Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: 31 July 2026

Terms and Conditions of Use

1. About A.R.T.S.S Centre

ARTSS Centre (Art, Retail, Tourism, Souvenir & Services Centre) is a social enterprise initiative of AEMTL, showcasing and selling authentic Timorese products, including Brand Timor’s coconut, cocoa, and vanilla products, TAIS, coffee, and other souvenirs, made by women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Timor-Leste’s 13 municipalities and RAEOA. All products sold under the Brand Timor initiative are offered through this Site and are fully subject to these Terms & Conditions in the same manner as any other product listed here.

2. Eligibility

By using this Site or placing an order, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age, or that you are placing an order with the consent and supervision of a parent or guardian. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at our discretion.

3. Products & Descriptions

We make every effort to display our products, descriptions, and prices accurately. However, as our products are handmade, small natural variations in color, texture, size, and pattern may occur between the photo shown and the item you receive; these variations are part of the authentic, handcrafted character of our products and are not considered defects.

All prices are listed in United States Dollars (USD), the official currency of Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste has not yet implemented a Value Added Tax (VAT) or similar sales tax; the prices shown on this Site are therefore the final prices payable, with no additional tax added at checkout.

We reserve the right to correct any pricing or product description errors, and to cancel any order affected by such an error, even after an order has been confirmed. In such cases, we will contact you as soon as possible to offer a corrected order, alternative product, or full refund.

4. Placing an Order

Orders may be placed directly through the SHOP on this Site. All orders are subject to acceptance and product availability. Once you place an order, our team will review and confirm it during business hours via email or WhatsApp. A confirmed order constitutes a binding agreement to purchase the listed product(s) at the listed price.

You may cancel or change your order free of charge before payment is confirmed. Once payment is confirmed, please contact us as soon as possible; we will do our best to accommodate changes before your order is prepared, but cannot guarantee changes once preparation has begun.

5. Payment

We currently accept payment via bank transfer or cash upon pickup or delivery. Bank transfer details and a payment reference number will be provided at checkout, along with the option to upload proof of payment. Online instant payment gateways are not yet widely available in Timor-Leste; this Site’s checkout is designed to be upgraded to support such gateways once available, without requiring you to take any action.

You are responsible for any bank transfer fees or charges incurred in making payment. Orders will not be processed or dispatched until payment has been confirmed by our team.

6. Delivery & Pickup

Delivery is currently available within Dili for a fee of approximately USD $1 to $3, depending on distance, confirmed at the time of order confirmation and reflected on your invoice. Delivery outside Dili or internationally is not currently offered as standard; please contact us directly if you require delivery outside these areas, and we will do our best to assist.

Orders may also be collected in person at the ARTSS Centre. Please bring your order confirmation email and payment receipt (cash or bank transfer) when collecting your order. Reserved orders will be held for 1–2 business days from the date of order confirmation; orders not collected within this period may be cancelled and, if applicable, restocked.

7. Returns, Exchanges & Damaged Items

As many of our products are handmade in small batches, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges for change-of-mind purchases once an order has been paid for and delivered or collected. We encourage you to review product descriptions and photos carefully, and to contact us with any questions before completing your purchase.

If your product arrives damaged, please contact us within 48 hours of receipt, with a photo of the item and your order details, and we will arrange a replacement or refund at our discretion.

8. Official, Institutional & Bulk Orders

Institutional, embassy, government, hotel, and bulk gifting orders are subject to separate arrangements agreed directly with our team, including quantities, lead times, customization, and pricing, as discussed via our Souvenirs & Official Gifting inquiry form. These Terms & Conditions apply to such orders except where a separate written agreement between the parties states otherwise.

9. Intellectual Property

All content on this Site, including text, product photography, graphics, logos, and the Brand Timor and ARTSS Centre names and branding, is the property of AEMTL and/or ARTSS Centre, or is used with the permission of the relevant producer or partner, and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use this content for commercial purposes without our prior written consent.

10. User Conduct

You agree not to use this Site for any unlawful purpose, to submit false or misleading information, to interfere with the operation or security of the Site, or to attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Site or its systems.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, ARTSS Centre and AEMTL shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential loss or damage arising from your use of this Site or your purchase of products, beyond the value of the order in question. Nothing in these Terms limits any liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

12. Third-Party Links & Partners

This Site may reference or link to third parties, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), the European Union (EU), and other partners. Such references do not imply that these organizations endorse or are responsible for the content of this Site beyond their stated role in supporting the Brand Timor initiative, as described on our About pages.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time to reflect changes in our operations, policies, or legal requirements. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page will indicate when changes were last made. Continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

14. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL). Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of this Site shall first be addressed through good-faith discussion with our team, and if unresolved, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Timor-Leste.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms & Conditions, please contact us at info@artsscentretimorleste.org or via our Contact Us.