Terms of service

Terms of Service | 이용약관

Article 1 (Purpose)

Article 1 (Purpose) These Terms and Conditions aim to regulate the rights, obligations, and responsibilities, as well as the terms of trade, between Kinfolk Beauty Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), located in Korea, and users when selling fragrance-related products (hereinafter referred to as "Products") such as perfumes, hand creams, body washes, diffusers, candles, and lotions to customers worldwide through the global e-commerce site (hereinafter referred to as the "Site") operated by the Company. These Terms are fundamentally based on Korean law but comply with global consumer protection regulations, including those of the United States and Japan.

Article 2 (Definitions)

The definitions of the terms used in these Terms are as follows:

"User" means a person who accesses the Site and uses the products or services provided by the Company in accordance with these Terms. This includes all customers who visit the Site or purchase Products, regardless of membership registration. "Member" means a person who registers as a member on the Site, sets up an ID and password, continuously receives information from the Company, and uses the services. "Non-Member" means a person who uses the services provided by the Company without membership registration. "Products" mean fragrance-related goods, such as perfumes, cosmetics, and household items, sold by the Company through the Site, and do not include digital content. "Order" means the act of an User applying to purchase Products through the Site. Terms not defined herein shall be governed by relevant laws and general commercial practices.

Article 3 (Specification and Revision of Terms)

The Company publishes the contents of these Terms on the initial screen of the Site or through a connected screen so that Users can easily know them. The Terms shall specify provisions such as the refund/return policy, shipping policy, and dispute resolution clause. The Company may revise these Terms within the scope that does not violate relevant laws, such as the 「Act on the Regulation of Terms and Conditions」, and the 「Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce, etc.」 (hereinafter referred to as the "E-Commerce Act"). When the Company revises the Terms, it shall clearly specify the effective date and the reason for the revision and announce them through a notice on the Site or email at least 7 days prior (30 days prior for changes unfavorable to the User). If the User does not explicitly express disagreement after the revised Terms are announced until the effective date, the User is considered to have consented to the revised Terms. If the User does not agree to the revised Terms, the User may terminate the service agreement.

Article 4 (Formation of Service Agreement and Order Procedure)

The purchase contract for the Product is formed when the User applies to purchase the product presented on the Site, and the Company expresses its acceptance. The Company’s expression of acceptance may take the form of sending an order confirmation email or displaying a payment completion notification screen. However, the Company may refuse or cancel the order application in the following cases:

• If the order contains false information or misstatements.

• If a minor purchases a product without the consent of a legal representative.

• If normal provision is difficult due to product shortages, technical defects, or other reasons (in this case, the Company promptly notifies the reason and refunds any already paid amount).

The User must sufficiently check the detailed product information, including the product name, price, composition, shipping fee, and refund conditions, before payment. The Company specifies essential product information (volume, ingredients, precautions, etc.) on the product page. If this information differs from the display/advertisement content or the contract is fulfilled differently from the contract content, the User may cancel the order or request a return within 3 months from the date of receiving the product or within 30 days from the date the User became aware of the fact.

Order Procedure:

1. Adding to Cart: The User selects the desired products and adds them to the shopping cart.

2. Order Application: The User enters the shipping information and payment method, confirms the purchase, and the order application is made.

3. Order Confirmation: The Company confirms the order details, approves the payment, and sends an order confirmation message (e.g., confirmation email). The purchase contract is established at this point.

4. Delivery Processing: After payment confirmation, the Company prepares and ships the product within the set period.

The Company manages inventory to ensure delivery within a reasonably expected period and will ship the product within the advertised estimated delivery period or within 30 days from the order date if no separate period is set. If shipping within the advertised period is difficult or if it will exceed 30 days, the Company will promptly notify the reason for the delay and obtain the User's consent for a refund or delivery delay, according to the User's choice.

Article 5 (Payment Method)

Payment for products purchased on the Site can be made through various payment methods designated by the Company in advance, such as credit card, debit card, PayPal, bank transfer, and mobile payment.

For the convenience of international customers, the product price may be displayed in currencies other than Korean Won (KRW), such as US Dollars (USD) or Japanese Yen (JPY), but the final payment may be processed based on KRW. A slight difference in the amount may occur due to exchange rate fluctuations or card fees, which follows the policies of the card company or other payment institutions.

The amount actually payable by the User includes the product price, VAT (if applicable), and shipping fee (if the shipping fee is separate). The Company clearly guides these details during the payment process and notifies that additional fees (e.g., international payment fees) may be imposed by the payment method provider.

The Company applies security measures, such as encryption, through a Payment Gateway (PG) company to ensure secure transactions when the User makes a payment. Furthermore, the User's financial information (card number, etc.) is handled directly by the Payment Gateway during the payment process, and the Company obtains only the minimum information within the scope allowed by law.

Article 6 (International Shipping, Customs Clearance, and Taxes)

The Company ships products to various countries worldwide and provides information on available shipping services and estimated delivery times for each country on the Site. International shipping may typically take 5 to 30 business days and may be delayed due to customs processing schedules or international logistics situations in each country. Estimated delivery times are for reference only, and the Company is not responsible for delivery delays due to force majeure, customs delays, logistics company strikes, or other reasons beyond the Company's control. However, delays due to the Company's willful misconduct or gross negligence are an exception.

• Import Duties and Taxes: Customs duties, VAT (Value-Added Tax), customs clearance fees, and other taxes imposed by the destination country upon the product's arrival are the responsibility of the recipient (User) in accordance with the laws of that country. If these costs occur, the local customs or shipping company may charge the User directly. The Company is not responsible for issues arising from the User's failure to pay these costs (e.g., failure to receive the product, return).

• Customs Documents and Procedures: The Company accurately prepares and includes or electronically submits the necessary documents for customs clearance, such as product value and item details. When ordering international shipping, the User is responsible for providing accurate information required for customs clearance and confirming that the product is not prohibited or restricted from import under local laws. Customs issues arising from the import restriction of the product in the User's country are, in principle, the User's responsibility. If the product is returned due to this, the Company may refund the amount after deducting the round-trip shipping fee and incurred costs.

The Company complies with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Mail Order Rule and will promptly inform the User of the reason for the delay and alternative options (e.g., order cancellation and refund) if shipping within the advertised delivery period is difficult. Furthermore, in compliance with Japan's 「Act on Specified Commercial Transactions」, the Company accurately discloses information regarding the delivery period and shipping in advance.

Article 7 (Transfer of Ownership and Risk Bearing)

The ownership of the Product is transferred to the User at the time the User takes delivery of the Product (completion of delivery). Until delivery, the risk of loss or damage to the Product is borne by the Company; after delivery, it is borne by the User. If the Product is lost or damaged during shipping, the User must promptly notify the Company's customer center. If the tracking shows the Product is lost or damage occurred due to the shipping company's fault, the Company will consult with the shipping company to take measures such as reshipment or refund, and the User will not bear any additional costs in this case. If the User finds the Product visibly damaged upon receipt before opening or receives a different product from the order, the User must notify the Company within 7 days of receipt. In such cases, the Company will provide a replacement product reshipment or a refund, and all costs incurred for return and reshipment will be borne by the Company.

Article 8 (Subscription Withdrawal and Refund Policy)

• Right of Withdrawal: If the User enters into a product purchase contract on the Site, the User may withdraw the subscription (cancel the purchase) without a specific reason within 7 days from the date of receiving the product, in accordance with Korean law. This is the minimum right of withdrawal applied to all customers worldwide, and the Company complies with Korean law to provide an equal opportunity for withdrawal to global customers. However, the right of withdrawal may be restricted in cases falling under the following restrictions on withdrawal.

• Restrictions on Withdrawal: In the following cases, the User cannot request a return or refund even within the subscription withdrawal period (within 7 days of receipt):

  • If the product is lost or damaged due to a reason attributable to the User (excluding cases where the packaging is damaged simply to confirm the contents).

  • If the product's value has significantly decreased due to the User's use or partial consumption (e.g., the product value drops when the packaging of perfume or cosmetics is opened and used, making return impossible).

  • If the product's value has significantly decreased to the extent that resale is difficult due to the passage of time (e.g., products nearing their expiration date).

  • If the packaging of a product that can be duplicated is damaged (e.g., products containing coupon codes or serial numbers within the package).

  • In the case of customized products that are individually produced according to the order, and the fact that the right of withdrawal is restricted has been notified in advance and written consent has been received. ※ The Company takes measures to ensure that the consumer's right of withdrawal is not impeded by clearly marking the non-cancellability on the product detail page or packaging for products where withdrawal is restricted as above.

• Refund Procedure: If the User requests cancellation or return within the withdrawal period, the Company will refund the payment within 3 business days after product collection and status confirmation, unless there is a specific reason for delay. Refunds for credit card payments follow the card company's policy and are processed as charge cancellations when requested within the set period. For bank transfers, etc., the refund is processed within 3 days after the User provides the account to receive the refund.

• In the case of refunds due to simple change of mind, the return shipping fee is borne by the User. The Company may deduct the round-trip shipping fee from the refund amount or instruct the User to return the item prepaid.

• In the case of refunds/exchanges due to the Company's fault, such as the product being defective, different from the advertised content, damage during shipping, or incorrect delivery, a full refund and free exchange are guaranteed. In this case, all costs for return shipping and reshipment are borne by the Company. Furthermore, in case of such fault, the consumer may request subscription withdrawal or exchange within 3 months from the date of receiving the product, or within 30 days from the date the consumer became aware of the fact (or could have become aware).

• Exceptions to Refund: In the case of international shipping, the refund may be restricted if the product is returned due to the User's refusal to receive it or long-term absence. If the product is returned and retrieved by the Company, only the amount after deducting the round-trip international shipping fee and return-related fees may be refunded. Furthermore, a refund may be impossible if the Company cannot retrieve the product, such as when it is disposed of due to failure to clear customs.

The Company respects the consumer protection laws of each country, and the refund/return policy set forth in these Terms applies only to the extent that it does not violate those consumer protection laws. For instance, refund restriction provisions unfavorable to the consumer under the Korean E-Commerce Act are invalid. In compliance with Japan's Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, matters related to returns (possibility, period, conditions, shipping fee burden) are clearly announced in advance. No content in these Terms is intended to infringe upon the consumer rights mandated by the mandatory laws of the User's local country.

Article 9 (Product Exchange and Quality Assurance)

• Responsibility for Product Defects: The Company is responsible for manufacturing defects or damage during shipping in the product received by the User in accordance with relevant laws. If the User discovers a defect after receiving the product, the User must notify the Company without delay, and the Company will promptly process the exchange or refund of the defective product. All costs incurred, such as round-trip shipping fees, are borne by the Company in this case.

• Exchange Procedure: If an exchange is necessary due to a product defect, the User applies for the exchange through the Company's customer center. The User explains the problem (submitting evidence such as photos if necessary) and applies for the exchange according to the guidance. The Company, in principle, exchanges the product for the same item. If the same product is out of stock, the Company may propose a refund or exchange for another product of equivalent value.

• Additional Warranty: If the Company separately provides a quality assurance certificate or after-sales service for a specific product, the content shall follow the product detail page or the enclosed guide.

• Legal Warranty: Where statutory quality assurance regulations apply commonly to all customers worldwide (e.g., commercial quality warranty for general goods in the U.S., etc.), the Company complies with those regulations. However, the Company may disclaim or limit implied warranties other than express warranties to the extent permitted by law. For example, implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose are recognized only to the extent permitted by applicable law. Since the exclusion of implied warranties may not be allowed in some jurisdictions, this clause is applied restrictively according to the law applicable to the User.

Article 10 (Limitation of Liability and Disclaimer)

• Exclusion of Indirect Damages, etc.: The Company is not responsible for indirect, special, consequential, or punitive damages other than direct damages related to products purchased by the User through the Site, unless there is willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the Company. This includes indirect damages such as loss of business profit, loss of data, and opportunity costs, and is applied to the maximum extent permitted by relevant laws.

• Responsibility for Product Use: Users must use the product safely according to its purpose and usage instructions. Users must consider personal specificities such as natural fragrance allergies or skin sensitivity, and the Company is not responsible for accidents resulting from careless use. However, for safety issues due to product defects or the Company's negligence, the Company shall bear liability for compensation under relevant laws, such as the Product Liability Act, for the respective product.

• Site Use Related: The Company is, in principle, exempt from liability in the following cases that may occur during site use:

  • Force Majeure: Damages resulting from service interruption or delay due to reasons beyond the Company's reasonable control, such as natural disasters, war, terrorism, hacking, communication failure, or power supply interruption.

  • User's Fault: Damages due to the User's negligence, such as poor account management, password leakage, or provision of inaccurate order information.

  • Third-Party Actions: Damages occurring in areas beyond the Company's direct control, such as the shipping company's negligence during delivery or errors in the payment system provided by a third party.

  • Content and Information: The Company strives to ensure the accuracy of content, such as product descriptions and images posted on the Site, but is not responsible for minor errors, such as language translation errors or printing mistakes. However, if such an error concerns important information and significantly affects the transaction, the User may cancel the contract or claim damages for that reason.

• Consumer Statutory Rights: No content in this Article is intended to limit the mandatory statutory rights applicable to the consumer (e.g., rights under the Australian Consumer Law, rights under the Japanese Consumer Contract Act), and the disclaimer or liability limitation clauses of these Terms shall not apply where prohibited by those laws. In particular, in accordance with the Japanese Consumer Contract Act, a disclaimer for damages due to the Company's willful misconduct or gross negligence shall not be effective.

The Company complies with relevant laws and commercial practices regarding matters not specified in these Terms, and in case of a conflict between the Terms and the law, the law shall prevail. If the User holds the Company responsible based on these Terms, the Company is protected by these clauses to the extent that the respective liability limitation clause is not invalidated.

11. Personal Information Protection

The Company establishes and publishes a separate Privacy Policy to protect users' personal information. Personal information obtained during membership registration and product purchase is collected and used in accordance with relevant laws and the Privacy Policy, and users can check the policy at any time. The Company complies with the Korean 「Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)」 and utilizes and safely manages users' personal information only within the scope of the purpose. Furthermore, by complying with overseas privacy protection laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in California, USA, and the Act on Protection of Personal Information (APPI) in Japan, the Company provides the rights and protection measures required by relevant laws even for the personal information of global users. (Refer to the Privacy Policy for details)

12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

• Governing Law: The laws of the United States shall apply to these Terms and all transactions between the User and the Company. This applies regardless of the determination of the governing law under private international law, and fundamental matters related to product sales and consumer protection shall follow relevant U.S. laws. However, this governing law clause is not intended to exclude protection under the mandatory laws of the consumer's country of residence, and the consumer may receive additional protection under the mandatory regulations of their country of residence.

• Dispute Resolution Procedure: In the event of a dispute between the Company and the User, mutual consultation shall be prioritized for smooth and prompt resolution. When a user inquiry or complaint is received, the Company faithfully investigates and responds and cooperates with the mediation procedure of consumer protection organizations if necessary.

• Jurisdiction and Trial: If the dispute is not resolved through consultation, both parties may seek resolution through legal procedures, such as civil litigation. In this case, the New York State Court in the United States shall be the exclusive court of jurisdiction for the first instance. However, if separate jurisdictional rules favorable to the consumer exist (e.g., jurisdiction rules of the consumer's residence in the European Union), those rules may be followed.

The Company acknowledges that complexity regarding jurisdiction and governing law may arise in case of disputes due to the nature of international transactions and strives to respect the local court rulings for overseas consumers. However, as stated in these Terms, the fundamental legal relationship follows Korean law, and dispute resolution based on Korean court rulings is the principle.

13. Miscellaneous Provisions

• Prohibition of Assignment: The User may not assign or dispose of their rights or obligations under these Terms to a third party without the Company's prior written consent.

• Severability: Even if any provision of these Terms is deemed invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected. The provision deemed invalid shall be applied within the minimum scope modified to comply with the relevant law; otherwise, it shall be deemed replaced by another provision within a reasonable scope.

• Customer Center: For matters not specified in the Terms or for disagreements regarding interpretation, please contact the Customer Center for prompt guidance:

  • Customer Center Contact: 02-790-3101, info@kinfolk.kr

  • Operating Hours: Weekdays 09:00~17:00 (Closed on weekends and public holidays)

• Language of the Terms: The Korean language version of these Terms is the authoritative text. If a translation of the Terms into English or other languages is provided, it is for the user's convenience, and the Korean version shall prevail in case of any difference in the interpretation of the Terms' content.

• Effective Date: These Terms shall take effect from August 1, 2025.