Privacy Policy

1. Overview

USAutoExport operates an international vehicle and spare parts export platform. In the course of providing our services, we collect and process personal information from customers, visitors, and business partners.

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through:

• Our website (https://usautoexport.com) and customer dashboard;
• Email, WhatsApp, phone, and other communications;
• Order placement and payment processing;
• Shipping and customs documentation;
• Marketing and customer support interactions.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Identity: Name, date of birth, government-issued ID (for high-value orders), passport details (for export documentation);
• Contact: Email, phone, WhatsApp, mailing address, city, country;
• Business: Company name, business registration number, tax ID, importer license;
• Consignee details: Name, address, phone, ID, tax number (for delivery and customs);
• Financial: Payment method, bank details (for wire transfers), transaction history;
• Orders: Vehicles and parts purchased, shipping preferences, delivery instructions;
• Communications: Messages, support tickets, chat logs, call recordings (if applicable).

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device: IP address, browser type, operating system, device type;
• Usage: Pages viewed, links clicked, time spent, search queries;
• Location: Approximate location based on IP address;
• Cookies: Session cookies, persistent cookies, analytics cookies (see our Cookie Policy).

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• Payment processors (transaction confirmation, fraud alerts);
• Shipping carriers and logistics partners (tracking updates);
• Credit reporting agencies (for financing, if applicable);
• Public sources (sanctions lists, corporate registries).

3. How We Collect Information

• Directly from you when you register, place orders, or contact us;
• Automatically through cookies and analytics when you use our Platform;
• From third parties such as payment gateways, shipping partners, and customs brokers.

4. How We Use Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: Processing orders, generating invoices, coordinating shipping, providing customer support;
• Payment Processing: Verifying payments, preventing fraud, issuing refunds;
• Shipping & Customs: Preparing export documents, coordinating with carriers, complying with customs requirements;
• Communication: Responding to inquiries, sending order updates, notifying you of shipments;
• Marketing: Sending promotional emails, newsletters, and offers (with opt-out available);
• Analytics: Understanding user behavior, improving our Platform, and developing new features;
• Legal Compliance: Complying with export control laws, sanctions, tax reporting, and other legal obligations;
• Security: Detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access.

5. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we process your information under the following legal bases:

• Contract: To fulfill orders and provide services you have requested;
• Legal Obligation: To comply with export, tax, and customs laws;
• Legitimate Interest: For fraud prevention, analytics, and improving our services;
• Consent: For marketing emails, cookies (non-essential), and other optional processing.

6. Sharing Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with:

• Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal, M-Pesa, Flutterwave, and other gateways to process transactions;
• Shipping & Logistics: Carriers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers to deliver your order;
• Customs & Government Authorities: As required by export/import regulations;
• Service Providers: Email, SMS, WhatsApp, hosting, and analytics providers who assist our operations;
• Legal & Regulatory: When required by law, subpoena, or to protect our rights;
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

7. International Data Transfers

Because we operate internationally, your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own, including the United States and Japan.

When we transfer personal data from the EEA/UK to other countries, we rely on:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission;
• Adequacy decisions where applicable;
• Your explicit consent in specific cases.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, plus a reasonable period for:

• Legal and regulatory compliance (e.g., tax records, export documentation);
• Dispute resolution;
• Fraud prevention;
• Enforcement of agreements.

Typical retention periods:

• Account data: Until you delete your account, plus 90 days;
• Order records: 7 years (for tax and export compliance);
• Payment records: 7 years;
• Support tickets: 3 years;
• Marketing consent: Until withdrawn.

9. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• HTTPS/TLS encryption for all data transmission;
• Password hashing using bcrypt;
• Role-based access controls;
• Regular security audits and vulnerability scans;
• Firewall and intrusion detection systems;
• Data backup and disaster recovery procedures.

No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please safeguard your login credentials and notify us immediately of any suspicious activity.

10. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data;
• Deletion: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal retention requirements);
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing;
• Portability: Request transfer of your data in a machine-readable format;
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interest;
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for marketing at any time;
• Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

To exercise any right, email support@usautoexport.com. We will respond within 30 days.

11. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and deliver targeted content. For details, see our Cookie Policy.

12. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe we have collected data from a child, contact us immediately.

13. Third-Party Links

Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., social media, partner sites). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. Please review their privacy policies separately.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Material changes will be notified by email or via a prominent notice on the Platform. The "Last updated" date reflects the most recent revision.

15. Contact Us

For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights:

• Email: support@usautoexport.com
• Address: [Company Address]
• Data Protection Officer: [DPO Name/Contact, if applicable]

If you are in the EEA/UK and are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

Disclaimer: This document is a general template for informational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified attorney to ensure compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other applicable privacy laws.