Merchant Rules & Policies

1. General Provisions

MarketFlow is a global digital marketplace connecting buyers and sellers. These Merchant Rules ("Rules") supplement the MarketFlow Terms of Service and must be read in conjunction with them. In the event of a conflict, the Terms of Service shall prevail.

MarketFlow reserves the right to modify these Rules at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email to your registered address or through a notice on your Merchant Dashboard at least 30 days prior to the effective date.

2. Merchant Eligibility

To sell on MarketFlow, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in your jurisdiction.
• Have the legal authority to enter into binding contracts.
• Provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date identity and business information.
• Verify your account via government-issued ID and tax documentation where required.
• Not be listed on any applicable sanctions lists (e.g., OFAC, UN, EU).
• Maintain a valid banking method or payout account for disbursements.

MarketFlow may request additional documentation at any time to verify compliance. Failure to provide requested documents may result in account restriction.

3. Prohibited Items & Services

Merchants are strictly prohibited from listing, selling, or promoting the following:

• Illegal Goods: Controlled substances, regulated pharmaceuticals, firearms, explosives, or any items prohibited by local, national, or international law.
• Counterfeit & Fraudulent Items: Goods bearing unauthorized trademarks, fake replicas, or items misrepresented as authentic.
• Stolen Property: Items obtained through theft, fraud, or without proper ownership rights.
• Hazardous Materials: Flammable, toxic, radioactive, or corrosive substances unless explicitly permitted under specialized categories.
• Adult Content: Pornographic material, sexually explicit services, or adult-oriented merchandise.
• Human Trafficking & Exploitation: Any content promoting or facilitating exploitation of individuals.
• Living Animals: Sale of live animals (with limited exceptions for livestock under specific agricultural categories).
• Discriminatory Content: Items promoting hate speech, violence, or discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics.

For a complete list, refer to the Prohibited Items Full List.

4. Listing Guidelines

High-quality listings drive buyer trust and sales. All listings must adhere to the following standards:

4.1 Titles & Descriptions

• Titles must be clear, accurate, and descriptive (max 80 characters).
• No keyword stuffing, ALL CAPS, or special character spam.
• Descriptions must accurately represent the item, including condition, dimensions, materials, and defects.
• Do not include pricing, promotions, or seller contact info in titles.

4.2 Images

• Upload high-resolution photos (minimum 1000px width).
• Images must show the actual item being sold; stock photos are not permitted for used goods.
• Proper lighting and neutral backgrounds are encouraged.
• No watermarks, logos (other than brand), or distracting overlays.

4.3 Pricing

• Prices must be transparent and include all mandatory fees.
• "Fake" original prices or false discount claims are prohibited.
• Pricing must comply with local consumer protection laws regarding price caps or markdown restrictions.

5. Order Fulfillment & Shipping

Timely and reliable fulfillment is critical to marketplace health.

5.1 Handling Time

Orders must be shipped within the handling time stated in your listing (typically 1–3 business days). Failure to ship on time will impact your Seller Performance Score.

5.2 Tracking & Proof of Delivery

• Tracking information must be uploaded to the order details within 24 hours of shipment.
• Tracking must be valid and verifiable via the carrier.
• Fake or dummy tracking numbers are strictly prohibited and considered fraud.

5.3 Packaging

Items must be packaged securely to prevent damage during transit. Sellers are responsible for costs arising from inadequate packaging.

6. Customer Service & Disputes

MarketFlow expects merchants to provide excellent post-purchase support.

• Response Time: Respond to buyer inquiries within 24 hours.
• Returns: Honor return policies as advertised. MarketFlow facilitates returns for items not as described or damaged.
• Disputes: Cooperate fully with MarketFlow mediation. Failure to respond to dispute notifications may result in automatic buyer reimbursement.
• Reviews: Do not offer incentives for positive reviews or engage in review manipulation.

7. Payments & Fees

MarketFlow processes all payments securely through its managed payment system.

• Transaction Fees: A platform commission (typically 5–12% depending on category) is deducted from each sale. See Fee Schedule for details.
• Payouts: Funds are disbursed to your verified bank account on a rolling basis or weekly schedule, subject to reserve holds for new sellers.
• Chargebacks: If a payment dispute is resolved in favor of the buyer, the chargeback amount plus fees will be deducted from your balance.
• Tax Compliance: Sellers are responsible for collecting and remitting applicable sales tax, VAT, or GST as required by law. MarketFlow provides tax reporting tools.

8. Intellectual Property

MarketFlow respects IP rights and operates a robust takedown system.

• Merchants must own or have authorization to sell branded goods.
• Trademark holders can report infringement via our IP Reporting Portal.
• Repeat infringers may face immediate account termination and legal action.
• MarketFlow may remove listings pending investigation if credible IP claims are submitted.

9. Enforcement & Account Termination

Violations of these Rules may result in graduated enforcement actions:

1. Warning: Notification of violation with instructions to rectify.
2. Listing Removal: Non-compliant listings will be delisted.
3. Account Restriction: Temporary suspension of selling privileges.
4. Fund Hold: Payouts may be frozen during investigation.
5. Permanent Ban: Severe or repeated violations result in account termination. Funds may be withheld to cover chargebacks or damages.

MarketFlow reserves the right to take immediate action without notice in cases of severe fraud, illegal activity, or threats to user safety.

10. Contact Support

If you have questions about these rules or need assistance with compliance, our Merchant Support team is available to help.