Townie Mart is a Nizamabad-based B2B agro export company. All shipments are processed as commercial export orders. This policy outlines our shipping procedures, timelines, documentation, and responsibilities for domestic and international buyers.
01 Order Processing
- All orders begin with a formal enquiry and quotation process. We do not process orders without a confirmed Purchase Order (PO) or pro-forma invoice acceptance.
- Order processing time is 3–7 business days from receipt of confirmed PO and advance payment (where applicable).
- Orders placed during Indian public holidays or harvest seasons may experience additional lead time.
- Minimum order quantities (MOQ) apply per product — please refer to individual product pages or request a quote.
02 Shipping Modes
We ship via the following methods depending on product type, quantity, and destination:
- Sea Freight (FCL / LCL) — standard for bulk orders of dry goods (rice, turmeric). Most cost-effective for large volumes.
- Air Freight — available for urgent or smaller consignments. Higher cost; suitable for samples or premium products.
- Reefer / Cold Chain — for fresh produce such as mangoes, using temperature-controlled containers.
- Courier (DHL / FedEx / Aramex) — for sample shipments and small parcels under 30 kg.
Primary dispatch ports: Chennai (INMAA), Hyderabad Air Cargo (INHYD), or Krishnapatnam (INKRI) depending on product and routing.
03 Incoterms & Pricing
We support the following Incoterms 2020:
- FOB (Free On Board) — we deliver goods to the origin port; buyer arranges freight and insurance.
- CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) — we cover cost, insurance, and freight to destination port.
- EXW (Ex Works) — buyer collects from our facility in Nizamabad, Telangana.
- CFR (Cost & Freight) — we cover freight to destination port; buyer arranges insurance.
The agreed Incoterm will be stated on the pro-forma invoice and final commercial invoice. All prices are quoted in USD unless otherwise agreed.
04 Transit Times
| Destination Region | Sea Freight | Air Freight |
|---|
| Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia) | 12–18 days | 3–5 days |
| Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia) | 10–15 days | 3–4 days |
| Europe (UK, Netherlands, Germany) | 20–28 days | 5–7 days |
| North Africa (Egypt, Morocco) | 16–22 days | 4–6 days |
| East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) | 14–20 days | 4–5 days |
| North America (USA, Canada) | 25–35 days | 6–8 days |
Transit times are estimates only and may vary due to port congestion, weather, customs delays, or force majeure events.
05 Export Documentation
We provide all standard export documents required for customs clearance:
- Commercial Invoice & Packing List
- Bill of Lading (sea) / Airway Bill (air)
- Certificate of Origin (CoO) — issued by FIEO / Chamber of Commerce
- Phytosanitary Certificate — issued by NPPO India (for plant-based products)
- Health Certificate / FSSAI Certificate (where required)
- Quality / Lab Analysis Certificate
- APEDA Registration Certificate (for eligible products)
- Fumigation Certificate (where required by destination country)
Additional certificates (e.g. Halal, Organic, ISO) can be arranged upon request and may incur additional cost and lead time.
06 Packaging & Labelling
- All products are packed in export-grade, moisture-resistant packaging suitable for sea and air transit.
- Standard packaging: jute bags, PP woven bags, corrugated cartons, or vacuum-sealed pouches depending on product.
- Custom branding, private labelling, and OEM packaging are available for qualifying order volumes.
- Labels comply with destination country food labelling regulations including net weight, ingredients, country of origin, and best-before date.
- Pallet and container stuffing is done in accordance with ISPM-15 phytosanitary standards.
07 Customs & Import Duties
For CIF/CFR shipments, we handle Indian export customs clearance. However:
- Import duties, taxes, VAT, and customs clearance in the destination country are the buyer's sole responsibility.
- We strongly recommend buyers confirm applicable HS codes and import restrictions with their local customs authority before placing orders.
- We are not liable for delays or additional charges arising from customs inspection or regulatory non-compliance in the destination country.
08 Cold Chain & Perishables
- Fresh mangoes and other perishable produce are handled with temperature-controlled storage prior to dispatch.
- Reefer containers (refrigerated sea freight) or cold-pack air freight are used as appropriate.
- We work with certified cold-chain logistics partners from farm gate to port.
- For perishable goods, orders must be confirmed at least 10 business days in advance to ensure freshness and availability.
- Shelf life at time of dispatch is guaranteed to be at least 70% of total shelf life.
09 Damage & Loss
- All shipments are covered by marine cargo insurance (under CIF terms). Under FOB/EXW, the buyer is responsible for arranging insurance.
- Claims for damage or loss must be reported within 7 days of delivery with photographic evidence and a surveyor's report.
- We are not liable for damage caused by improper handling after delivery, force majeure, or acts of the shipping carrier beyond our control.
- Quality disputes must be raised within 48 hours of delivery for perishable goods.
10 Order Tracking
- Upon shipment, we will provide the Bill of Lading / AWB number and shipping line / courier tracking link via email or WhatsApp.
- Buyers can track shipments directly with the carrier using the provided reference numbers.
- For any shipping queries, our team is available Monday–Saturday, 9 AM–6 PM IST.
