Terms and Conditions | Boutique China

Booking Terms & Conditions

Thank you for choosing Boutique China. These Terms & Conditions form the basis of your contract with Boutique Experience Group Pty Ltd ABN (77690688834), trading as Boutique China ("we", "us", "our"). Please read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations.

By asking us to confirm your booking and paying your deposit, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.

1. Our Agreement With You

Our Role as Your Agent We specialise in creating exceptional travel experiences in China. In doing so, we act as an agent on behalf of the airlines, hotels, local tour operators, transport providers, and other third-party suppliers (collectively "Suppliers") who provide the individual components of your trip. Our obligation to you is to make travel bookings on your behalf and to arrange contracts between you and Suppliers. We do not own, manage, or control these Suppliers. Your agreement for the provision of the travel services is with the relevant Supplier(s) and is subject to their terms and conditions.

2. Pricing, Deposits & Payments

2.1. Pricing. All prices are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD) and are inclusive of GST where applicable. Quotations are subject to availability and are not guaranteed until your booking is confirmed with a paid deposit. All quotations are valid for 7 days from the date of issue.

Prices are based on costs and exchange rates at the time of quotation. In rare circumstances, we reserve the right to surcharge the cost of your tour before final payment due to any unforeseen or unavoidable cost increases (e.g., significant currency fluctuations, new government taxes, or supplier price increases).

What's Not Included: Prices do not include international airfares (unless specified), visa fees, travel insurance, meals or activities not explicitly listed in the itinerary, personal expenses, or tips and gratuities.

2.2. Deposit. A deposit of 20% of total tour costs for your booking is required within 7 days of receiving your invoice to secure your booking. Receipt of your deposit signifies your acceptance of these Terms & Conditions and allows us to begin confirming arrangements with our Suppliers.

2.3. Final Payment. The final balance of your tour cost is due 90 days prior to your departure date. If your booking is made within 90 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.

Failure to pay by the due date may be treated as a cancellation, and cancellation fees will apply as set out in Section 3.

2.4. Payment Methods. We accept payment by direct bank transfer and credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). A non-refundable credit card surcharge of 1.5% will apply to all credit card payments.

3. Changes & Cancellations

3.1. Cancellation by You. Should you need to cancel your booking, you must notify us in writing. The cancellation will be effective from the date we receive your written notification.

Because we incur costs in cancelling your travel arrangements, the following cancellation fees will apply:

90 days or more prior to departure: Forfeiture of your deposit.
45 to 89 days prior to departure: 50% of the total tour cost.
Less than 45 days prior to departure: 100% of the total tour cost.

Please note these fees are in addition to any non-refundable fees charged by the ultimate Suppliers (such as airlines, hotels, or local operators), which may be up to 100% of their cost. We strongly recommend you take out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking to cover potential cancellation fees.

3.2. Cancellation or Changes by Us. We plan our tours arrangements many months in advance. Occasionally, we may have to make changes to or cancel a booking.

Itinerary Variations: We reserve the right to vary your itinerary after booking. We will use our best endeavours to provide arrangements of a similar standard, but will not be liable for any such minor changes. If we must make a significant change, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible.
Force Majeure: We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations that is due to any of the following causes to the extent beyond our reasonable control: acts of God, accident, riots, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic, quarantine, government intervention, or weather conditions ("Force Majeure"). In such events, our ability to provide refunds will be dependent on the policies of our Suppliers, and we will not be responsible for any additional costs incurred by you.

4. Your Obligations

You warrant to us that: (a) you are at least 18 years of age and have the legal authority to enter into a binding contract with us and the Suppliers; (b) you have the authority to act on behalf of all other persons named in the booking; (c) you have read and consent to these Terms & Conditions and our Privacy Policy; (d) all information you provide is true, correct, and complete; and (e) you are responsible for making all payments for the entire booking.

4.1. Passports & Visas. It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid passport with at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You are also responsible for obtaining all necessary visas or other travel documentation (e.g., Tibet entry permit) for your travel to China. We can provide general advice and support, but we are not responsible if you are denied entry to a country due to incorrect documentation. Any fines, penalties, or expenditures incurred as a result will be your sole responsibility.

4.2. Travel Insurance. Boutique China strongly recommends that you take out comprehensive international travel insurance for the full duration of your trip. This insurance should cover, at a minimum, medical expenses and emergency repatriation, personal liability, and cancellation or curtailment of your trip.

4.3. Health & Fitness. It is your responsibility to ensure you are fit to travel and participate in all aspects of the tour. We recommend you consult your doctor or a travel medical specialist regarding vaccinations and any health precautions required for travel to China. You must inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions, disabilities, or dietary requirements at the time of booking so we can pass this information to our Suppliers. We do not guarantee that Suppliers will be able to accommodate all special requirements.

4.4. Travel Advice.We strongly recommend you consult the Australian Government's travel advisories for China before and during your travel. Please refer to www.smartraveller.gov.au for the latest information. We are not responsible for, and make no representations as to, the safety, conditions, or other issues that may exist at any destination.

4.5. Conduct. You must comply with all laws and regulations of the places you visit. You must also comply with the reasonable instructions of our representatives and our Suppliers. If in our reasonable opinion your behaviour is causing or is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others, we may terminate your travel arrangements with immediate effect. In such an event, we will not be liable for any refund, compensation, or any costs and expenses incurred by you.

5. Responsibility & Limitation of Liability

Certain provisions of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) provide consumers with guarantees that cannot be excluded, restricted, or modified. Our services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the ACL. To the extent permitted by law, our liability for breach of any consumer guarantee is limited to: (a) the supply of the services again; or (b) the payment of the cost of having the services supplied again.

Subject to the ACL, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, we exclude all liability for any loss, death, injury, or damage which may arise directly or indirectly from your trip or from any service provided. We are not liable for the acts, omissions, or default of our Suppliers.

We will not be liable for any consequential or indirect loss. Our aggregate liability to you is limited to the total amount paid by you for the booking.

6. Indemnity

You acknowledge that there are inherent risks involved in participating in the tour, including close contact with native fauna and exposure to the harshness of the wilderness. By making a booking, you accept all risks associated with the tour and agree to indemnify us and our officers, employees, and agents from and against any loss, damage, liability, claim, or expense (including legal costs) that we may incur arising from your breach of these Terms & Conditions or any unlawful or negligent act or omission by you or any person in your travelling party.

7. General Provisions

7.1. Privacy Policy. We are committed to protecting your personal information. We will collect, use, and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which is available on our website. You consent to us providing your information to our Suppliers for the purpose of making your travel arrangements.

7.2. Photographs & Marketing. You consent to us using images and videos taken during your trip for our advertising and promotional purposes in any medium we choose. You grant us a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable licence to use such images for publicity and promotional purposes.

7.3. Complaints. Should you have a complaint during your tour, please inform your local guide or our in-country representative immediately so that they can try to resolve the issue on the spot. If the matter is not resolved, please contact us in writing within 28 days of your return to Australia.

7.4. Governing Law. This agreement is governed by the laws of the state of Victoria, Australia, and each party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that state.