Terms & Conditions

"BootHop", "we", "us" or "our" refers to BootHop Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales.

"Platform" means the BootHop website, mobile application, and all related services.

"Sender" (also referred to as Hooper on our platform) means a user who posts a delivery request — i.e. a person who wishes to have an item transported.

"Traveller" (also referred to as Booter on our platform) means a user who accepts a delivery request — i.e. a person who carries an item as part of an existing journey.

"Match" means a confirmed pairing between a Sender and a Traveller for a specific delivery.

"Escrow" means the secure holding of funds by Stripe on behalf of both parties, pending confirmation of delivery.

"KYC" means Know Your Customer identity verification, carried out via Stripe Identity.

"Goods" means any item or items posted for delivery on the Platform.

"Insurance" means the optional but default-selected cover charged at 7.5% of the declared goods value, as described in Section 8.

BootHop is a peer-to-peer logistics marketplace. We connect individuals who wish to send items internationally with individuals who are already travelling on compatible routes. BootHop is not a courier, freight forwarder, or transport company. We provide the matching technology, secure payment escrow, and identity verification infrastructure.

BootHop does not take physical possession of any goods at any time. All transportation is carried out by the Traveller in their personal capacity.

BootHop reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Platform at any time without prior notice.

• You must be at least 18 years of age to use BootHop.
• You must successfully complete KYC identity verification before any delivery details are shared.
• You must provide accurate, truthful information at all times. Providing false identity information is grounds for immediate permanent ban and may constitute fraud.
• You must have the legal right to send or carry the items you list on the Platform.
• Businesses may use BootHop but must not use the Platform in a way that misrepresents commercial shipments as personal items.

The following items are strictly prohibited on the BootHop platform under any circumstances:

• Cash, banknotes, coins, cryptocurrency wallets, or any monetary instruments
• Controlled substances, illegal drugs, narcotics, or any substance prohibited under local or international law
• Firearms, ammunition, weapons, explosives, or any component thereof
• Counterfeit, replica, or pirated goods — including fake branded items, unlicensed software, or forged documents
• Hazardous materials — flammable, corrosive, toxic, radioactive or explosive substances
• Human remains, biological specimens, or infectious material
• Live animals or endangered species (or their parts) protected under CITES
• Pornographic or obscene material
• Stolen goods or items of suspicious origin
• Items whose import is prohibited in the destination country (even if legal in the origin country)
• Cultural artefacts or items requiring export licences without proper documentation
• Items exceeding customs personal import allowances without prior declaration and duty payment
• Goods subject to trade sanctions or embargos between the origin and destination countries
• Prescription drugs (except in original packaging with valid prescription accompanying, and only for personal use)
• Alcohol exceeding duty-free allowances
• Tobacco products exceeding duty-free allowances
• Brand-name goods in quantities suggesting commercial intent rather than personal use

This list is not exhaustive. BootHop reserves the right to refuse any listing at its sole discretion. If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, contact us before posting.

Travellers who discover prohibited items in goods they have accepted have the right to refuse carriage without penalty and will receive a full escrow refund. They should report the incident immediately via the Platform.

As a Sender on BootHop, you accept full and sole responsibility for the following:

• You are solely responsible for ensuring all items comply with the laws and regulations of both the origin country AND the destination country.
• You must accurately and honestly describe every item you submit. Misrepresentation — whether deliberate or by omission — is a serious breach of these Terms and may result in permanent account termination and legal action.
• You are solely liable for all import duties, taxes, VAT, and any other fees imposed by customs authorities at the destination. BootHop and the Traveller are not responsible for any customs charges.
• You must ensure items are properly packed, labelled, and where required, accompanied by appropriate customs declarations and documentation (e.g. CN22, CN23 forms).
• You accept full responsibility if goods are seized, impounded, or destroyed by customs authorities due to non-compliance with regulations.
• You must not send items that exceed personal gift or import thresholds without ensuring duty has been pre-paid or that the recipient is prepared to pay on collection.
• If the destination country requires import licences, permits, health certificates or phytosanitary certificates for your item, you are responsible for obtaining and providing these.
• You must ensure that the Traveller is not unknowingly placed in legal jeopardy by carrying your items.

By posting a delivery request, you make a legally binding declaration that to the best of your knowledge the item(s) described are legal in both the origin and destination countries, are accurately described, and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

As a Traveller on BootHop, you accept the following responsibilities:

• You have the right — and the responsibility — to inspect any item before agreeing to carry it. Do not carry sealed packages unless you are satisfied with what is inside.
• You must honestly declare any items you are asked about at customs. You are not liable for contents you genuinely could not have known about, but willful blindness is not a defence.
• You must comply with all airline, transportation authority, and customs regulations applicable to your journey.
• You accept that you are acting as a private individual courier, not a commercial carrier, and must not misrepresent the nature of goods to customs officials.
• You should retain all BootHop documentation relating to your match in case of customs queries.
• You must not agree to carry items outside the BootHop platform or before completing the KYC and escrow payment process.

BootHop strongly recommends that all Travellers inspect and photograph items before accepting them and again before handing them over to the Sender's recipient.

The Sender is solely and exclusively responsible for all customs duties, import taxes, VAT, excise duties, and any other charges levied by customs authorities in the destination country (and in any transit country).

BootHop does not facilitate customs declarations on behalf of users. It is the Sender's responsibility to ensure that appropriate customs documentation is prepared and provided to the Traveller before handover.

Common customs thresholds users must be aware of (these are indicative and subject to change — always verify with official customs authorities):

The above table is provided for guidance only. BootHop accepts no liability for any inaccuracies. Always verify requirements with the official customs authority of the destination country.

BootHop offers an optional delivery protection cover for Senders. This cover is selected by default at checkout and is charged at 7.5% of the declared goods value.

By accepting the insurance at checkout, the Sender acknowledges:

• The insurance premium of 7.5% of the declared goods value is non-refundable once the delivery has been accepted by both parties.
• Coverage applies to loss or damage during transit, subject to the exclusions below.
• The maximum claimable amount is the declared goods value, up to £2,500 per delivery.
• Claims must be raised via the BootHop Platform within 48 hours of the confirmed delivery date.
• Photographic evidence of the item's condition at handover and receipt must be submitted with any claim.

Insurance exclusions — the following are NOT covered:

• Any item that is prohibited under these Terms (Section 4)
• Items whose declared value is materially understated
• Damage caused by improper or inadequate packaging by the Sender
• Loss or damage arising from customs seizure
• Items left unattended or lost due to the Traveller's gross negligence
• Electronic items (laptops, phones, cameras) unless declared and valued accurately
• Fragile items not marked as such and not packed appropriately
• Any items involved in criminal activity

Insurance is underwritten by BootHop's insurance partner. Full policy documents are available on request. BootHop acts as an introducer only and is not itself an insurer.

All payments between Senders and Travellers are processed via Stripe's secure escrow system. By using the Platform, you agree to Stripe's terms of service in addition to these Terms.

• The Sender pays the agreed delivery price plus insurance premium into escrow. These funds are held by Stripe — not by BootHop, not by the Traveller.
• Escrowed funds are released to the Traveller only when both the Sender and Traveller have confirmed successful delivery.
• If the Traveller confirms delivery but the Sender does not respond within 72 hours, funds are automatically released.
• In the event of a dispute, funds remain in escrow until resolution by BootHop's dispute team.
• BootHop charges a platform fee on each transaction. This fee is clearly disclosed before payment.
• Refunds are issued at BootHop's discretion in cases of failed delivery, match cancellation prior to KYC, or upheld disputes.
• BootHop does not handle funds directly and is not a regulated payment institution. Stripe processes all transactions.

BootHop serves a global, diverse community of Senders and Travellers from all backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. We expect every user to treat others with dignity, respect, and professionalism.

• All communication between Senders and Travellers must remain respectful, professional, and courteous at all times.
• Abusive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, or offensive language of any kind is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate account termination.
• Users must not solicit personal contact details (phone, social media, email) outside the BootHop platform prior to completing the full verification and escrow process.
• Users must not attempt to conduct transactions outside the BootHop platform to circumvent fees or protections.
• Fraud, misrepresentation, or deceptive communication is a criminal matter and will be reported to appropriate authorities.
• BootHop reserves the right to review communications on the platform in cases of reported abuse or disputes.
• Respect cultural, religious, and personal differences. BootHop serves a global community and zero tolerance is applied to any form of discrimination.

The following behaviours will result in immediate permanent account termination and may be reported to law enforcement:

• Racial, ethnic, religious, or gender-based abuse or discrimination of any kind
• Threats of violence, intimidation, or blackmail
• Sexual harassment or unwanted contact of a sexual nature
• Deliberate attempts to defraud, deceive, or manipulate other users
• Spamming, phishing, or sending unsolicited communications

Both parties in a Match must complete identity verification (KYC) before any contact details or delivery information are shared. KYC is powered by Stripe Identity.

• You must provide genuine, valid government-issued identity documents.
• Submitting forged, altered, or someone else's identity documents is fraud and will be reported to police.
• BootHop retains verification data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable law.
• KYC verification is required once per account and may be repeated if your documents expire or if we have reason to re-verify.
• Users who fail KYC are not permitted to proceed with deliveries and their account may be reviewed.

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

• BootHop is not liable for any loss, damage, delay, confiscation, or destruction of goods during transit.
• BootHop is not liable for any customs duties, taxes, fines, or penalties incurred in connection with any delivery.
• BootHop does not guarantee that any Match will be completed, that any delivery will arrive safely, or that items will not be detained by customs.
• BootHop's total liability to any user in respect of any single incident shall not exceed the platform fee paid in respect of that transaction.
• Nothing in these Terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for fraudulent misrepresentation.
• BootHop is not responsible for the acts or omissions of Senders or Travellers who are independent third parties.

Users engage with each other at their own risk. BootHop's role is to facilitate connections and provide security infrastructure — we are not a party to any delivery contract between Sender and Traveller.

In the event of a dispute between a Sender and a Traveller:

• Either party may raise a dispute via the Platform within 72 hours of the scheduled delivery date.
• Escrowed funds will be held pending resolution.
• BootHop's dispute team will review evidence submitted by both parties and make a final decision within 10 business days.
• BootHop's decision on disputes is final, subject to any statutory rights you may have.
• Where fraud is suspected, BootHop will cooperate with law enforcement and may withhold funds pending investigation.
• Users agree not to pursue legal action against BootHop before completing the dispute resolution process.

BootHop operates globally. Users are responsible for understanding and complying with all local laws. The following country-specific restrictions apply in addition to the general Terms:

This section is provided for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Users must independently verify all regulatory requirements. BootHop accepts no liability for errors or omissions in this country guidance.

• BootHop reserves the right to suspend or permanently terminate any account at any time, for any reason, including but not limited to breach of these Terms.
• Users may delete their account at any time. Deletion does not affect obligations arising from in-progress deliveries or pending disputes.
• Upon termination, all escrowed funds relating to active matches will be dealt with in accordance with our dispute resolution process.
• BootHop may retain certain data after termination as required by law or for fraud prevention purposes.

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, without prejudice to any mandatory consumer protection laws applicable in your country of residence.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

BootHop Ltd is registered in England and Wales. Registered address: [BootHop Ltd, England, UK].

For questions about these Terms, contact us at legal@boothop.com.