Terms and Conditions

This document establishes the legally binding framework between The Animal Republic and the Customer. It governs order automation via the Printful API, strict 2-hour cancellation windows, merchant network dispute terms, and international data processing standards under GDPR and CCPA.

Effective Date: June 3, 2026

Last Updated: June 3, 2026

The website located at theanimalrepublic.com (hereafter “the Store”) is owned and operated by The Animal Republic. The Store operates an automated, decentralized e-commerce architecture utilizing the WooCommerce framework on WordPress, styled with the Blocksy theme environment.

By accessing the Store, executing a transaction, or completing a purchase, you (hereafter “the Customer”) agree to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, you are prohibited from utilizing this platform.

Print-on-Demand Production and Manufacturing Framework

Custom Bespoke Production

The Store maintains zero physical product inventory. Every item offered across our catalog of over 500 distinct animal graphics is custom-manufactured to order. When a Customer finalizes an order, the transaction metadata is transmitted via an automated Application Programming Interface (API) directly to our global fulfillment partner, Printful. Production lines, textile picking, and digital printing initiate dynamically upon receipt of this transmission.

Absolute Two-Hour Modification and Cancellation Window

Because the manufacturing ecosystem is automated and integrated directly with physical production queues, a strict operational window is enforced for all order adjustments:

  • Pre-Queue Window (Within 120 Minutes): The Customer may request an address correction, sizing change, graphic variation swap, or absolute cancellation by submitting an urgent administrative ticket to admin@theanimalrepublic.com within exactly two (2) hours of the transaction timestamp.
  • Post-Queue Window (After 120 Minutes): Once the two-hour threshold expires, the order payload integrates into the physical manufacturing infrastructure. At this stage, production cannot be suspended, reversed, or terminated. The Customer assumes full financial liability for the order as submitted. No modifications, cancellations, or cash refunds can be executed under any circumstances after this period.

Chargeback Defense, Merchant Protections, and Refund Matrix

Official Merchant Defense Statement

NOTICE TO ACQUIRING BANKS, PAYMENT PROCESSORS (VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX, DISCOVER), AND DISPUTE ANALYSTS:
THE ANIMAL REPUBLIC ENFORCES A STRICT POLICY OF NO RETURNS, NO REFUNDS, AND NO EXCHANGES FOR REASONS OF BUYER’S REMORSE, SPECULATIVE SIZING, OR PRODUCT DESIGN SELECTION. THIS POLICY MATRIX IS EXPLICITLY DISPLAYED AND MANDATORILY ACKNOWLEDGED PRIOR TO CHECKOUT. THIS DOCUMENT SECTIONS ARE RECORDED AS CONFIRMATION OF CUSTOMER ASSENT TO DISPUTE “PRODUCT NOT AS DESCRIBED” OR “UNAUTHORIZED TRANSACTION” CLAIMS.

Sizing Validation and Customer Liability

Highly detailed, accurate physical sizing charts (detailing widths, lengths, and industry-standard manufacturing tolerances of up to 1 inch or 2.54 cm) are displayed across all product display pages. It is the sole structural responsibility of the Customer to consult these metrics prior to final checkout. Subjective variations in fit or customer measurement translation errors do not constitute a product defect and will not be remediated.

Affirmative Assent to Terms

The WooCommerce gateway is configured to restrict payment execution until the Customer actively selects a mandatory checkbox affirming compliance with these Terms and Conditions. This digital signature serves as explicit, prior consent to the bespoke nature of the item, multi-currency settlement terms, and a complete waiver of the right to seek merchant remediation or file chargebacks under claims of unauthorized purchase or structural misrepresentation.

Damaged, Defective, or Misprinted Goods Exception Protocol

The Store provides factory-backed protection exclusively for verified manufacturing errors or transit damages.

A. Verification Submission Windows

To qualify for a complimentary replacement of a structurally compromised or misprinted item, the Customer must file an administrative claim to admin@theanimalrepublic.com within thirty (30) calendar days of the shipping carrier’s validated delivery date. Submissions must contain the following structural evidence:

  • The original numeric WooCommerce Order ID.
  • High-resolution photographic proof capturing the precise physical textile defect, structural print peeling, or significant ink alignment variance.
  • A clear photograph of the shipping label affixed to the original packaging to verify factory batch codes.

B. Exclusion and Remedy Boundaries

This protocol strictly excludes claims originating from normal wear and tear, customer mishandling, improper laundering, or entry errors concerning delivery addresses. Approved claims result exclusively in a complimentary manufacturing replication of the original item ordered; no alternative product substitutions or cash refunds will be authorized.

Logistics, Carrier Milestones, and Import Tariff Liabilities

A. Carrier Tracking Validation and Title Transfer

The Store’s legal obligation regarding product delivery is fulfilled completely upon the third-party shipping carrier’s (e.g., DHL, FedEx, USPS, DPD) publication of a “Delivered” tracking milestone status. The Store bears no operational or financial liability for:

  • Package theft post-delivery (“porch piracy”).
  • Localized postal carrier delivery errors or operational delays.
  • Delivery failures caused by erroneous or incomplete address data provided by the Customer at checkout.

B. Cross-Border Customs, Duties, and Taxes

While primary administrative management originates out of the Philippines, product fulfillment and shipping logistics occur via Printful’s automated production facilities distributed across North America and Europe. For all cross-border shipments, the Customer operates as the definitive Importer of Record.

The Customer assumes absolute financial liability for all localized value-added taxes (VAT), import tariffs, customs duties, or entry clearance fees levied by destination border authorities. Refusal to settle localized customs fees resulting in package abandonment or destruction by the carrier constitutes a total forfeiture of the asset; no refunds, credits, or replacements will be generated.

Cross-Border Regulatory Data Privacy and Security Framework

The Store operates in compliance with international data privacy standards governing users within the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United States.

A. Data Collection, Pixels, and Cookie Logging

To optimize storefront operations within the WordPress/Blocksy architecture, the Store deploys persistent and session-based tracking cookies, server-side data logs, and tracking pixels (including Meta, Google Analytics, and Pinterest tags). This metadata collection tracks web traffic, cart abandonment behaviors, and browsing activity to facilitate transactional optimization.

B. Regulatory Privacy Mandates

  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR Compliance): For residents of the European Union, the processing of personal data is justified under the execution of a contract (order processing) and legitimate commercial interests. EU data subjects maintain the right to access, rectify, or demand the absolute erasure of their personal metadata (“Right to be Forgotten”) by contacting our compliance officer at admin@theanimalrepublic.com.
  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA Compliance): California consumers retain the right to request disclosure of personal data collected, request deletion of that data, and opt out of any sharing matrices. The Store does not sell consumer data to third-party brokers; data transfers are restricted solely to shipping logistics providers (Printful) and secure transaction processors.

C. Secure Checkout and Transaction Processing

All transaction paths across our multi-currency checkout pipeline are encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. Credit card details and financial tokens are processed directly by PCI-DSS compliant financial institutions (Stripe, PayPal). The Store never archives, stores, or retains raw credit card numbers or sensitive CVV codes within its native WordPress database.

Governing Law and Exclusive Forum Selection

These Terms and Conditions, alongside any commercial interactions or legal disputes arising from transactions on this platform, shall be governed, construed, and enforced exclusively under the consumer protection and commercial statutory laws of the Philippines, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal action, arbitration, or judicial proceeding must be filed exclusively in a competent court of jurisdiction located within the Philippines.