1. Order Processing Time

Orders are processed within 1–3 business days after payment is confirmed and cleared. Processing time includes order verification, warehouse picking, pallet building, and freight booking. Orders placed on weekends or U.S. federal holidays begin processing the following business day.

SAM will send an order dispatch notification by email once your freight is booked with the carrier, including the carrier name and tracking reference (PRO number for LTL, BOL number for truckload, container number for ocean freight).

2. Shipping Terms — FOB Origin

Unless a different Incoterm is agreed upon in writing prior to order placement, all shipments are made under FOB (Free On Board) Origin terms, meaning:

• Title transfers to the Buyer when the freight is tendered to the carrier at SAM's warehouse;
• Risk of loss transfers to the Buyer at the same point;
• SAM is not responsible for freight costs, insurance, loss, damage, or delay after the freight transfer point;
• Buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for freight insurance.

For international orders, SAM can quote alternative Incoterms® upon request (CIF — Cost, Insurance & Freight; DAP — Delivered At Place; or DDP — Delivered Duty Paid for select destinations). Contact support@saminusa.shop before placing your order to arrange alternative shipping terms.

3. Domestic Freight (U.S.)

3.1 LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)

Orders of 1–6 pallets are typically shipped via LTL freight carriers. Estimated transit time is 3–7 business days depending on origin and destination. Liftgate service at delivery can be arranged for an additional fee — please specify this requirement when placing your order. All LTL deliveries require a business address; residential delivery is not available.

3.2 FTL (Full Truckload)

Orders of 7+ pallets or by special arrangement can be shipped via full truckload. Transit time is typically 1–5 business days. A loading dock or forklift is required at the delivery location.

3.3 Buyer-Arranged Freight

Buyers may arrange their own carrier pickup from SAM's warehouse. To do so, you must provide: (a) carrier name and contact information; (b) pickup date and time window (minimum 24-hour advance notice required); and (c) a Bill of Lading or BOL number. SAM is not responsible for delays or damages resulting from buyer-arranged carriers.

4. International Shipping

4.1 Ocean Freight

International orders are typically shipped via ocean freight in 20' or 40' containers (FCL — Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than Container Load) consolidation. Estimated transit times from the U.S. East Coast:

• Gulf (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman): 20–35 days
• Egypt, North Africa: 15–25 days
• West Africa: 20–35 days
• Europe: 12–20 days
• Southeast Asia: 25–40 days

Transit times are estimates only and may vary due to port conditions, vessel schedules, and customs clearance delays.

4.2 Air Freight

Air freight is available for urgent, lower-weight shipments. Transit time is typically 3–7 business days door-to-door after export clearance. Air freight rates vary significantly by weight and destination; contact us for a quote.

4.3 Export Documentation

For international shipments, SAM provides the following standard export documents:

• Commercial Invoice (in USD)
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
• Certificate of Origin (upon request, additional lead time may apply)

The following documents may be available upon request with advance notice (minimum 72 hours before ship date):

• Phytosanitary Certificate (for applicable products)
• Health Certificate
• Certificate of Free Sale
• FDA Registration documentation
• Halal or Kosher Certificates (product-specific; third-party issued)

5. Customs, Duties, and Import Compliance

The Buyer is solely responsible for all import duties, customs clearance fees, value-added taxes (VAT), port charges, and any other costs associated with importing goods into the destination country.

Our portal includes a Landed Cost Calculator that provides estimates of customs duties based on HS codes and destination country tariff rates. These are estimates only — actual duties may differ based on customs classification decisions, local regulations, and applicable trade agreements. SAM shall not be liable for any discrepancy between estimated and actual customs costs.

Buyer is responsible for ensuring that all products comply with the import regulations of the destination country, including but not limited to: food safety standards, labeling requirements, halal/kosher certification requirements, and any product-specific import restrictions.

6. Temperature-Sensitive and Refrigerated Products

Certain products in our catalog require temperature-controlled storage and transportation (refrigerated: 35–40°F / 2–4°C; frozen: 0°F / -18°C or below). For such products:

• Buyer is responsible for arranging temperature-controlled freight (reefer truck, refrigerated container);
• SAM will hold refrigerated and frozen products at proper temperatures until carrier pickup;
• Once freight transfers to the carrier or buyer-arranged transport, SAM is not responsible for temperature excursions;
• No claims for spoilage or temperature-related damage will be accepted for products that left SAM's warehouse in proper condition, where the temperature deviation occurred after freight transfer.

Temperature requirements for each product are indicated on the product page in the portal (Temp Min / Temp Max fields).

7. Pallet and Freight Requirements

All shipments are palletized. SAM uses standard 48" × 40" GMA pallets. Pallets are stretch-wrapped and corner-boarded for stability. Maximum pallet height is 72 inches including pallet. Maximum pallet weight is 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg).

For international ocean freight, all wood pallets are ISPM-15 heat-treated and appropriately stamped as required for international shipment. Buyers requiring fumigation certificates or alternative pallet materials must notify SAM at order placement.

8. Delivery, Inspection, and Acceptance

Upon delivery, Buyer is required to:

• Inspect all pallets for visible damage before signing the carrier's delivery receipt / Bill of Lading;
• Count the number of pallets and verify against the packing list;
• Note any visible damage, shortage, or discrepancy directly on the carrier's delivery receipt before signing;
• Retain a copy of the signed delivery receipt.

Signing the carrier's delivery receipt without noting damage constitutes acceptance of goods in good condition and waives any claim for visible damage.

9. Damage and Shortage Claims

Claims for freight damage or shortage must be submitted within five (5) business days of the delivery date. To file a claim, email support@saminusa.shop with:

• Your order number and invoice number;
• Photographs of damaged goods, damaged packaging, and the full pallet (before unloading if possible);
• A copy of the signed Bill of Lading or delivery receipt showing the damage notation;
• A detailed written description of the damage or shortage (itemized by SKU);
• The carrier's name and PRO/BOL number.

Claims submitted after five (5) business days will not be considered. SAM's liability is limited to the replacement value of verified damaged or missing goods. See Section 11 of our Terms & Conditions for the full remedies available.

10. Freight Delays and Force Majeure

SAM is not liable for delays in transit caused by carrier, weather, customs holds, port congestion, strikes, government actions, or any other circumstances beyond SAM's reasonable control. Estimated transit times are provided as a guide only and do not constitute a guaranteed delivery date. Buyers with time-sensitive delivery requirements should discuss this with SAM before placing an order.

11. Contact — Shipping Questions

For freight quotes, shipping arrangements, or document requests, contact us at: