web2019/content/about-us/faq.md

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##### Why are you in Hong Kong?

Low taxes, efficient infrastructure, no import/export fees and red tape for most products including high-tech items, good quality of life. 

##### Why are you in Manila?

For the convenience of our customers who may be discouraged from doing business with companies registered in Hong Kong.

##### Where will my Sinara order be manufactured and where will it ship from?

M-Labs can manufacture Sinara hardware orders in Hong Kong, or, upon request, in Manila, Philippines. Additional fees, minimum quantities, and/or extended lead times may apply to orders to be made in the Philippines. Shipping is from the manufacturing place.

##### Do I need to pay additional import fees?

M-Labs ships orders according to FCA or DAP terms as defined by the International Commercial Terms (Incoterms<sup>®</sup>) published by the International Chamber of Commerce, edition 2020.

According to these terms, you are responsible for resolving problems created by customs at the destination country, at your own expense.

##### How will my order be shipped?

M-Labs ships with UPS by default, and we also offer FedEx and DHL shipping at an additional fee. We can ship on your courier account and you may also arrange your own pickup and shipping. For orders exceeding USD 200.00, there is no handling fee.

##### Can I have a discount?

M-Labs offers discounts in the following cases:
 * 10% discount plus free DAP shipping if the research supported by our equipment is made public and exclusively published in a non-predatory scientific journal. A non-predatory journal is defined as an open access journal with an article processing fee of USD 500.00 or less.
 * Volume discounts (applies to new orders and not retroactively, volume is determined over the 365 days prior to the new order, the new order is included in the amount compared against the threshold):
   - 2% discount with an order volume exceeding USD 100,000.00.
   - 4% discount with an order volume exceeding USD 250,000.00.
 * Use of our equipment exclusively in jurisdictions outside the World Bank's "High Income" group, and where the R&D expenditure is less than 2% of GDP as determined by the World Bank, and which do not possess nuclear weapons.
 * Equipment with cosmetic or other minor damage - please enquire.
 * Advanced hobbyist and amateur use. Please describe your project when applying for the discount and provide supporting evidence (e.g. publications of past projects, personal website, copy of amateur radio license, ...).
 
 We reserve the right of final decision regarding discount eligibility and amount.
 
##### What are your payment terms?

For most established institutions (determined at our discretion), we offer Net 15 and Net 30 terms after delivery. Please enquire from your institutional email address to help us determine your eligibility for these terms.

For all others, payment is due 100% in advance before shipment.

Letters of credit are not an option.
 
##### What currency can I pay in?

We accept all major currencies including USD, EUR, RMB, GBP, BTC and XMR.

##### Can I pay by credit card?

Yes, however processing credit cards is expensive and you need to cover the costs. 4\% card processing fee applies for payment by credit card in Hong Kong dollars. 7\% card processing and exchange fee applies for payment by credit card in US dollars.
 
##### We are a distributor. Can we have exclusive rights to your products?

Exclusivity is subject to contractual minimum order volumes determined at our discretion, but generally exceeding USD 300,000.00 per year for most countries.

##### We are a recruitment firm. Can we help you find talent?
 
No.