Frequently Asked Questions
Customer
Can I return an item?
Only products under fashion are eligible for returns, however, all vendors have their individual return policies. When in doubt, reach out to the seller
How long does it take to ship my products?
We dispatch within 48hrs of receiving your order
Merchants/Vendors
How do I get verified after signup?
By uploading your Government issued photo ID, recent utility bill (within 3 months) and your clear passport photograph against a plain background
How do I get my products to your warehouse in Houston, Texas?
That is your responsibility, our responsibility starts when your products arrive at our warehouse in Houston. We encourage vendors in Africa to conduct their due diligence on best possible ways to ship
What if my products expire while in your warehouse or during transportation?
We will discard, we will not ship out expired products. You are advised to only ship out products with considerably long shelf life
Can you pick up shipments from another warehouse in Houston or from the airport, on behalf of a vendor?
No we do not, it must be door-to-door delivery
When can I start selling?
Once you have completed your registration, your account has been verified and your products are in the US, ready for dispatch
How do I get paid?
Via the account details you provided during signup. Click on this link to read about payments & remittances https://tradeexpoafrica.compayment-and-remittances/
When do I get paid?
It is based on request. You will request a withdrawal from your vendor dashboard but this must be at least two weeks after your order shipped to the customer to give ample time for the customer to receive the item/s. Click on this link to read about payments & remittances https://tradeexpoafrica.compayment-and-remittances/
How much is it to warehouse with you?
$25/box/ month and box size is 18” X 18” X 24”. This cost is strictly for vendors selling on our platform only. Click this link to view details:
https://tradeexpoafrica.comvendor-warehousing-subscription/
Vendors can warehouse as many boxes or pay for as many months as desired.
If I warehouse with you, can you help me dispatch my products to my already existing customers who will not shop from your website but rather directly from me?
Yes we can. We charge 15% of the overall product value as our fulfillment fees.
How many boxes can I warehouse at a time?
Vendors can warehouse as many boxes or pay for as many months as desired.
Can I pay in bulk for warehousing e.g For 6 months upfront?
Yes, via this link https://tradeexpoafrica.comvendor-warehousing-subscription/
Click “details” at the top right corner of your invoice to edit quantity
Send an email to us via info@tradeexpoafrica.com immediately after payment with the following information: Name of storefront on the website and what you paid for. Your payment will be confirmed within 24-48 hours.
Can you make international transfers to vendors with accounts in Africa?
Yes, kindly click on this link to read about payments & remittances https://tradeexpoafrica.compayment-and-remittances/
What are your commissions?
They can be reviewed using this link https://tradeexpoafrica.comvendor-membership/
Can I list as many products as I want?
Yes, however, free listing is limited to 5 products, anything more than that will require you to upgrade your vendorship plan. Review here https://tradeexpoafrica.comvendor-membership/
How does a merchant request payout?
It is based on request. You will click on the “withdrawal” request button at the top right of your dashboard to initiate the request. Vendors can only request withdrawals two weeks after product shipment to the customer, to give ample time for the customer to receive the item/s. Click on this link to read about payments & remittances https://tradeexpoafrica.compayment-and-remittances/
What happens if I do not pay my warehousing fees if I warehouse with you?
We will sell your items to recoup our warehousing costs and this will include handling fees
What if I am selling the same item but in different sizes, will this affect the number of my allowed product listings?
No, for example, if you are selling a dress in small, medium, large and extra large, that will be considered as just one listing. If you are selling a particular design in different colors, that will also be considered one listing. When design is different, then the listings are not the same
Who fulfills the orders for me as a vendor?
If you warehouse your products with us, we will and you will not have to worry about that. It is already included in your warehousing fees. If you store your products yourself within the US or you store with family and friends, then you or your family are responsible for sending products to consumers. For accountability and professionalism, we encourage you to warehouse with us
What if customs seizes my items?
That will be addressed between you and your shipper. TEXA has no involvement or influence in that area and usually neither will your shipper be able to influence anything. Seizures are at the sole discretion of the relevant government agencies
Will you market our products for us?
We will generally market the site to the public, however, specific product marketing is for those under paid vendor membership. Review pricing here https://tradeexpoafrica.comvendor-membership/
Can customers return items?
Only products under fashion are eligible for returns, however, it is advisable for vendors to set up their return policies, if any, during product upload. If it is a “no return allowed” and if returns are allowed, what are the conditions?
What documentation do you require from vendors?
Government issued photo ID, recent utility bill (within 3 months) and your clear passport photograph against a plain background
How do I verify my email?
By looking out for the email verification mail in your inbox or spam mail. Follow the instructions and verify your email.
What next after I verify/activate my email?
Login to your account, click “settings” and click the “verification” tab on the upper right screen, upload the necessary documentation and submit. Wait for a TEXA representative to approve or reject your submission. If rejected, reasons will be explained to you. After approval, you can proceed to upload your products.
What next after I have uploaded my documents and I have been approved as a verified vendor?
Login to your account, click “Products” - “Add New” to start uploading. We recommend that you ensure your products are within the US before going live on your storefront so that once customers order your products, they are available for immediate shipment.
Can a US based vendor sell on your site?
Yes, only if they warehouse their products with us, this is because our platform only has one shipping system integrated to it and all shipments are from our warehouse. Payments for shipments would have also been made during customer checkout and that has been calculated based on distance from our warehouse to the customer's delivery address.
As a US based vendor, how do I receive my shipping cost if I ship directly to the customer?
You cannot ship directly to customers. You can only be a vendor on our platform if you warehouse your products with us, this is because our platform only has one shipping system integrated to it and all shipments are from our warehouse address. Payments for shipments would have also been made during customer checkout and that has been calculated based on distance from our warehouse to the customer's delivery address.