Shipping policy

Sovicell supplies products intended exclusively for professional laboratory and research use by business, institutional, and scientific customers.

1. Order Processing

Orders are typically processed within three (3) business days following order confirmation and receipt of payment.

Note: Processing times are estimates only. Actual times may vary depending on product availability, destination country, specific regulatory requirements, and public holidays.

2. International Shipping Schedule

To minimize customs delays and avoid extended storage periods during transit (especially for temperature-sensitive materials), Sovicell manages dispatch schedules strategically. International orders are dispatched on specific days of the week at Sovicell’s discretion to ensure the fastest possible transit time.

3. Shipping Methods & Carriers

  • Default Carrier: DHL Express is our standard carrier for both domestic and international deliveries.

  • Alternative Carriers: At the Customer’s explicit request, Sovicell can ship via FedEx. We strongly prefer utilizing the Customer’s own FedEx account for these shipments.

4. Shipping Charges

Shipping charges are calculated and displayed in the online store at checkout, or otherwise explicitly stated in your order documentation.

  • Shipping charges are payable by the Customer.
  • The shipping fee charged at checkout represents Sovicell’s standard shipping fee and may differ from the actual, real-time transport cost charged by the carrier.
5. Estimated Delivery Times

Delivery timelines begin after the order has been processed and dispatched:

  • Within Europe: Typically next business day.

  • Outside Europe: Typically three (3) to four (4) business days (excluding customs processing and border inspections).

Please note: Delivery times are estimates only and are not guaranteed.

6. Customs, Duties, and Import Regulatory Charges

For all international shipments, the Customer is the Importer of Record and is solely responsible for managing the import process.

Customer Responsibilities Include:
  • Obtaining all required permits, licenses, approvals, registrations, certifications, and regulatory clearances.
  • Paying all customs duties, import taxes, VAT, tariffs, customs brokerage fees, veterinary/border inspection fees, and any similar governmental charges.
  • Providing all information and documentation reasonably required by customs authorities in the destination country.
Liability Exclusion:

Sovicell is not liable for delays, holds, refusals, inspections, seizures, destruction of shipments, or additional costs arising from local import requirements, veterinary/sanitary controls, or the Customer’s failure to comply with applicable import regulations.

7. Biological Material Import Controls

Where products contain biological materials, reagents, or components subject to regulatory control, the Customer is solely responsible for determining whether specific veterinary, sanitary, biosafety, or other special import restrictions apply in the destination country, and for ensuring full compliance.

8. Temperature-Controlled Shipments & Handling

Certain Sovicell products are shipped under frozen or temperature-controlled conditions to maintain product integrity during standard transit.

  • Temporary Thawing: Temporary thawing during shipment does not by itself render a product defective, provided the product remains otherwise usable in accordance with the product instructions.

  • Required Action Upon Receipt: If a product has thawed during transit, the Customer should centrifuge or spin the relevant plate or vial for approximately five (5) minutes to collect the beads at the bottom, and then resuspend the contents in accordance with the applicable product protocols before use.

9. Delivery Terms & Risk of Loss

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, international shipments are made on a DAP (Delivered at Place) basis in accordance with Incoterms® 2020.

  • Sovicell arranges shipment to the agreed destination.
  • Title to and risk of loss pass to the Customer when the products are made available at the agreed place of destination, ready for unloading.
  • The Customer is responsible for unloading and for any consequences arising from import clearance delays.
10. Receipt and Inspection

Customers must ensure a qualified recipient is available to receive deliveries and immediately move products to their required storage environment.

  • Any visible transport damage, shortages, or discrepancies must be reported to Sovicell without undue delay.
  • Customers must strictly follow all product-specific storage and temperature requirements immediately upon delivery.
11. Carrier Delays and Non-Refundable Charges

Actual delivery times may be affected by customs clearance, local holidays, weather, or carrier capacity. Sovicell is not liable for delays caused by shipping carriers or events outside its reasonable control.

All shipping charges, handling charges, customs duties, import taxes, VAT, tariffs, brokerage fees, and inspection fees are non-refundable unless otherwise required by applicable law.