ZR End Mills Logo
Legal Documentation

Terms of Service

Governing our B2B partnerships for precision carbide cutting tools -- solid carbide end mills, custom tooling, and integrated machining solutions.

Effective Date: January 1, 2026 Version 2.1 English Governing Version

These Terms of Service ("Agreement") constitute a legally binding contract between our company ("Supplier", "We", "Us") and the purchasing entity ("Buyer", "Client", "You"). By placing any order -- standard or custom -- You acknowledge full acceptance of the terms herein. These terms supersede all prior verbal or written communications unless explicitly amended in writing and countersigned by both parties.

Article 1

Scope of Cooperation

1.1 Applicable Parties

This Agreement applies to all B2B clients -- including distributors, OEM manufacturers, tier-1 procurement departments, and engineering teams -- engaged in the purchase of solid carbide end mills, custom cutting tools, or related technical services.

1.2 Target Industries

  • Aerospace & defense components
  • Medical implants & surgical instruments
  • Precision mold & die manufacturing
  • Automotive & energy sector machining

1.3 Product Coverage

Coverage includes standard catalog items, semi-standard variants, fully custom engineered tools, prototype samples, and any associated technical consultation or process optimization services provided by our engineering team.

1.4 Geographic Scope

These terms govern all transactions irrespective of the Buyer's location. Export compliance, import duties, and local regulatory obligations remain the sole responsibility of the Buyer unless otherwise agreed in a separate written addendum.

Article 2

Order Rules

MOQ · Payment · Lead Time

2.1 Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)

Product Category Standard MOQ Notes
Standard Catalog End Mills 10 pcs / SKU Mixed diameter orders accepted
Semi-Standard Variants 20 pcs / SKU Coating or substrate modification
Fully Custom Tools 50 pcs / design After approved sample
Prototype / R&D Samples 1-5 pcs Subject to sampling fee (see §3.1)

MOQ may be negotiated for long-term framework agreements. Contact your account manager for volume tier pricing.

2.2 Payment Terms

50%
Deposit on Confirmation

Required upon issuance of purchase order confirmation. Production commences only after deposit clearance.

50%
Balance Before Shipment

Remaining balance due upon quality inspection sign-off, prior to goods release and dispatch.

NET 30
Credit Terms (Qualified)

Available to clients with ≥12 months trading history and approved credit application. Subject to annual review.

Accepted Methods: T/T (Wire Transfer), L/C at sight, PayPal (orders < USD 2,000 only). All bank charges outside our country are borne by the Buyer.

2.3 Delivery Lead Time

Standard
7-14 Business Days
Semi-Custom
15-25 Business Days
Full Custom
25-40 Business Days
Prototype
5-10 Business Days

Lead times commence from deposit receipt and final specification confirmation. Force majeure events, raw material shortages, or national holidays may extend lead times; Buyer will be notified promptly.

Article 3

Customization Terms

Sampling Fees · Tooling Ownership · Design IP

3.1 Prototype & Sampling Fees

Applicable to all first-article and R&D prototype orders

A non-refundable sampling fee is charged for all custom prototype requests. This fee covers engineering design time, 5-axis CNC programming, carbide substrate allocation, and coating application for the trial run.

Standard geometry prototype USD 150 - 300
Complex profile prototype USD 300 - 800
Multi-iteration development Quoted per project

Upon placing a mass production order of ≥ 100 pcs based on the approved sample, 50% of the sampling fee will be credited toward the production invoice.

3.2 Tooling & Mold Ownership

Grinding programs, dressing profiles, and fixture assets

All CNC grinding programs, wheel dressing profiles, fixture designs, and manufacturing know-how developed by our engineering team remain the exclusive intellectual property of the Supplier, regardless of the Buyer's contribution to the design brief.

Important

Custom geometry drawings or 2D/3D models submitted by the Buyer remain the Buyer's property. We will not reproduce or share such drawings with third parties without written consent.

Physical grinding fixtures or special dressing tools purchased and paid for in full by the Buyer will be held in our facility for up to 3 years. Storage beyond this period requires a written renewal agreement.

3.3 Design Approval & Freeze Policy

01

RFQ Submission

Buyer submits drawing, material spec, coating requirement, and target quantity

02

Engineering Review

Our engineers confirm feasibility and issue a formal design confirmation sheet within 3 days

03

Design Freeze

Buyer countersigns the confirmation sheet. No changes accepted after this point without a change order fee

04

Production Release

Deposit received; production scheduled on 5-axis CNC grinding center

Article 4

Quality & After-Sales

Inspection · Warranty · Claims Process

4.1 Pre-Shipment Quality Inspection

Every batch undergoes a multi-stage quality inspection protocol before release:

  • Dimensional verification via CMM / optical comparator (tolerance ±0.005 mm)
  • Edge geometry and runout check on each tool
  • Coating adhesion and thickness inspection (PVD nano-composite)
  • Surface roughness measurement (Ra ≤ 0.2 μm on cutting edges)
  • Hardness spot-check of substrate (≥ HRA 92.5)

Inspection Reports

A full dimensional inspection report and material certificate (CoC) are provided with every shipment at no additional cost.

Third-Party Inspection

Buyer may request a third-party inspection at their own expense. We will provide facility access upon 5 business days' written notice.

4.2 Warranty & Defect Coverage

12 Mo.
Standard Warranty

From date of shipment. Covers manufacturing defects, coating delamination, and dimensional non-conformance.

30 Days
Claim Window

From delivery receipt. Buyer must submit photographic evidence and inspection report within this window to initiate a claim.

100%
Replacement Rate

Confirmed defective units replaced free of charge including shipping, or credited to next order at Buyer's preference.

Warranty Exclusions

Warranty does not cover: (a) normal wear from machining operations; (b) damage caused by improper cutting parameters, incorrect tool holding, or misapplication; (c) tools modified or regrind by third parties; (d) damage from improper storage or handling by Buyer.

4.3 After-Sales Claims Process

Step 1

Submit Claim

Email with order number, photos of defects, measurement data, and quantity affected

Step 2

Review (48 hrs)

Our QC team evaluates submitted evidence and may request return of sample units for analysis

Step 3

Resolution Offer

We issue a formal resolution proposal: replacement, credit, or partial refund within 5 business days

Step 4

Closure

Replacement dispatched or credit memo issued. RCA report shared to prevent recurrence

Article 5

Liability & Dispute Resolution

Breach of Contract · Governing Law · Arbitration

5.1 Breach of Contract & Penalties

Buyer's Obligations

  • Failure to pay the balance before shipment within 7 days of notification will incur a late fee of 1.5% per month on the outstanding amount.
  • Order cancellation after design freeze forfeits the deposit in full. Cancellation after production commencement is subject to an additional charge of up to 30% of order value.
  • Unauthorized use or reproduction of our proprietary tool geometries or coating formulations constitutes IP infringement subject to legal action.

Supplier's Obligations

  • Delivery delays attributable solely to the Supplier exceeding 10 business days beyond confirmed lead time will entitle the Buyer to a 2% discount per additional week, up to a maximum of 10%.
  • In no event shall the Supplier's total liability exceed the invoice value of the specific order giving rise to the claim.
  • The Supplier shall not be liable for indirect, consequential, or incidental damages including lost profits or production downtime.

5.2 Limitation of Liability & Force Majeure

Neither party shall be held liable for delays or non-performance caused by circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, war, pandemics, government restrictions, port strikes, raw material embargoes, or major equipment failures.

The affected party must notify the other in writing within 5 business days of the force majeure event, providing documentation. If the event persists beyond 60 days, either party may terminate the affected order without penalty, with a pro-rata refund of any deposit for unproduced goods.

5.3 Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

Step 1 -- Negotiation

Parties attempt good-faith resolution within 30 days of written dispute notice

Step 2 -- Mediation

If unresolved, parties engage a mutually agreed neutral mediator for a structured session

Step 3 -- Arbitration

Final binding arbitration under CIETAC rules; conducted in English; award enforceable internationally

Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the People's Republic of China, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) applies where applicable.

Questions About These Terms?

Our team is happy to walk you through any clause or discuss framework agreement modifications for long-term partners. We believe in transparent, mutually beneficial relationships.

Last updated: January 1, 2025  ·  These terms are subject to change. Continued orders constitute acceptance of the latest version.

Chat on WhatsApp