Terms of service

Here is a fully revised Terms of Service for MERIDIAN CONTAINER DEPOT, tailored to comply with South African law (specifically the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 / CPA, Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 / ECTA, and POPIA) and Google Merchant Center policies.

TERMS OF SERVICE

Last updated: July 12, 2026

OVERVIEW

This website is operated by MERIDIAN CONTAINER DEPOT (referred to as "we", "us", or "our"). MERIDIAN CONTAINER DEPOT operates this online store and website, including all related information, content, features, tools, products, and services to provide you, the customer, with a curated shopping experience (the "Services"). Our store is hosted on Shopify Inc., which provides us with the e-commerce platform to deliver these Services to you.

These Terms of Service ("Terms") set out the legally binding terms and conditions governing your use of our website and purchase of our products. By visiting, browsing, accessing, or placing an order through our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms, together with our [Privacy Policy] and [Refund & Return Policy]. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use our Services.

SECTION 1 - ACCESS AND ACCOUNT ELIGIBILITY

By agreeing to these Terms of Service, you represent that you are at least 18 years of age (the legal age of majority in South Africa) or that you are using the Services with the explicit consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian.

To make a purchase or register an account, you may be required to provide personal information such as your name, billing address, delivery address, phone number, and payment details. You warrant that all information you provide is complete, accurate, and current. You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account.

SECTION 2 - PRODUCTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

We make every effort to display the details, dimensions, specifications, and colors of our products—including shipping containers, modified containers, and container homes—as accurately as possible. However:

Visual representations (including screen renders and photos) may vary depending on your device's display settings.
All container specifications and descriptions are subject to change without notice at our sole discretion prior to order confirmation.
We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to limit the sales of our products or Services to any person, geographic region, or jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis.

SECTION 3 - ORDERS AND CONTRACT FORMATION

Order Placement: Placing an order through our online store constitutes an offer to purchase. An order is only deemed accepted by us once we issue an official written Order Confirmation email and receive payment.
Cancellations & Modifications: Prior to dispatch or custom modification, order cancellation or modification requests may be considered in accordance with our [Refund & Return Policy] and applicable provisions of the South African Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA).
Right to Decline: We reserve the right to decline or cancel any order (for example, in the event of clear pricing errors, stock unavailability, or suspected fraudulent transactions), in which case a full refund will be issued promptly.

SECTION 4 - PRICING AND PAYMENT TERMS

Currency & Pricing: All prices displayed on our website are quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Taxes & Charges: Prices displayed will clearly indicate whether Value Added Tax (VAT) and shipping/delivery charges are included or calculated separately at checkout.
Price Changes: We reserve the right to update product pricing at any time. The price charged for an order will be the price displayed at the time the order was submitted.
Payment Processing: Payment must be made via our approved secure payment gateways (e.g., Credit/Debit Card or Direct EFT). You represent and warrant that you are authorized to use the chosen payment method and that all billing details provided are accurate.

SECTION 5 - SHIPPING, DELIVERY, AND RISK

Delivery Estimates: Delivery lead times and dates provided during checkout or in confirmation emails are estimates only. While we make every effort to meet delivery schedules, we are not liable for delays caused by third-party transport operators, weather conditions, or unforeseen logistics delays.
Passing of Risk: Pursuant to Section 20 of the South African Consumer Protection Act (CPA), risk of loss or damage to goods passes to you upon physical delivery to the agreed delivery address or upon collection by your designated representative.

SECTION 6 - CONSUMER PROTECTION RIGHTS (SOUTH AFRICA)

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any statutory rights or remedies you hold under the South African Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) or Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA).

5-Day Cooling-Off Period (ECTA s44): For goods purchased online, you are entitled to cancel your transaction within 5 business days of delivery without penalty, subject to returning the goods in their original condition (return transport costs remain your responsibility unless the goods are defective).
Statutory Warranty (CPA s56): Goods supplied carry a standard statutory warranty against structural or manufacturing defects for up to 6 months from delivery, entitling you to repair, replacement, or refund if the product is defective.

SECTION 7 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All content on this website—including logos, trademarks, text, graphics, designs, images, and software—is the property of MERIDIAN CONTAINER DEPOT, its licensors, or Shopify, and is protected by South African and international intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, or create derivative works from any part of our website without our prior written consent.

SECTION 8 - OPTIONAL THIRD-PARTY TOOLS & LINKS

We may provide you with access to optional third-party tools (such as live chat widgets or logistics tracking platforms) and links to third-party websites over which we have no operational control. You acknowledge that access to such tools is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind. Your use of third-party tools or external websites is entirely at your own risk and subject to the respective third party's terms and conditions.

SECTION 9 - RELATIONSHIP WITH SHOPIFY

Our store is hosted by Shopify Inc., which provides the technical infrastructure for our e-commerce operations. You acknowledge that sales and contractual agreements are made directly between you and MERIDIAN CONTAINER DEPOT. Shopify is not a party to your transactions and is not liable for any claims, losses, or damages arising out of your purchases from us.

SECTION 10 - PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION

Your privacy is paramount to us. All personal data collected through your use of our website or during purchase transactions is processed strictly in accordance with our [Privacy Policy] and South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).

SECTION 11 - PROHIBITED USES

In addition to other restrictions set out in these Terms, you are prohibited from using the site or its content:

For any unlawful, fraudulent, or unauthorized purpose.
To violate any local, national, or international laws or regulations.
To infringe upon or violate our intellectual property rights or those of others.
To transmit viruses, malware, or malicious code designed to disrupt site functionality.
To collect, scrape, or track personal information of other users.
To attempt to bypass or circumvent any security measures deployed on the website.

SECTION 12 - LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMERS

Service Availability: While we strive to maintain uninterrupted site availability, the Services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis.
Liability Cap: To the maximum extent permitted by South African law (including CPA Sections 48 and 61), MERIDIAN CONTAINER DEPOT, its directors, employees, or agents shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages resulting from your use of our Services or products. Our total cumulative liability shall be limited to the total amount paid by you for the product or service giving rise to the claim.

SECTION 13 - INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless MERIDIAN CONTAINER DEPOT, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and platform suppliers (including Shopify) from any third-party claims, liabilities, damages, and legal fees arising out of your breach of these Terms of Service or violation of any applicable law.

SECTION 14 - SEVERABILITY

If any provision of these Terms is determined by a competent South African court to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, such provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, and the invalid portion shall be severed without affecting the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.

SECTION 15 - GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

These Terms of Service and any separate agreements under which we supply goods or Services to you shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. You agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of South Africa for the resolution of any disputes.

SECTION 16 - CHANGES TO TERMS OF SERVICE

We reserve the right to update, modify, or replace any part of these Terms by posting updates on our website. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the date of the latest revisions. Continued access to or use of our Services following any changes constitutes your acceptance of those updates.