Secure. Verified. Trusted.
Version 1.1 | Effective 2026
1. Preamble & Acceptance Of Terms
These Terms and Conditions ("Agreement") constitute a legally binding agreement between SafeTrade (Pty) Ltd ("SafeTrade", "we", "us", or "our") and any individual or entity registering as a buyer, seller, or both on the SafeTrade platform ("User", "you", or "your").
By creating an account, accessing the platform, browsing listings, or completing any transaction through SafeTrade, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions in full.
SafeTrade is a South African digital transaction platform designed to facilitate safer online transactions between buyers and sellers through secure escrow-based payment protection.
The platform operates in accordance with applicable laws of the Republic of South Africa, including but not limited to:
Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008
Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA)
Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA)
Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 (FICA)
If you do not agree with these Terms and Conditions, you must immediately discontinue use of the platform.
Your acceptance of these Terms is recorded at the point of registration. Sellers must check a box confirming agreement before their first listing can be published. Buyers are shown these Terms and must accept them before continuing to use the platform if they have not already done so.
2. Definitions
For purposes of these Terms and Conditions:
"Platform"
Refers to the SafeTrade website, marketplace, applications, and digital services.
"Transaction"
Refers to any agreement between a Buyer and Seller facilitated through SafeTrade.
"Escrow"
Refers to the temporary holding of funds by SafeTrade pending successful completion of transaction conditions.
"Escrow Partner"
Refers to TradeSafe, SafeTrade's third-party escrow service provider, which holds and releases transaction funds on SafeTrade's behalf in accordance with its own terms of service.
"SafeTrade Order Code (SOC)"
A unique verification code generated for each transaction used to confirm delivery and release funds from escrow.
"Listing"
Any product or service advertisement posted by a Seller on the platform.
"Buyer"
Any registered User purchasing goods or services through SafeTrade.
"Seller"
Any registered User listing goods or services for sale through SafeTrade.
"Delivery"
The transfer of physical or digital goods/services between parties.
"Prohibited Conduct"
Any behaviour violating these Terms, SafeTrade policies, or South African law.
3. Registration, Eligibility & Account Responsibilities
3.1 Eligibility
To use SafeTrade, Users must:
Be at least 18 years old
Be legally capable of entering binding agreements
Not be permanently banned from the platform
3.2 Account Registration
Users agree to provide accurate and complete registration information at all times.
SafeTrade reserves the right to verify identities in accordance with:
FICA requirements
KYC procedures
Anti-Money Laundering regulations
Failure to comply with verification requests may result in suspension or termination of an account.
3.3 Account Security
Users are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials and account activity.
SafeTrade shall not be liable for losses arising from unauthorised account access caused by failure to safeguard login details.
Any suspected unauthorised access must immediately be reported to:
4. Transaction Process & Escrow Mechanism
4.1 How Transactions Work
SafeTrade operates on a secure condition-based transaction model:
Buyer deposits payment into secure escrow.
SafeTrade confirms receipt of funds.
Seller proceeds with delivery or fulfilment.
Buyer confirms successful delivery using the SafeTrade Order Code (SOC).
Escrow funds are released to the Seller.
4.2 SafeTrade Order Code (SOC)
A unique SOC is generated for every order and acts as the official delivery verification mechanism.
The following conditions apply:
The SOC is confidential.
Buyers should never share the SOC prematurely.
SafeTrade is not liable for losses resulting from the Buyer sharing the SOC with unauthorised individuals.
Sellers may not pressure Buyers into sharing the SOC before successful delivery.
Abuse or manipulation of the SOC system may result in permanent account termination.
4.3 Our Escrow Partner
SafeTrade does not hold or process funds directly. All escrow services are provided by TradeSafe, an authorised third-party payment provider registered with the Payment Association of South Africa (PASA). SafeTrade's applicable fees, together with any fees charged by TradeSafe for its escrow service, are disclosed to Users before a transaction is completed.
5. Delivery Options
5.1 Available Delivery Methods
SafeTrade supports multiple delivery options including:
Courier services
PUDO lockers
PAXI
Same-day delivery services
Postal services
Collection/drop-off points
Digital delivery (where applicable)
Available delivery methods may vary by transaction.
5.2 Delivery Agreements
Delivery methods must be agreed upon between Buyer and Seller before escrow payment is made.
Any delivery changes must be confirmed through the SafeTrade platform.
5.3 Delivery Liability Disclaimer
SafeTrade is not a courier or logistics provider.
SafeTrade does not physically transport, handle, or store goods and therefore cannot be held liable for:
delivery delays
damaged goods
courier losses
misdelivery
courier-related failures
Users are encouraged to use reputable and insured delivery providers.
6. In-Person Meetups & Safety Advisory
6.1 SafeTrade Does Not Recommend Meetups
SafeTrade is designed to reduce the need for physical meetings between Buyers and Sellers.
The platform strongly encourages use of trusted delivery services instead.
6.2 Meetup Liability Disclaimer
If Buyers and Sellers choose to meet physically, they do so entirely at their own risk.
SafeTrade is not responsible for:
theft
assault
fraud
injury
disputes
damages
criminal activity
arising from in-person meetings.
6.3 Safety Recommendations
If Users decide to meet physically, SafeTrade strongly advises:
meeting near a South African Police Service (SAPS) station
informing trusted individuals beforehand
avoiding isolated locations
Users acknowledge that such meetups occur against SafeTrade's recommendation.
7. Seller Obligations & Prohibited Conduct
7.1 Seller Responsibilities
Sellers warrant that:
they legally own the goods/services listed
listings are accurate and not misleading
products are lawful and authentic
goods are not stolen, counterfeit, or prohibited
deliveries will be fulfilled promptly
transactions will remain on-platform
7.2 Prohibited Seller Conduct
The following is strictly prohibited:
counterfeit sales
fraudulent listings
misleading descriptions
requesting off-platform payments
SOC manipulation
intimidation or deception
transaction circumvention
fraudulent conduct
7.3 Consequences Of Violations
SafeTrade may:
permanently suspend accounts
flag fraudulent identities internally
block future registrations
report criminal conduct to SAPS or regulatory authorities
Where a Seller's listing is reported or reasonably suspected of being counterfeit or stolen, SafeTrade may flag, investigate, and take down the relevant listing, and may suspend or terminate the Seller's account pending investigation. By listing a product on SafeTrade, Sellers agree that any legal action pursued by an affected Buyer will be supported by SafeTrade to the extent described in Section 15, but that SafeTrade itself shall not be held liable for the Seller's conduct.
8. Buyer Responsibilities
Buyers agree:
to transact in good faith
not to falsely claim non-delivery
to protect their SOC carefully
to raise disputes honestly
not to abuse dispute systems
9. Dispute Resolution
If disputes arise:
Disputes must be lodged within 48 hours.
SafeTrade will review evidence from both parties.
Resolution timelines may take up to 10 business days.
Escrow funds remain frozen during investigations.
SafeTrade decisions are final unless escalated through South African legal channels.
10. Fees & Payments
SafeTrade charges service and protection fees on completed transactions.
Applicable fees may include:
Buyer Protection Fees
Service Fees
Seller Commission Fees
Fees help support:
escrow protection
fraud prevention
dispute handling
customer support
platform infrastructure
Escrow funds are held separately from SafeTrade operational funds.
Funds are only released:
after successful SOC verification
or after formal dispute resolution outcomes
11. Privacy & Data Protection
SafeTrade processes personal information in accordance with POPIA.
User information may be collected for:
registration
verification
fraud prevention
transaction processing
legal compliance
SafeTrade does not sell personal information to third parties.
Privacy requests may be directed to:
12. Limitation Of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by South African law:
SafeTrade's liability shall not exceed the value of the disputed transaction.
SafeTrade shall not be liable for:
indirect losses
consequential damages
loss of profits
loss of data
security breaches beyond reasonable control
SafeTrade does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free platform availability.
13. Amendments To Terms
SafeTrade reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time.
Material updates may be communicated through:
email notifications
platform notices
account alerts
Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of updated Terms.
14. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
Any disputes not resolved internally shall fall under the jurisdiction of South African courts.
15. Reporting Counterfeit or Stolen Items
If a Buyer believes an item received through SafeTrade is counterfeit or stolen, they may report it via our Report page, providing their order details, photographic evidence, and any supporting documentation.
Upon receiving a report, SafeTrade will investigate and may take action against the Seller's account in accordance with Section 7.3.
Users acknowledge and agree that:
If escrow funds have already been released to the Seller at the time of the report, a refund is not guaranteed.
Buyers may pursue legal action directly against the Seller. Where SafeTrade determines, following its own investigation, that an item is indeed counterfeit or stolen, SafeTrade will support such action by providing the Seller information it holds on file.
SafeTrade shall not be held liable for any losses arising from a counterfeit or stolen item, in accordance with Section 12 (Limitation of Liability).
16. Contact Information
General Support
Acknowledgement
By using SafeTrade, Users acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions, including all clauses relating to:
escrow protection
SafeTrade Order Codes (SOC)
delivery methods
in-person meetup advisories
reporting of counterfeit or stolen items
dispute resolution
prohibited conduct
limitation of liability
SafeTrade (Pty) Ltd
Secure. Verified. Trusted.
This document is proprietary and confidential to SafeTrade. Unauthorised reproduction or distribution is prohibited.