Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern all purchases of TeaVessel products (porcelain tea cups, Yixing-style ceramic cups, borosilicate glass tea cups, and related accessories like cup saucers or travel sleeves) (collectively “Products”) from TeaVessel Craft Co. (“Company,” “we,” “us”). By placing an order via our website, authorized retailers, or customer service channels, you (“Customer,” “you”) agree to these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and all product-specific care guidelines (e.g., porcelain handling instructions, Yixing clay maintenance guides) provided at the time of purchase.
1. Order Acceptance & Modifications
Your order constitutes a request to purchase Products, not a binding contract. We reserve the right to accept, reject, or adjust orders if: (a) Standard Products are out of stock (e.g., limited-edition blue willow porcelain cups, hand-painted bamboo glass cups); (b) Custom order specifications are unfeasible (e.g., personalized engravings on thin borosilicate glass that risk cracking, non-standard porcelain cup sizes exceeding craftsmanship limits); or (c) Payment verification fails (e.g., fraudulent credit card activity, incomplete bank transfers for high-value custom sets). A binding contract is formed only when we issue a written order confirmation (email or physical document) including product details (material type, design, quantity), total cost (taxes, shipping, custom fees), production timelines (3–5 business days for standard cups, 2–3 weeks for handcrafted/custom designs), and any required deposits.
Post-confirmation modifications (e.g., changing a Yixing cup’s glaze color from “natural earth” to “charcoal,” adding a monogram to a porcelain saucer) must be submitted in writing within 48 hours of confirmation. We will confirm feasibility and cost/timeline adjustments (e.g.,
60 for custom engravings, 1 extra week for glaze changes). For handcrafted or custom Products (e.g., personalized gongfu cup sets, engraved gift bundles), modifications are prohibited once production begins (typically 2 business days post-confirmation); cancellations result in forfeiture of the 25% non-refundable deposit (to cover material sourcing and initial artisanal work).
2. Product Specifications & Material Disclosures
All TeaVessel Products adhere to global safety standards for food-contact items (FDA Title 21 for ceramics/glass, EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004). Product pages and manuals clearly list key specs: material composition (e.g., “2mm-thick borosilicate glass,” “100% natural Yixing clay”), dimensions (height, diameter, capacity), weight, heat resistance (e.g., “safe for -20°C to 300°C for glass cups”), and care requirements (e.g., “hand-wash only for unglazed Yixing cups,” “avoid sudden temperature changes for porcelain”).
Critical material disclosures:
  • Handcrafted Porcelain: Minor variations in glaze texture, color depth, or rim smoothness are inherent to artisanal production—no two cups are identical. These differences (e.g., subtle glaze speckles, slight diameter variations) do not qualify as defects and reflect the product’s unique craftsmanship.
  • Yixing Clay: Unglazed Yixing cups absorb tea oils over time, enhancing flavor—this is intentional and not a flaw. New Yixing cups require “seasoning” (steeping with tea 2–3 times before regular use); we provide a seasoning guide with every Yixing purchase.
  • Borosilicate Glass: While highly heat-resistant, glass may develop small, harmless “seed bubbles” during production—these do not affect durability or safety. Glass is fragile; we are not liable for damage from drops, impacts, or improper use (e.g., using a glass cup for microwave heating beyond 2 minutes).
3. Payment Terms
  • Methods: We accept major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), debit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers (for orders over $500, including custom gift sets or bulk purchases for tea houses). Commercial customers (e.g., cafes, tea boutiques ordering 10+ cup sets) may qualify for net-30 payment terms (subject to credit approval via business documentation).
  • Deposits: A 25% non-refundable deposit is required for custom/handcrafted Products and bulk orders. Standard in-stock Products require full payment at checkout (no deposit).
  • Pricing: Prices are listed in U.S. dollars (USD) for U.S. orders; international orders use local currency (EUR, GBP, JPY) with real-time exchange rates. Prices include applicable sales tax (excluding international orders—customs duties, import taxes, and brokerage fees are your responsibility). Quotes for custom sets are valid for 5 days; prices may adjust due to material cost increases (e.g., premium Yixing clay, limited-edition glazes).
  • Late Payments: For commercial installment plans, unpaid balances incur a 2% monthly late fee. We may delay shipment of custom Products or charge a restocking fee (15% of total order value) if payment is 10+ days overdue.
4. Shipping & Delivery
  • Domestic Shipping (U.S.): Free standard shipping (3–5 business days) for orders over
    75 incur a
    18 fee (based on size/weight:
    18 for 6-piece porcelain sets). Premium shipping (2–3 business days with signature confirmation) is available for
    30; this is recommended for fragile Products (e.g., glass gongfu cups, Yixing sets). All shipments include custom protective packaging (foam inserts, bubble wrap, rigid boxes) to minimize breakage risk.
  • International Shipping: Available to 28 countries (EU, Canada, Japan, Australia) with fees ranging from
    80 (depending on destination and product fragility). Delivery times (7–14 business days) are subject to customs delays; we provide a tracking number for all international orders. You must inspect packages immediately upon receipt—note damage (e.g., cracked porcelain, shattered glass) on the courier’s delivery slip, take photos of packaging and the product, and notify us within 48 hours. We will arrange a free replacement or full refund for shipping-related damage; failure to report damage within 48 hours voids coverage.
  • Gift Shipping: For gift orders, we offer complimentary gift wrapping (recycled paper, ribbon) and a handwritten note (per your request). Gift recipients must still inspect for damage upon delivery—reports follow the same 48-hour timeline.
5. Warranties & Returns
  • Warranties: All TeaVessel Products include a limited warranty: 3 years for porcelain/Yixing cups (covers manufacturing defects like glaze peeling, handle detachment under normal use), 2 years for borosilicate glass cups (covers defects like spontaneous cracking, faulty seams), and 1 year for accessories (e.g., travel sleeves, saucers). The warranty excludes: (a) Normal wear (e.g., minor scratches on glass, tea staining on unglazed Yixing); (b) Damage from misuse (e.g., dropping a cup, using abrasive cleaners on porcelain); (c) Repairs by non-TeaVessel authorized parties. Extended warranties (up to 5 years for porcelain/Yixing) are available for purchase at checkout.
  • Returns: Standard in-stock Products (unused, in original packaging, with all parts/manuals) may be returned within 30 days for a full refund (minus shipping fees). Handcrafted/custom Products are non-returnable unless defective (verified by our quality team), in which case we provide a replacement or pro-rated refund. Return shipping costs are your responsibility (except for defective items, where we provide a prepaid shipping label and cover return insurance). Used Products or those damaged by improper care (e.g., stained Yixing cups from dishwasher use) are non-returnable.