Terms and Conditions of Sale

Orders must be in writing and are subject to acceptance by 3M in whole or in part. A purchase order receiving a written 3M order confirmation (“Order Confirmation”) with an estimated delivery date will be considered as accepted by 3M. An Order Confirmation with an “In Review” statement, or an acknowledgment of receipt of purchase order, does not constitute acceptance of such purchase order by 3M. Orders will not be processed via web portal applications. Any provisions in customers' orders which conflict with or are additional to these Terms and Conditions shall be excluded from contracts for supply.

Standard Orders
Orders received by 4pm (AEST/AEDT) that have no special delivery/handling requirements will be dispatched on the next working day with the exception of SA which will be dispatched Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

Split deliveries to different locations for single orders are not available.

Urgent Orders
Orders requiring urgent handling must be received by 1pm (AEST/AEDT). Please contact your Customer Service Representative for further details.

Same Day Pickup Orders
Orders requiring same day pick up must be received by 11am (AEST/AEDT). Please contact your Customer Service Representative for further details.

Drop Shipment Orders
Drop shipment orders to companies who are not wholly owned by 3M account customers are available at 3M’s discretion and will incur a minimum handling fee specified in the 3M price list in effect at that time. Please contact your Customer Service Representative for further details.

Minimum Order Value
A minimum order value may apply. Orders under the applicable minimum order value may incur a handling fee.

Order Cancellation Policy
Unless otherwise specifically stated in writing by 3M, an order that has been accepted by 3M may only be cancelled with 3M’s written consent.

Australian Orders: Freight paid into store is via cheapest route as selected by 3M. If other modes of transport are required, this will be at the cost of the customer. The method of transportation and the carrier will be at the selection of 3M. The customer will, upon receipt of the goods, inspect the same and lodge any complaint in accordance with clause 8(d) below.

Export Orders: 3M will dispatch export orders under FCA (named place of delivery) and you must utilise an Authorised 3M Freight Forwarder. While it will be your responsibility to negotiate relevant contractual terms with the Authorised 3M Freight Forwarder you acknowledge and agree that 3M is not in any way liable for the acts or omissions of the Authorised 3M Freight Forwarder. You also acknowledge and agree that you and/or the Authorised 3M Freight Forwarder will export the 3M Products within 60 days and confirm this, upon request from 3M. When requested by 3M, you and/or the Freight Forwarder will provide supporting documents as proof of export as required under Australian Tax Laws.

While 3M will endeavour to adhere to stipulated delivery times, delay, however caused, will not entitle the customer to claim from 3M. 3M shall not be liable to the customer for any claim for loss or damages of any kind, including failure by 3M to deliver if such failure is due to causes beyond 3M’s control or actions taken by 3M to address stewardship or regulatory concerns. In the case of delays caused by circumstances beyond the control of 3M or by the suppliers to 3M, 3M will have the right to either suspend deliveries without notice or to cancel the contract without liability.

PFAS Product Discontinuation
On December 20, 2022, 3M announced its decision to discontinue manufacturing all PFAS products, including but not limited to fluoropolymers, fluorinated fluids, and PFAS-based additive products, by the end of 2025. 3M intends to help facilitate an orderly transition for its customers, however, the planned exit is not intended to enable the building of an inventory stockpile for our customers or channel partners. 3M cannot guarantee availability of these products or offer last time buys as part of the planned discontinuation.

Unless the customer has a written supply agreement with 3M to the contrary, 3M reserves the right to change prices and/or otherwise pass on cost increases to you at any time, and will use reasonable efforts to provide at least 30 days’ notice.  Revised prices may apply to all orders shipped after the effective date of the price change.  For clarity, blanket orders and orders specifying future dated shipments may also be billed at the pricing in effect on the date of shipment. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, prices are exclusive of all taxes, delivery charges, insurance, duties and associated expenses, which will be charged to the customer (as applicable).

Any such additional costs will be passed on to the customer. All price changes will be made in compliance with the current applicable Government Regulations.

Credit may be given to customers who have had their Credit Application on the prescribed form approved by 3M prior to ordering goods. Where credit is given, Payment Terms shall be as agreed in writing between 3M and the customer and accounts shall be settled in full on or by the agreed due date. In the event Payment Terms have not been agreed, 3M’s Standard Payment Terms of full settlement of account on or by the last working day of the month following the month in which goods were purchased i.e. net 30 days shall apply. Any variations to Payment Terms must be authorised by 3M in writing.

Failure to pay an account on the due date entitles 3M to suspend delivery, refuse further orders and cancel any existing contract for supply without further notice. Credit may be withdrawn if customer exceeds the authorised credit limit.

Interest is chargeable on overdue balances at the rate of 2 per cent for the whole or part of each month during which such accounts are unpaid. The rate of interest may be varied from time to time by 3M giving written notice to the customer.

Customer may be required by 3M to give security and/or surety. 3M is entitled to recover all and any legal and other costs and expenses arising from the collection of any overdue monies.

3M is authorised to make all reasonable enquiries as to the creditworthiness and financial responsibility of a customer who has applied for and/or has been given credit including obtaining credit reports from credit reporting agencies from time to time.

The following specifies the conditions under which returned goods and claims for adjustment of account will be accepted by 3M:

(a)   Claims must be initiated by phone, fax, email or mail. However telephone contact is preferred, this being the most timely and efficient method for both parties.

For all claims, contact 3M’s Customer Service Department, the exception being claims regarding allegedly defective products, in which case the first point of contact should be the customer’s regular 3M Sales Representative.

The unilateral deduction of unverified claim amounts from periodic remittances to 3M is a practice not consistent with this policy and procedure.

(b)   Goods the subject of a claim must not be returned to 3M without prior agreement and the issue of a 3M Returned Goods Authorisation.

Provided the claim is within this policy, 3M will arrange for collection of the goods by its authorised carrier and will credit the customer’s account as soon as possible, following receipt of the goods by 3M and subject to the conditions as noted below. If goods are returned without 3M Returned Goods Authorisation requests for credit may be rejected. 3M will not accept freight forward charges.

Credits issued prior to receipt of returned goods are done so in good faith conditional upon the following:

            (i)    the goods physically returned to 3M correspond to the goods described in the claim; and

            (ii)   with the exception of damaged or defective goods claims, the goods are in saleable condition and retain sufficient shelf life to enable 3M to offer the goods for sale under the standard shelf life policy applicable to such goods. The claim may be rejected or adjusted to the extent such conditions are not met.

(c)   The standard notification period for claims is 30 days from invoice. Exceptions are noted below.

(d)   Claims beyond the notification periods, or otherwise made or taken outside this policy and procedure will not be accepted.

(e)   PFAS Return Policy: No returns will be accepted for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), or non-standard products unless the return is based on a quality issue, warranty claim, or due to 3M error. No returns will be accepted for expedited Orders.

(a)   Errors attributable to 3M or its Carriers – Claims must be initiated within 30 days of invoice, quoting applicable invoice number(s).

(b)   Ordering Errors and Other Returns Attributable to the customer
Standard Stock Items – Claims must be made within 30 days of invoice, quoting invoice number, and must meet the requirements and conditions specified in clause 7(b) (i) and (ii) above. Any handling or freight charges invoiced to the customer at time of supply will not be credited upon return of the goods. At its discretion, 3M may apply a handling and administration charge to the returned goods transaction. The charges applicable at any given time are specified in the 3M price lists in effect at that time.

Non Standard Items, i.e. products modified or converted from its original form by the customer (e.g. split, printed, die-cut, laminated etc.) or manufactured, acquired or imported to meet a specific order OR standard stock items purchased under special conditions specifically excluding return – These goods will not be accepted for return and credit under any circumstances unless subject to quality complaint, damage or warranty provisions as described in (d) and (e) below.

(c)   Pricing Claims - Claims for credit based on incorrect pricing of goods, services or other 3M charges, must be made to 3M within 30 days of invoice date, quoting applicable invoice number(s).

(d)   Goods Damaged, Lost in Transit or Short Delivered - Such claims must be made within 30 days of date of invoice, quoting invoice number. Damaged goods must not be returned to 3M without prior agreement. Within this policy, 3M will arrange for collection of the goods and credit the customer’s account subject to clause 7(a) above. The processing of claims for goods lost in transit or short delivered will be subject to prior verification against delivery/receipt documentation maintained by 3M’s carriers. Claims against goods received “subject to check” will not be accepted unless this practice has been specifically agreed between the parties in advance.

(e)   Claims regarding allegedly Defective Products – Except where specific warranty provisions apply, claims alleging defective product must be made to 3M within 3 months of supply or within the recommended shelf life of the product, whichever is the shorter period. Where a specific warranty period applies from date of purchase, this will define the period within which claims will be accepted. All goods alleged to be defective are subject to inspection by 3M’s Sales Representatives and/or laboratory staff prior to acceptance of the claim. The initial point of contact for such claims is the customer’s regular 3M Sales Representative. Where a claim is proven, credit will be given as soon as possible.

(f)   The Return of Goods at the Instigation or Request of 3M – With the prior agreement of the customer, 3M will initiate the collection of subject goods and issue a credit upon verification of the quantities and dollar amounts involved. Since typically these requests relate to product replacement or withdrawal, or special market conditions, issues of saleability and shelf life will vary with the situation and will therefore be agreed in writing at the time of 3M’s initial request.

(g)   Rebates and Other Allowances – These claims must be submitted to 3M in writing and will be processed by 3M upon verification.

Risk in the goods shall pass on delivery but legal and equitable title shall remain with 3M until it has received payment in full for those goods. Pending such payment, the customer shall hold the goods as bailee for 3M and shall return the goods to 3M if so requested. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the customer as fiduciary may sell or deal with the goods in the ordinary course of its business whereupon the bailment shall immediately terminate. The customer shall, if so required, identify the goods as belonging to 3M. All risks in respect of delivery will be borne by the customer from the time the goods cease to be within the actual legal possession of 3M or its agents.

(a)   Customer’s Rights – Customers should seek advice as to their rights. Any rights implied by statute that cannot be excluded restricted or modified are not affected by this procedure or by endorsements on the goods or packages. Subject to that, 3M’s liability for the goods is limited to claims permitted under this procedure and to any express warranty given on the goods and liability for consequential loss including loss arising from negligence is hereby excluded. In cases where it is legally permitted, any remaining liability implied by statute is limited, at 3M’s option, to repair or replacement of the goods.

(b)   Distributor Obligations - A distributor must inform its customer that statutory rights may exist despite contrary endorsements on the goods or packages. The reseller must only limit its liability to its customers to the extent permitted by statute.