Terms of Use

1.1. Role of the Platform. The Platform is a digital marketplace operator that provides the technical infrastructure for the purchase and sale, by way of auction, of Auction Items (see 2.2.) – including agricultural animals, agricultural machinery, farm inventory and equipment, as well as animal feed. The Platform is intended for professional participants of the agricultural market – companies and farms – as well as for natural persons who sell Auction Items through the Platform-administered (commission) sales channel in accordance with Section 4.

1.2. Reservation of title. The Platform does not assume title to the Auction Items being auctioned, does not carry out their physical inspection and does not act as the authorised agent of the buyer or seller in the case of direct transactions (see 4.2.). FARMSTOCK does not become the owner of the Auction Item, but in specific cases – where the auction has been created or is administered by the Platform itself (LOTs and other Platform-administered sales) – it acts as a guarantor of a secure transaction, using the escrow (security deposit) mechanism in accordance with Section 6.

1.3. Liability of Users. In the case of direct transactions (4.2.), the transaction is concluded directly between the Registered Buyer and the Registered Seller, and the Platform does not assume joint and several liability for the performance of the parties' obligations. In the case of Platform-administered transactions (4.3.), the Platform acts as an intermediary of the transaction and a settlement guarantor to the extent provided for in the Terms.

1.4. Compliance with laws. The User undertakes to use the Platform solely for lawful purposes and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Depending on the type of Auction Item, this includes – where applicable – requirements in the fields of animal welfare, veterinary matters, food and animal feed circulation, machinery and equipment safety and conformity, as well as taxation.

2.1. User – any registered natural or legal person who uses the Platform.

2.2. Auction Item – any object offered for sale on the Platform by way of auction, including but not limited to:

• (a) live agricultural animals;
• (b) agricultural machinery (machines, tractors, aggregates and the like);
• (c) farm inventory, equipment and spare parts;
• (d) agricultural animal feed and fodder;
• (e) other agriculture-related items that the Platform permits to be sold.

The Terms apply equally to all types of Auction Items, except for those provisions that by their content apply only to a specific category (for example, animal welfare or veterinary standards apply only to live animals).

2.3. Seller – a User who offers Auction Items for sale.

2.4. Buyer – a User who places bids and/or purchases Auction Items.

2.5. Auction – the sales process of an Auction Item or group of items on the Platform.

2.6. Standard auction – an auction created by the Seller in which settlement for the Auction Item takes place directly between the parties (direct transaction).

2.7. LOT – a Platform-administered combined consignment in which the offers of several Sellers or of several Auction Items are combined and sold as a single auction with Escrow settlement.

2.8. Commission – the Platform's intermediation fee in accordance with the Price List.

2.9. Escrow (security deposit) – a Platform-administered transaction security account in which the funds paid by the Buyer are held until the transaction is completed.

2.10. Price List – the Platform's current schedule of fees, published in the Price List section. The Price List is an integral part of the Terms.

2.11. KYC – the User identity verification process (see Section 3).

3.1. Mandatory verification. In order to obtain bidding rights or selling rights, the User must undergo identity verification (KYC) using a qualified electronic identification means (Smart‑ID, eParaksts, etc.) or another method approved by the Platform. Detailed information about the verification process is available in the Authorisation and security section.

3.2. Legal representation. If the User registers on behalf of a legal person or farm, by verifying they confirm that they are entitled to represent it and to assume financial obligations on its behalf.

3.3. Private individuals. A natural person who registers in their own name confirms that they have legal capacity and are entitled to dispose of the Auction Items offered. The conditions for sales by private individuals are set out in Section 4.

3.4. Accuracy of data. The User warrants that the information provided during registration and in the profile is true, complete and current, and undertakes to update it without delay in the event of changes.

3.5. Account security. The User is fully responsible for the confidentiality of their account access credentials. Any action performed from a verified User account is deemed to be electronically signed and legally binding on the relevant User (or the company they represent). The User must inform the Operator without delay of any suspicion of unauthorised access.

3.6. Anti-money laundering. The Operator is entitled to carry out additional checks and to request additional information in order to comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) requirements, and to withhold or refuse a transaction if such requirements cannot be met.

4.1. Seller status. Upon registration, the Seller indicates whether they act as a company/farm (a legal person with a registration number) or as a private individual (a natural person).

4.2. Direct transaction (Standard auction). Companies and farms may create Standard auctions in which settlement for the Auction Item takes place directly between the Buyer and the Seller outside the Platform. The Platform charges only the Commission in accordance with the Price List and provides for the disclosure of contact details after payment of the Commission.

4.3. Platform-administered transaction (LOT / commission sale). Private individuals may sell Auction Items only through the Platform-administered channel (LOT / commission sale), in which:

• (a) the Buyer pays the full transaction amount to the Operator (SIA "Hunter"), not to the Seller directly;
• (b) the funds are held in an Escrow account (see Section 6);
• (c) the auction is approved by the Platform before publication;
• (d) the Seller receives payout only after mutual confirmation of handover (see 8.4.).

In such a transaction the Operator acts in the Seller's name and on the Seller's behalf as an intermediary and holder of funds (escrow), and not as a reseller or transaction owner. The Buyer receives the Operator's VAT invoice for the Commission and a settlement act for the price of the Auction Item, in which the seller is a natural person; VAT is applied only to the Commission.

4.4. Mandatory verification of private individuals. Before selling, a private individual is required to complete identity verification (eID) in accordance with 3.1.

4.5. Consumer rights. If, in a particular transaction, the Seller or Buyer is regarded as a consumer within the meaning of the laws and regulations, the relevant mandatory consumer protection provisions apply. The applicability of the right of withdrawal (distance contract) depends on the type of Auction Item:

• (a) live agricultural animals and rapidly perishable feed are regarded as rapidly perishable goods, and therefore the right of withdrawal does not apply to them (Article 16(d) of Directive 2011/83/EU and the relevant national provisions);
• (b) for agricultural machinery, farm inventory and other non-perishable Auction Items – if the Buyer is a consumer – the mandatory distance contract withdrawal rights may apply, subject to the exceptions established in the laws and regulations.

This exception does not derive from the public auction reservation (online auctions are not regarded as such). The specific conditions for each category of Auction Item are set out in the Buyer protection section.

5.1. Irrevocable offer. Each bid placed on the Platform is a legally binding, irrevocable offer to purchase on the conditions indicated at the moment the bid is placed.

5.2. Reserve price. In Standard auctions the Seller may set a hidden reserve price:

• (a) if, at the end of the auction, the reserve price is reached or exceeded, the transaction is concluded automatically with the highest bidder without further confirmation from the Seller;
• (b) if the reserve price is not reached, the Seller has the right, within 24 (twenty-four) hours after the end of the auction, to accept the highest bid, reject it, or make a counter-offer. If the Seller does not act within this period, the highest bid is deemed rejected.

5.3. Type of price. The auction price may be set per unit (per item), per unit of weight (for example, €/kg or €/t), or as a fixed price for the entire Auction Item / batch as a whole. If the Auction Item is live animals, the price may additionally be set per kilogram of live weight (€/kg) or per kilogram of carcass weight (€/kg). The applicable type of price and unit of measure are clearly indicated in the auction description, and the total transaction amount is calculated in accordance with this type of price and the number of units/weight/volume.

5.4. LOTs. LOT auctions are Platform-administered combined consignments. The price bid at the close of the auction is fixed and applied equally (jointly) to all Auction Items included in the particular LOT. Final settlement takes place in accordance with 6.4.

5.5. Anti-sniping provision. If a bid is placed in the final minutes of an auction, the end time of the auction may be automatically extended in order to ensure fair bidding. The extension procedure is set out in the auction description.

5.6. Auction end time. A change in the auction status after the end time may occur with a slight technical delay due to automated processing; this does not affect the validity of the transaction.

6.1. Commission. The amount of the Platform's Commission and the procedure for applying it are set out in the Price List. The Commission is calculated and indicated to the Buyer before the assumption of obligations. VAT is applied to the Commission in the manner established by laws and regulations.

6.2. Commission for Standard auctions. After the successful conclusion of a Standard auction, the Buyer must pay the Platform's intermediation invoice (the Commission) within 1 (one) business day. Settlement for the Auction Item itself takes place directly between the parties, and the Platform is not involved in this settlement. Contact information between the parties is disclosed after payment of the Commission.

6.3. Escrow for LOT / Platform-administered transactions. The Escrow security account operates in cases where the transaction is administered by FARMSTOCK (including LOTs). Within 1 (one) business day after winning, the Buyer must transfer 100% of the estimated transaction amount to the FARMSTOCK security (Escrow) account. The funds are deposited as security for the performance of obligations and are not paid out to the Seller until the conditions of 8.4. are met.

6.4. Final calculation. In LOT auctions, the final settlement amount is specified at the moment of loading/handover, based on the actual weight, number of units or volume:

• (a) if the actual amount is less than the deposited amount, the Platform immediately initiates a refund of the difference to the Buyer;
• (b) if the actual amount is greater than the deposited amount, the Buyer must pay the difference within 1 (one) business day; until the difference is paid, the handover of the Auction Item may be withheld.

6.5. Payout to the Seller. In a Platform-administered transaction, the payout to the Seller (the transaction amount less the withheld Commission) is made automatically after the mutual confirmation of handover in accordance with 8.4. The Platform does not retain a margin – only the Commission.

6.6. Payment processing and holding of funds. Payment processing is provided by the payment service provider Stripe. Funds credited to the security (Escrow) account are paid out to the Seller only in the cases provided for in the Terms.

6.7. Taxes. Each User is independently responsible for their own tax obligations in connection with transactions on the Platform. The invoices issued by the Platform reflect the Commission with applicable VAT; in Platform-administered transactions the Buyer additionally receives a settlement act for the price of the Auction Item.

7.1. Accuracy of data. The Seller assumes full legal and financial liability for ensuring that the data indicated in the auction description is true and relates to the particular Auction Item. This includes, for example, the type of item, technical parameters, condition, quantity, weight, origin and photos/videos, and in the case of animals also the species, breed, sex, age and health information.

7.2. Animal health and veterinary requirements (applicable only to live animals). If the Auction Item is live animals, the Seller warrants that at the moment of loading the animals are clinically healthy, fit for transport, and that they are not in an active medicine withdrawal (residue) period. The Seller warrants compliance with the veterinary and food circulation requirements in force.

7.3. Condition of machinery and inventory (applicable to machinery, inventory and equipment). If the Auction Item is agricultural machinery, inventory or equipment, the Seller warrants that the technical condition, working order, configuration and known defects indicated in the description are stated truthfully and completely. If a used item is sold, it is sold in the condition indicated in the description; any material defects must be indicated by the Seller.

7.4. Feed quality and safety (applicable to animal feed). If the Auction Item is animal feed, the Seller warrants that the feed complies with the applicable animal feed circulation, safety and labelling requirements, is correctly labelled, has not exceeded its expiry date and has been stored appropriately. The Seller assumes liability for the conformity of the feed's composition and origin with the description.

7.5. Weighing protocol. If the price of the Auction Item is set by weight, the actual weight is determined at the moment of handover/loading on verified scales. If verified scales are not available at the moment of handover, the parties agree to use the weight confirmed in the auction listing.

7.6. Non-conformities. If the actual condition of the Auction Item materially fails to conform to the auction description, the Buyer has the right to refuse to accept the relevant Auction Item and to raise a dispute in accordance with Section 11.

8.1. Collection deadline. The winner of the auction is obliged to arrange, at their own expense, the collection of the Auction Item no later than within 10 (ten) calendar days after the conclusion of the auction and the fulfilment of settlement obligations.

8.2. Compliance of transport. Transport of the Auction Item must be carried out in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations and ensuring the necessary traceability and accompanying documents. If the Auction Item is live animals, EU Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport additionally applies, and the necessary movement and traceability documents (including, where applicable, TRACES) must be ensured.

8.3. Passing of risk. Title and the risk of destruction, damage or loss of the Auction Item pass to the Buyer at the moment the Auction Item is loaded or transferred onto the vehicle of the Buyer (or their carrier). In the case of animals, this moment is when the animal has crossed the loading ramp of the vehicle. In a Platform-administered transaction, this moment of passing of risk does not alter the conditions for Escrow payout (8.4.).

8.4. Mutual confirmation of handover (Platform-administered transactions). In a Platform-administered transaction, the Escrow payout to the Seller takes place only after both the Buyer has confirmed receipt of the Auction Item and the Seller has confirmed handover. Until both confirmations, the funds remain in Escrow. In the event of a dispute, the payout is withheld until the dispute is resolved (Section 11).

8.5. Preparation of the Auction Item. The Seller is obliged to ensure, on the day of handover, that the Auction Item is fully prepared for handover and loading. If the Auction Item is live animals, they must be separated from the herd and prepared for transport.

8.6. Handover of accompanying documentation. The Seller assumes full liability for ensuring that, at the moment of handover/loading, all requested and legally required accompanying documents are handed over to the Buyer in their originals. Depending on the type of Auction Item, these include, for example:

• in the case of animals: animal passports and a completed Veterinarian's certificate;
• in the case of machinery and inventory: where applicable, title/registration documents, technical documentation and warranty documents, if any;
• in the case of feed: origin, quality and labelling documents in accordance with feed circulation requirements.

In the event of a lack of documents, the Buyer has the right to refuse to accept the Auction Item, and the resulting logistics losses are borne by the Seller.

9.1. Exclusivity obligation. From the moment the Seller has registered an Auction Item and actively commenced its auction on the FARMSTOCK platform, and throughout the entire duration of the relevant auction (until the moment the auction has fully concluded), the Seller is obliged to ensure the exclusivity of the offered transaction.

9.2. Prohibition of parallel listings. During an active auction, the Seller is strictly prohibited from simultaneously listing, advertising, offering for sale or disposing of the relevant Auction Item on any other platforms, classified ad portals, social media groups or other public or private sales channels outside the FARMSTOCK system. This prohibition does not restrict the Seller's right to advertise their active FARMSTOCK auction – the Seller is encouraged to share the direct link to the auction listed on the platform.

9.3. Purpose of the restriction. This restriction is introduced in order to ensure a fair and transparent course of the auction, to protect the legitimate interests of other Buyers and to prevent situations in which financial bids are placed on an Auction Item that has in parallel already been disposed of to third parties.

9.4. Sanctions for breach. If the Seller breaches the exclusivity provision and the Auction Item in the auction is sold or offered elsewhere during the auction, FARMSTOCK is entitled to:

• (a) terminate and annul the relevant auction;
• (b) suspend or block the Seller's account in accordance with 10.3.;
• (c) impose on the Seller a contractual penalty of EUR 100.

The contractual penalty is not deemed to be the sole legal remedy, and it does not restrict the right to claim compensation for actual losses.

10.1. Non-performance of the Buyer's obligations. If the Buyer fails to make settlement within the specified period (6.2. / 6.3.) or fails to collect the Auction Item within 10 days (8.1.), the Platform is entitled to cancel the transaction. The security deposit paid is deemed to be earnest money (deposit); if the Buyer does not perform the transaction, the other party is entitled to withdraw from the contract and retain the earnest money paid.

10.2. Seller's liability. If the Seller prevents the Buyer from collecting the Auction Item won at auction or fraud is established, the Seller must cover the Buyer's reasonable "empty run" logistics costs and other direct losses.

10.3. Account blocking. The Platform is entitled to suspend or block the account of a User and of persons associated with them in the event of gross breaches of the Terms, fraud or repeated non-performance of obligations. The User is informed of the blocking, stating the reason, except in cases where immediate action is necessary to protect other Users or the Platform. Blocking does not affect the User's already incurred payment obligations; sums of money owed to the User that are not in dispute are returned.

10.4. Proportionality of contractual penalties. The contractual penalties provided for in the Terms are set as reasonable compensation for losses and administrative costs and are not deemed to be disproportionate.

11.1. Disputes between Users. A transaction dispute (for example, regarding the conformity, weight/quantity or handover of the Auction Item) must be raised by the User on the Platform within 48 (forty-eight) hours after receipt of the Auction Item or the scheduled handover. In a Platform-administered transaction, the Escrow payout is withheld until the dispute is resolved.

11.2. Role of the Platform in a dispute. The Platform may act as an intermediary and, based on the evidence submitted by the parties, take a decision on the refund of Escrow funds to the Buyer or their payout to the Seller. The Platform's decision concerns only the Escrow funds and does not restrict the parties' rights to pursue the dispute further in accordance with Section 17.

11.3. Disputes with the Operator. Disputes between a User and the Operator are first to be resolved by way of negotiation, by addressing info@farmstock.eu in writing. If an agreement is not reached, the dispute is to be resolved in the manner set out in Section 17.

11.4. Out-of-court dispute resolution for consumers. A consumer may use out-of-court dispute resolution by turning to the Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC, www.ptac.gov.lv), and in cross-border disputes – to the European Consumer Centre (ECC-Net).

12.1. Limitation of the Platform's liability. The Platform provides the technical infrastructure "as is" and does not guarantee that the service will be uninterrupted or error-free. The Platform is not liable for the quality or conformity of the Auction Item, the performance of the parties' obligations in direct transactions, or for indirect losses (including lost profit).

12.2. Extent of liability. To the extent permitted by laws and regulations, the Operator's total liability for any claim arising from the use of the Platform does not exceed the Commission paid to the Operator in the relevant transaction.

12.3. Force majeure. Neither party is liable for non-performance of obligations caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond its control (force majeure), including natural disasters, epizootics, regulatory prohibitions, or power or communications failures.

13.1. The Operator processes personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Privacy Policy, which is an integral part of the Terms.

13.2. KYC and verification data are processed and stored to the extent and for the periods established by laws and regulations for the purpose of identity verification, fraud prevention and compliance with AML/CTF requirements.

13.3. Users' contact information is disclosed to the other party to the transaction only to the extent and at the moment necessary for the performance of the transaction (see 6.2.).

14.1. Platform content. All rights to the Platform, its software, design, trademarks and content belong to the Operator or its licensors. Their use is prohibited without the written permission of the Operator.

14.2. User content. By uploading content (including photos and videos of the Auction Item), the User warrants that they have the rights to this content and grants the Operator a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use this content for the purposes of operating the Platform and providing the auction.

15.1. User initiative. The User may at any time request the closure of their account, provided that they have no outstanding obligations or active transactions. Deletion of data takes place in accordance with the Privacy Policy, observing the data retention periods established by laws and regulations.

15.2. Survival of obligations. Closure or blocking of an account does not release the User from obligations that arose before closure.

16.1. The Operator is entitled to amend the Terms. Users are informed of material changes on the Platform and/or by email before the changes take effect.

16.2. The current version of the Terms with the date of entry into force is always available on the Platform. By continuing to use the Platform after the changes take effect, the User confirms their agreement to the amended Terms. To transactions already commenced, the version that was in force at the moment the transaction was commenced applies.

17.1. The laws of the Republic of Latvia apply to the Terms and to all transactions on the Platform.

17.2. Any dispute between the Operator and a User arising from these Terms or from transactions on the Platform that cannot be resolved by way of negotiation is finally settled by the Hanseatic International Arbitration Court (in Rīga) in accordance with its rules, by a single arbitrator; the language of the proceedings is Latvian; the applicable law is that of the Republic of Latvia.

17.3. Consumer protection (applicable law). The choice of Latvian law under clause 17.1. does not deprive the Consumer of the protection afforded by the mandatory provisions of the law of the country of their habitual residence (Article 6(2) of the "Rome I" Regulation).

17.4. Consumer protection (dispute resolution). The arbitration clause (17.2.) is not binding on the Consumer. The Consumer is entitled to bring an action before a court of general jurisdiction at their place of residence. An arbitration agreement with a Consumer may be concluded only in writing and only after the dispute has arisen.

18.1. Language versions. The Terms may be provided in several languages. In the event of any discrepancy, the Latvian-language version prevails.

18.2. Language version for the consumer. With respect to the Consumer, the language version of the Terms in which they were provided to them is binding; doubts are interpreted in favour of the Consumer.

18.3. Validity. If any provision of the Terms is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions remain in force.

18.4. Communication. All communication with the Operator takes place using info@farmstock.eu. Notifications to the User are sent to the email indicated in the profile or posted on the Platform.