Shipping & Export Policy

Draft v0.1 · Last updated: TODO: set on publish

1. Who this applies to

This page describes how Helion Global LLP fulfils orders for components manufactured or supplied through us. It is a statement of standard practice; the operative terms for any specific order are those agreed in that order's purchase document.

2. Incoterms we work with

Helion is comfortable with all major Incoterms® 2020 rules. The Incoterm for each order is fixed in the purchase order. Common options:

Incoterm	What it means in practice for our orders
EXW (Ex Works, Rajkot)	You collect from our factory and arrange all transport. We provide a packing list and any agreed certificates.
FCA (Free Carrier, named place)	We deliver to your nominated forwarder at the named place in India. You handle main carriage.
FOB (Free On Board, Indian port)	We deliver and load onto the vessel you have nominated at the agreed Indian port (Mundra, Kandla, Nhava Sheva, or Pipavav).
CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight, destination port)	We arrange ocean freight and insurance to the destination port. Risk transfers to you at the Indian port of loading.
CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To, named place)	Similar to CIF but for non-sea shipments (air freight, multimodal).
DAP / DDP	Available on request. DDP requires us to act as the importer of record, which adds time and cost — quoted case-by-case.

3. Packaging

Standard packaging is designed for ocean and air freight and complies with ISPM 15 wood-treatment requirements for international shipments:

Heat-treated (HT-stamped) wooden cases or pallets compliant with ISPM 15.
Internal packing: VCI (vapour corrosion inhibitor) paper or bags for ferrous components; plastic caps on threaded ends; bubble wrap or foam separators between machined surfaces.
External labelling: order reference, item code, gross / net weight, country of origin (India), destination address.
Sea-worthy strapping and corner protection.

Custom packaging (export crates, vacuum-sealed barrier bags for long-term storage, mil-spec preservation) is available on request and priced per order.

4. Documentation included with every shipment

Commercial invoice with HS code, country of origin, and the agreed Incoterm.
Packing list (item-level, with weights and dimensions).
Material certificate (EN 10204 3.1 by default; 3.2 on request).
Inspection / test report.
Certificate of Origin where required by the destination country (Helion arranges this through the relevant Indian Chamber of Commerce).
Phytosanitary or fumigation certificate where the destination or carrier requires it.
Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air), as applicable to the Incoterm.

5. Lead time and dispatch

Each quotation states a lead time for that specific item / quantity / specification. Lead time is from the later of:

The date of confirmed purchase order, and
The date of confirmed advance payment (where the payment terms require it).

"Ex-stock" lead times in the catalogue assume stock is available at quotation time and are confirmed at order. We do not publish guaranteed stock levels — quotation supersedes catalogue lead time.

Where a single shipment is split across multiple Incoterms or shipping modes (e.g. partial air freight to meet site need, balance by sea), we agree the split in writing as part of the order.

6. Export controls and sanctions

Helion is registered with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and ships under a current Import-Export Code (IEC).

For every order:

We screen the consignee, end-use, and end-user against the applicable denied-party / sanctions lists (UN, India DGFT, US OFAC, EU consolidated, UK OFSI) at the point of quotation and again before dispatch.
If the part or its material grade is on the SCOMET list (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies), we will not ship without the appropriate DGFT authorisation.
If the destination is subject to a comprehensive sanctions regime applicable to India (currently the UN-sanctioned destinations such as North Korea), we cannot ship.
For shipments to destinations covered by extraterritorial controls (e.g. items with US-origin content subject to EAR; items destined for sensitive end-uses under EU 2021/821), we require an end-use statement from you and may require a re-export licence.

By placing an order you confirm that you and your end-customer (if different) are not subject to sanctions or denied-party listings, and that the order will not be diverted to a sanctioned destination, sanctioned end-user, or a controlled end-use without the necessary authorisations.

TODO: lawyer to confirm specific clause wording for SCOMET compliance certificate and EAR Anti-Boycott considerations where US-origin material is incorporated.

7. Damage in transit

If goods arrive damaged:

Note the damage on the delivery receipt before signing for the consignment.
Photograph the packaging, the seals, and the damage.
Notify the carrier in writing within the carrier's notice period (typically 7 days for sea, 14 days for air).
Notify Helion at logistics@helionglobal.net within 14 days of delivery with the photos and the carrier's incident reference.

Under CIF / CIP, insurance arranged by Helion responds to qualifying claims. Under EXW / FCA / FOB, insurance is the buyer's responsibility. We will support a buyer's insurance claim with documentation and certificates as needed.

8. Returns

Bespoke industrial components made to a specific drawing or specification are not returnable for change of mind. Returns are accepted only where:

The component does not meet the agreed specification (covered by the Quality Policy non-conformance route), or
We agree in writing, in advance, to take back stock items.

9. Contact

logistics@helionglobal.net
Helion Global LLP, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
DGFT IEC: TODO: insert IEC on publish.