Almarte – Legal & Policies (EU only)

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Version: October 2025

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1. OPERATOR INFORMATION

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This online store is operated by one of the following food business operators (FBO):

A) Austrian operator:

   Coffeeforsoul GmbH

   Betriebsstraße 12

   A-4213 Unterweitersdorf, Austria

   VAT-ID: ATU77499904

B) Polish operator:

   Fundacja Almarte

   Al. Zwycięstwa 241/13

   81-521 Gdynia, Poland

   KRS 0001172885

   REGON 541728665

   EU VAT: PL5862417539

The responsible operator is stated on the invoice and on the product label in accordance with Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 (FIC).

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2. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

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This document complies with and refers to the following EU laws:

- Directive 2000/31/EC (e-Commerce Directive)

- Directive 2011/83/EU (Consumer Rights Directive)

- Directive (EU) 2019/771 (Sale of Goods Directive)

- Regulation (EC) 178/2002 (General Food Law)

- Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 (Food Information to Consumers)

- Regulation (EU) 2018/848 (Organic Production and Labelling)

- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR)

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3. PRODUCTS AND ORGANIC CERTIFICATION (BIO)

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All food products offered, including ceremonial cacao, are certified organic (BIO) under Regulation (EU) 2018/848.

Each package bears:

- the EU organic logo,

- the control body code,

- and the statement of origin, e.g. "Dominican Republic Agriculture".

Products remain part of a traceable organic supply chain compliant with Articles 17–19 of Regulation (EC) 178/2002 and Article 35 of Regulation (EU) 2018/848.

Storage instructions: keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Do not open before consumption to maintain organic integrity.

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4. PRICES AND PAYMENT

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All prices are displayed in EUR and include VAT according to Directive 2006/112/EC.

Delivery charges are shown before checkout completion.

Accepted payment methods: credit/debit card, SEPA transfer, PayPal, or other options listed on the website.

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5. ORDER AND CONTRACT FORMATION

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1. The customer selects products and completes checkout.

2. The contract is concluded once the seller sends an email confirmation.

3. The customer must provide accurate data.

(Legal basis: Article 8 of Directive 2011/83/EU)

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6. SHIPPING & DELIVERY POLICY

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Delivery area: European Union Member States and selected EEA destinations.

Processing time: 1–3 working days after payment confirmation.

Typical delivery time: 2–6 working days within the EU.

Packaging is recyclable, food-grade (Reg. 1935/2004).

During warm months, temperature-stable packaging is used.

Risk passes to the customer upon physical receipt (Article 20 Directive 2011/83/EU).

If a parcel is damaged, the customer should:

- note the damage on delivery,

- notify the courier,

- and contact the seller within 24 hours.

Undelivered or unclaimed parcels: the cost of re-shipping is borne by the customer.

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7. RETURN & REFUND POLICY

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7.1 Right of withdrawal

Consumers have a right to withdraw within 14 days (Articles 9–14 Directive 2011/83/EU).

Notification must be sent by email. The customer pays return shipping.

7.2 Exceptions for food products

The right of withdrawal does NOT apply to:

- goods that may deteriorate or expire rapidly,

- sealed goods unsuitable for return for health or hygiene reasons once opened,

- foods that have left controlled storage and whose safety or BIO integrity cannot be guaranteed.

(Article 16 (d)-(e) Directive 2011/83/EU, Regulation 178/2002, Regulation 2018/848)

Therefore, ceremonial cacao and similar foods cannot be returned once opened or stored improperly.

Sealed goods may be returned within 14 days if:

- unopened,

- stored correctly (cool, dry, no sunlight),

- within the best-before date.

7.3 Procedure

1. Contact us within 14 days of delivery.

2. Wait for authorization and return instructions.

3. Send back sealed products with the invoice copy.

Refunds are issued within 14 days after inspection.

(Legal basis: Article 13 Directive 2011/83/EU)

7.4 Exclusions / reductions

Refund may be refused if:

- storage was improper (heat, humidity),

- seal broken,

- BIO integrity lost.

7.5 Defective or damaged goods

Report within 48 hours (include photos). After verification, we send a replacement or refund (Directive (EU) 2019/771).

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TABLE: Summary of Return Rules

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| Situation                           | Return possible? | Legal Basis                          |

|------------------------------------|------------------|--------------------------------------|

| Sealed, stored correctly           | YES (14 days)    | Art. 9–14 Directive 2011/83/EU       |

| Opened / unsealed                  | NO               | Art. 16(e) Directive 2011/83/EU      |

| Spoiled / improper storage         | NO               | Art. 16(d), Reg. 178/2002            |

| Defective upon delivery            | YES              | Directive (EU) 2019/771              |

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8. CONFORMITY AND COMPLAINTS

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The seller is liable for lack of conformity existing at delivery (Directive (EU) 2019/771).

Complaints should be sent to the contact email. Response within 14 days.

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9. DATA PROTECTION (GDPR)

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Controller: Coffeeforsoul GmbH or Fundacja Almarte (joint controllers – Article 26 GDPR).

Purpose of processing:

- order processing and delivery,

- invoicing and accounting,

- customer service,

- legal compliance (traceability, VAT),

- internal analytics and fraud prevention.

Legal basis:

- contract performance (Art. 6(1)(b)),

- legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)),

- legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f)),

- consent for marketing (Art. 6(1)(a)).

Data retention: 7 years (statutory accounting period).

Customer rights:

- access, rectification, erasure, restriction,

- portability, objection (Arts. 15–21 GDPR).

Requests: send to [insert email].

Security: SSL encryption, restricted access, EU hosting.

Cookies: essential for operation; analytics only with consent (Directive 2002/58/EC).

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10. DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND APPLICABLE LAW

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Consumers may use the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform:

https://ec.europa.eu/odr

Applicable law: Polish law.

Jurisdiction: common court having jurisdiction over the registered office of Fundacja Almarte, Gdynia, Poland.

This choice of law does not deprive consumers resident in another EU Member State of mandatory consumer rights under their national law (Art. 6 Rome I Regulation).

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11. FINAL PROVISIONS

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If any provision of this document is invalid, the remaining provisions remain in force.

The seller may amend these policies to maintain compliance with current EU and national law.

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REFERENCES

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Directive 2011/83/EU – Consumer Rights

Directive (EU) 2019/771 – Sale of Goods

Regulation (EC) 178/2002 – General Food Law

Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 – Food Information to Consumers (FIC)

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 – Organic Production (BIO)

Regulation (EU) 2016/679 – GDPR

Directive 2006/112/EC – VAT

Directive 2002/58/EC – ePrivacy (Cookies)

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