications
• Verify sellers
• Ensure safety and prevent fraud
• Provide customer support
• Comply with legal obligations

4. LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING (GDPR)

• Consent (e.g. newsletters)
• Contractual necessity (e.g. order handling)
• Legal obligations (e.g. VAT reporting)
• Legitimate interests (e.g. platform security)

5. DATA SHARING

• Payment processors
• Logistics partners
• Dispute resolution services
• Cloud providers (Google Cloud/Firebase — servers may be in the EU or U.S.)
• Transfers outside the EU follow appropriate safeguards (e.g. SCCs, DPF).

6. YOUR RIGHTS UNDER GDPR

• Access, correct, or delete your data
• Withdraw consent at any time
• Object to certain processing
• Request data portability
• Lodge complaints with your local data authority

7. DATA RETENTION

• We retain data only as long as necessary for platform operation, legal compliance, or dispute resolution.

8. SECURITY

• We take technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including encryption and secure hosting through Google Cloud and Firebase.

9. COOKIES

• We use essential cookies to operate the platform and analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics). You can manage your cookie preferences in your browser.

10. CONTACT

• For privacy or legal questions, contact:
  📧 support@middleeastb2b.com
  📍 Made in Middle-East, Belgium