1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using AfroEx, you agree to these Terms of Service. If you disagree with any part of these terms, you may not access the platform. AfroEx is operated by a Panama-based nonprofit organization.

2. Marketplace Role

AfroEx is a marketplace facilitator, not a tour operator. We provide the platform for vendors to offer cultural experiences. Vendors are solely responsible for:

• Delivering safe, accurate, and culturally respectful experiences
• All safety measures, insurance, and legal compliance
• Meeting all commitments made in experience listings
• Handling on-the-ground operations and customer service during experiences

3. Booking and Payments

All bookings are processed through Stripe. By making a booking, you agree to:

• Provide accurate payment information
• Pay the full amount displayed at checkout
• Accept a 15% platform commission included in the listed price
• Understand that prices include all taxes and fees
• Prices are locked at the time of booking and will not increase

Overbooking: If a vendor accepts bookings beyond capacity, the vendor is solely responsible for resolution. Affected customers receive a full refund. The vendor absorbs all Stripe fees. AfroEx may suspend or remove the vendor listing immediately.

Vendor Contact Information: Full contact details (phone/email) are released to you 24 hours before the experience start time, or earlier if vendor-initiated cancellation is required.

4. Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellation policies vary by experience. The platform default is:

• Full refund if cancelled 7 days before the experience
• No refund for cancellations within 7 days
• Individual experiences may have stricter policies
• All cancellation requests are reviewed by the AfroEx operations team within 48 hours
• Once approved, refunds are processed immediately but may take 5 to 10 business days to appear in your account

5. Vendor Responsibilities

Vendors must:

• Honor all bookings and maintain safety standards
• Provide accurate information and comply with local laws
• Maintain all insurance coverage required by applicable local law, including but not limited to general liability coverage where required
• Cancel at least 48 hours prior to experience if minimum traveler threshold is not met

AfroEx does not verify insurance in MVP but reserves the right to request proof at any time.

AfroEx may suspend or remove vendor listings immediately and without prior notice for violations of policy, safety concerns, overbooking, chargeback abuse, fraudulent behavior, or reputational harm to the platform. Investigation may occur after suspension.

6. User Conduct

Users agree not to:

• Provide false or misleading information
• Abuse, harass, or disrespect vendors or staff
• Attempt to circumvent platform payment systems
• Violate local laws or cultural norms

7. Age Requirement and Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to book experiences on AfroEx. If you are under 18, you may participate in experiences only if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who completes the booking on your behalf.

By using AfroEx, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts.

8. Limitation of Liability

AfroEx is not liable for injuries, accidents, property damage, or losses incurred during experiences. Vendors are solely responsible for safety and insurance. Users participate at their own risk.

9. Force Majeure

Neither AfroEx nor vendors shall be liable for failure to perform obligations due to events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, war, terrorism, civil unrest, pandemic, government restrictions, strikes, power outages, or internet service disruptions.

In force majeure events:

• Vendors may cancel experiences without penalty
• Customers receive 100% refund for canceled experiences
• Vendor absorbs Stripe fees only when cancellation is vendor-caused
• If government restriction applies universally, vendor does not absorb Stripe fees
• No party is liable for consequential damages
• Obligations resume when conditions normalize

Force majeure does not relieve vendors from refunding customers for undelivered services. AfroEx reserves the right to suspend platform operations temporarily during force majeure events.

10. Intellectual Property

AfroEx branding, design, and platform code are protected by intellectual property laws. Users may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without written permission.

11. Dispute Resolution

Disputes between users and vendors should first be reported to AfroEx support. We will attempt to mediate fairly. Chargebacks are absorbed by vendors unless platform technical fault is proven and may result in account restrictions.

12. Arbitration Agreement

Any dispute arising from use of AfroEx shall first be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If negotiation fails within 30 days, disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration seated in Panama City, Panama, under applicable Panama arbitration law. Arbitration may be conducted in person or via secure remote video conference.

Arbitration terms:

• Individual arbitration only - no class actions
• Conducted in English or Spanish
• Venue: Panama City, Panama or remote video conference
• Arbitrator's decision is final and binding
• Each party bears its own legal costs unless arbitrator decides otherwise

Exceptions: Either party may seek injunctive relief in court for intellectual property violations or breach of confidentiality.

BY USING AFROEX, YOU WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND YOUR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS.

13. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Panama. Any legal disputes will be resolved in Panama courts.

14. Changes to Terms

AfroEx reserves the right to modify these terms at any time. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of revised terms.

15. Gratuities

AfroEx offers an optional gratuity system that allows guests to leave a voluntary tip for their cultural guides after an experience. By using this feature, you agree to the following:

• Gratuities are entirely voluntary and are not tied to any booking or obligation
• Gratuities are non-refundable except in cases of fraud or payment error
• Payments are processed securely via Stripe
• AfroEx retains processing fees only — no commission is applied to gratuities
• AfroEx does not guarantee that vendors will receive gratuities or any specific amounts
• Gratuities are delivered directly to the vendor associated with the experience

If you believe an unauthorized charge was made through the gratuity system, contact afroexpanama@gmail.com within 30 days.

16. Contact

Questions about these terms? Email afroexpanama@gmail.com or call 1 866 777 9452.