Shipping Policy.

WHEREAS

NOW THEREFORE, Culture Circle hereby enacts this Shipping Policy as a binding and transparent operational framework to govern all activities related to the order lifecycle, from placement and processing to dispatch, tracking, redelivery, and resolution of disputes arising from shipping-related issues. This Policy reflects the Company's commitment to upholding transparency, operational accountability, and customer trust, while ensuring strict compliance with applicable Indian consumer protection laws and e-commerce standards.

1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS

2. SCOPE

• a) This Shipping Policy sets out the terms and conditions governing the processing, dispatch, tracking, and delivery of products ordered through the official website of Culture Circle. It aims to provide transparency to customers regarding the Company's logistics practices, estimated delivery timelines, notification protocols, and the allocation of responsibilities between Culture Circle and its third-party logistics providers. While the Company utilizes reputed courier partners, no specific delivery partners are named, and shipping is handled through a curated network of fulfilment and vendor partners.
• b) The Policy is intended to establish uniform standards that guide the post-order experience, enhance customer satisfaction, and ensure compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, and other applicable Indian laws. It further outlines the scope and limitations of the Company's liability with respect to shipping delays, failed deliveries, or product damage in transit, and affirms Culture Circle's commitment to responsiveness and operational accountability throughout the shipping lifecycle.
• c) In the event of any inconsistency between this Policy and other internal or external policies of the Company, the provisions of this Shipping Policy shall prevail in all matters related to the fulfilment, dispatch, and delivery of orders placed on the Culture Circle platform.

3. ORDER CONFIRMATION

• a) Upon the successful placement of an order through the company platform, the customer shall receive an automated confirmation notification delivered via email and/or SMS to the contact information provided during checkout. This notification serves as the official acknowledgment that the order has been successfully recorded in our system and has entered the processing queue.
• b) The order confirmation shall include all essential transaction details for the customer's reference. These include:
  • i) The unique Order ID number assigned to the transaction;
  • ii) A detailed summary of the products purchased including their descriptions, quantities, sizes, and variations where applicable; and
  • iii) A complete breakdown of the payment made. This shall reflect the total transaction amount, including applicable taxes, any shipping or delivery charges levied, and any discounts applied.
• c) The issuance of this confirmation does not constitute a contract of sale, nor does it guarantee product availability or immediate shipment. It merely signifies that the order has been successfully captured by our system.
• d) Customers are strongly advised to retain this confirmation for future correspondence or verification purposes. It shall serve as the primary reference document in cases involving order tracking, delivery status inquiries, return or refund requests, or any communication with company's customer support. In the event that the customer does not receive an order confirmation within a reasonable period following payment, it is their responsibility to notify the company promptly at customersupport@culture-circle.com as such non-receipt may be indicative of a technical issue or unsuccessful transaction.

4. STOCK VARIANCE HANDLING

• a) In certain instances, a product ordered through the Culture Circle platform may go out of stock after the purchase is completed, either due to inventory discrepancies, supplier delays, or real-time demand fluctuations. In such cases, Culture Circle shall proceed with the fulfilment of all available items in the order and notify the customer regarding the affected product(s).
• b) Upon such notification, the customer will be presented with one or more of the following resolution options, at the discretion of the Company and subject to availability:
  • i) A size or variant swap, subject to customer approval and existing inventory;
  • ii) A restocking request, wherein the product is re-procured and shipped as soon as it becomes available again;
  • iii) A replacement with a product of equal or greater value, selected in consultation with the customer and
  • iv) Issuance of a store credit, redeemable on any future purchase on the platform.
• c) Culture Circle is committed to addressing such inventory issues promptly and fairly, with full transparency and customer communication. Customers will be contacted via the email address or phone number associated with their order to finalize the preferred resolution.

5. PROCESSING AND DISPATCH TIMELINE

• a) Culture Circle processes all confirmed orders through a verified and quality-controlled network of sourcing partner. Once a customer successfully completes the payment process, the order enters an internal verification stage. This stage may include, but is not limited to
  • i) Product authentication checks;
  • ii) Stock confirmation;
  • iii) Payment confirmation; and
  • iv) Anti-fraud protocols.
• b) Only upon satisfactory completion of this verification process is the order scheduled for dispatch.
• c) For orders within India, the standard processing and dispatch timeline ranges from 7 to 12 working days, commencing from the date of successful order verification. However, due to the variable nature of sourcing logistics, vendor inventory status, or surge periods (such as sale events or seasonal releases), the dispatch timeline may extend up to 14 working days. Culture Circle endeavours to minimize delays and dispatch orders at the earliest possible opportunity, but reserves this extended timeline to accommodate real-world variables beyond its immediate control.
• d) While Culture Circle remains committed to efficient order processing, it shall not be held liable for any delay that arises after the package has been dispatched from its warehouse or partner location.

6. TRACKING AND NOTIFICATION

• a) Once an order has been dispatched from Culture Circle's warehouse or its authorized fulfilment partner, the customer will receive a tracking notification via email and/or SMS. This notification shall include a unique tracking number or shipment reference ID, generated by the designated logistics partner responsible for delivering the order.
• b) Culture Circle uses AfterShip, a trusted multi-carrier tracking platform, to provide real-time shipment updates. This system supports domestic couriers as mentioned in the table below, enabling the Company to assign the most suitable delivery partner based on location, serviceability, and transit timelines.

  S.NO.	THIRD PARTY SHIPMENT
  1.	BlueDart
  2.	Delhivery
  3.	India Post
  4.	DTDC
  5.	Ecom Express
  6.	XpressBees
  7.	First Flight Couriers
  8.	Aramex

• c) This tracking number enables customers to monitor their shipment in real time by accessing the tracking system provided by the courier service. Through this portal, customers can view the current status of their package, including its location, estimated delivery timeline, and any delays or exceptions encountered during transit.
• d) Customers are strongly encouraged to regularly check their email inbox, SMS inbox, and spam or promotions folders to ensure that they do not miss the tracking update. It is the customer's responsibility to stay informed of their delivery status and make appropriate arrangements for receiving the shipment. Culture Circle shall not be held liable for failed delivery attempts resulting from unmonitored tracking updates or customer unavailability.
• e) In cases where the customer does not receive the tracking details within the stipulated dispatch window, or if the provided tracking number is invalid, inactive, or unresponsive, the customer is advised to promptly contact Culture Circle's support team at customersupport@culture-circle.com. The support team will assist in verifying the dispatch status, resolving any logistical issues, and ensuring that the shipment progresses as intended.

7. DELIVERY ATTEMPTS AND REDELIVERY PROTOCOL

• a) All orders dispatched by Culture Circle are subject to a standard delivery procedure that includes a maximum of two delivery attempts to the shipping address provided at the time of checkout. These attempts are conducted by the assigned courier or logistics partner during standard delivery hours and are based on the recipient's availability at the specified location.
• b) If the order remains undelivered after the second attempt, either due to recipient unavailability, inability to access the premises, or submission of an incomplete or incorrect address, the shipment shall be marked as undeliverable and returned to Culture Circle's central facility or the originating vendor warehouse.
• c) In such cases, the customer will be required to initiate a redelivery request by writing to customersupport@culture-circle.com. Redelivery will be subject to additional shipping charges, which must be paid by the customer prior to re-dispatch.
  
  Note: Redelivery will only be processed upon receipt of the additional shipping charges and reconfirmation of delivery address.

8. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY AND ADDRESS ACCURACY

• a) Culture Circle shall not be held liable for any delays, failed delivery attempts, or loss of goods that may arise due to:
  • i) Incorrect, outdated, or incomplete address entries;
  • ii) Errors in contact details that prevent courier coordination;
  • iii) Recipient's unavailability during delivery hours.
• b) Customers are encouraged to double-check their shipping information at checkout and immediately notify the support team at customersupport@culture-circle.com if corrections are required before dispatch.

9. DELAYS, LIABILITIES AND FORCE MAJEURE

• a) Once an order has been dispatched from the warehouse or fulfilment partner, Culture Circle relinquishes control over the shipment and does not assume liability for any delays caused by third-party service providers or unforeseen external factors.
• b) Such delays may include, but are not limited to:
  • i) Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, or adverse weather conditions;
  • ii) Courier inefficiencies, rerouting errors, or last-mile logistical challenges;
  • iii) Government restrictions, lockdowns, or pandemics.
• c) While Culture Circle shall make reasonable efforts to expedite resolution in the event of a delay such as contacting the courier or escalating urgent cases, it shall not be held liable for compensation, refund, or any consequential loss resulting from such delays, especially those that fall outside its operational control.

10. DAMAGED SHIPMENTS

• a) If a package is received:
  • i. is in a visibly damaged or tampered condition;
  • ii. has missing parts or accessories;
  • iii. defective and
  • iv. reasonably different from its description.
  The customer must immediately notify Culture Circle's support team at customersupport@culture-circle.com. The complaint must be submitted within 48 hours of delivery, along with clear photographic evidence of the external packaging and the affected product(s).
• b) Upon receiving the complaint, Culture Circle shall initiate an internal assessment to determine the nature and extent of the damage. Based on this assessment, and at its sole discretion, the company may offer one of the following resolutions:
  • i) A partial refund to the original mode of payment;
  • ii) A replacement of the product, subject to availability;
  • iii) A store credit of equivalent value redeemable on future purchases.
• c) Claims submitted beyond the 48-hour window may not be eligible for redressal, unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated and validated.

11. REFUND & EXCHANGE TERMS

• a) Culture Circle permits refunds and exchanges only in cases where the product received by the customer is:
  • i) Damaged or defective,
  • ii) Missing parts or accessories,
  • iii) Significantly different from the product description provided on the website.
• b) To be eligible for a refund or exchange:
  • i) The customer must notify the Support Team within 72 hours of delivery by writing to info@culture-circle.com.
  • ii) The request must be supported by a clear unboxing video showing the packaging condition and product issue at the time of opening.
  • iii) The product must be unused, unwashed, and returned with its original packaging, tags, and invoice.
• c) Upon successful validation of the claim, the customer may choose one of the following resolutions:
  • i) A replacement of the product (subject to availability),
  • ii) A store credit of equivalent value, or
  • iii) A refund to the original payment method.
  
  Note: In case of refunds to the original mode of payment, a 3% deduction will apply to cover non-refundable payment gateway and transaction processing fees, except where the refund is issued due to a fault or error attributable to Culture Circle.
• d) Refunds are generally processed within 7 to 10 working days of claim approval.
• e) For more details, refer to the Refund and Exchange Policy mentioned on the company's website.

12. CANCELLATION & RETURN TERMS

• a) Order Cancellation (Before Dispatch): Customers may request cancellation of their order within 3 hours of placement, or prior to seller confirmation, whichever occurs first. All cancellation requests must be submitted via email at customersupport@culture-circle.com or through WhatsApp, quoting the order ID.
• b) If the order qualifies for cancellation:
  • i) A refund will be processed to the original mode of payment,
  • ii) Subject to a 3% deduction towards non-refundable payment gateway and processing fees.
  
  Note: Once the seller confirms the order or the dispatch process begins, the order becomes non-cancellable.
• c) For more details, refer to the Refund and Exchange Policy mentioned on the company's website.

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUPPORT

• a) Culture Circle is committed to delivering a seamless and satisfactory shopping experience. To that end, the Company maintains a dedicated customer service and support team equipped to address queries, resolve grievances, and assist with all order-related concerns.
• b) Customers may reach out to the Culture Circle Support Team through the following channels:
  • i) Email: customersupport@culture-circle.com
  • ii) WhatsApp: +91 8448995700
• c) Customers are encouraged to contact support for issues including, but not limited to:
  • i) Non-receipt of order confirmation or tracking details
  • ii) Delivery status inquiries
  • iii) Product defects or damage upon delivery
  • iv) Exchange, return, or cancellation assistance
  • v) Payment-related queries or refund status
  • vi) Address correction requests before dispatch
• d) For expedited resolution, customers should quote their Order ID, registered email, and a clear description of the issue. Wherever applicable, photographic evidence or screenshots may be requested to facilitate investigation and resolution.
• e) All complaints or queries shall be acknowledged within 48 hours of receipt. The Company shall make reasonable efforts to resolve standard issues within 5 to 7 working days, subject to the complexity of the case and third-party dependencies.
• f) Please note that abusive language, repetitive spam, or unwarranted chargebacks may lead to the suspension of customer support privileges and further action as per applicable platform policies. Culture Circle reserves the right to record and monitor customer interactions for quality assurance, dispute resolution, and compliance purposes.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION

• a) Culture Circle values the trust its customers place in the platform and is committed to protecting their personal information. All customer data—including names, contact details, delivery addresses, and payment information—is collected and processed in accordance with applicable Indian data protection laws, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
• b) The information shared by customers is used solely for purposes related to order processing, customer communication, shipping coordination, and fraud prevention. Culture Circle may share relevant information with trusted third parties, such as logistics providers and payment gateways, strictly for order fulfillment and support functions.
• c) The Company employs reasonable technical and organizational safeguards—such as data encryption, access restrictions, and secure payment gateways—to protect against unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure of personal data.
• d) All employees and service partners are contractually bound to maintain the confidentiality of customer data. Culture Circle does not sell or trade customer information under any circumstance.
• e) For more information, customers may refer to the Company's Privacy Policy - Culture Circle(Privacy Policy) available at www.culture-circle.com/privacy-policy