Supply Policy – The Straw Bag Company

At The Straw Bag Company, we are committed to maintaining a reliable, ethical, and efficient supply chain for our handmade straw and water hyacinth bags. Our supply policy outlines the sourcing, production, quality control, and delivery processes that ensure our products meet high standards while supporting sustainability and fair trade practices.

This Supply Policy is part of our Terms and Conditions and must be accepted before placing any order. By purchasing from us, including standard and bespoke straw bags, customers acknowledge and agree to all terms outlined in this policy and our full Terms and Conditions.

1. Sourcing of Materials

  • We source natural straw and water hyacinth from local farmers and communities in Thailand, ensuring ethical and sustainable harvesting practices that do not harm the environment.

  • All materials used in our bags are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and free from synthetic chemicals to promote sustainable fashion.

  • We partner with responsible suppliers who adhere to environmental and fair-trade standards, ensuring that every material used is of the highest quality.

  • Each batch of raw materials undergoes preliminary inspection before production to ensure consistency and suitability for bag crafting.

2. Ethical Production & Artisan Partnerships

  • Our products are handcrafted by skilled Thai artisans using traditional weaving techniques, preserving cultural heritage and craftsmanship.

  • We ensure that all artisans receive fair wages, safe working conditions, and reasonable work hours, aligning with international ethical trade principles.

  • The Straw Bag Company does not engage in child labour, forced labour, or exploitative working practices.

  • Regular audits and quality checks are conducted to maintain ethical compliance across all production stages.

  • Our products are vegan, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free. We only use naturally sourced ethical water hyacinth and seagrass from the riverbanks in Phayao, Thailand.

3. Quality Control & Inspection

  • Every bag undergoes a strict multi-step quality control inspection before it is shipped to customers.

  • Our quality control process includes:

    • Material Inspection: Ensuring the natural fibers are clean, strong, and free from defects.
    • Weave Consistency Check: Examining the tightness, uniformity, and integrity of the weave.
    • Durability Testing: Assessing the strength of handles, stitching, and fastenings.
    • Finishing Inspection: Reviewing the final aesthetics, trimming excess fibers, and ensuring all embellishments are secure.
    • Packaging Check: Verifying that each item is properly packed to prevent damage during transit.

  • Any item that does not meet our quality standards is either reworked, repurposed, or rejected before shipping.

4. Order Processing & Lead Times

  • Standard Orders: Processing takes 2 to 5 working days before dispatch.

  • Shipping Times: Please see section 5 for all estimated straw bag delivery times using the EMS courier service from our hub in Thailand. Note that these estimated delivery times for EMS must be added to our processing times.

  • Bespoke & Custom Orders: Handmade production requires 14 working days to complete, as all bags are made to order by hand. This timeframe covers the intricate weaving process, quality checks, and final finishing. Additional time may be required for highly detailed designs or large custom orders.

  • Customers will receive an order confirmation email with the estimated production and shipping timelines, including tracking details once dispatched.

  • For urgent or bulk orders, customers can contact us via email to discuss feasibility and expected timelines.

5. Shipping & Delivery

  • All orders are shipped via EMS Express, a trusted international courier service with tracking numbers provided for every shipment.

  • Estimated delivery times:

    • UK & Europe: 5–7 working days
    • USA & Canada: 5–8 working days
    • Australia & Asia-Pacific: 7–10 working days
    • Rest of the World: 10–15 working days

  • The Straw Bag Company is not responsible for customs delays or postal service disruptions.

  • Customers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, or customs fees imposed by their country. Failure to pay these fees may result in the parcel being returned or destroyed by customs, in which case no refund will be issued.

6. Returns & Supply Adjustments

  • Returns are only accepted under the conditions outlined in our Refund Policy.

  • Customers must report any defects within 2 working days of receiving the order, along with clear photographic evidence.

  • Bespoke and custom orders are final sale and cannot be returned, exchanged, or refunded unless a verified manufacturing defect is identified.

  • Any returned item must be sent to our UK business address, not our Thai production hub. Return address details will be provided upon approval of a return request.

  • Customers are responsible for return shipping costs unless the return is due to a verified fault on our part.

7. Supply Chain Disruptions & Force Majeure

  • In case of natural disasters, political instability, global shipping disruptions, or material shortages, we will notify affected customers immediately.

  • Orders impacted by supply chain disruptions may experience extended processing or shipping times.

  • While we strive to fulfil every order promptly, The Straw Bag Company is not liable for delays caused by factors beyond our control.

  • If an order is significantly delayed due to force majeure, customers acknowledge that no cancellations or refunds will be issued, as these delays are beyond our control.

7. Supply Chain Disruptions & Force Majeure

  • In case of natural disasters, political instability, global shipping disruptions, or material shortages, we will notify affected customers immediately.

  • Orders impacted by supply chain disruptions may experience extended processing or shipping times.

  • While we strive to fulfil every order promptly, The Straw Bag Company is not liable for delays caused by factors beyond our control.

If an order is significantly delayed due to force majeure, customers acknowledge that no cancellations or refunds will be issued, as these delays are beyond our control.

8. Right to Modify Supply Policy

  • We reserve the right to update or modify our supply policy at any time to reflect changes in logistics, sustainability practices, or business operations.

  • The latest version of our supply policy will always be available on our website.

  • Any significant changes to the supply policy will be communicated to customers who have pending orders that may be affected by the modifications.

9. Agreement to Terms

  • By purchasing from The Straw Bag Company, customers acknowledge and accept the terms outlined in this supply policy.

  • Customers must agree to these terms before completing any order, including standard and bespoke purchases.

  • Failure to comply with supply policy terms may result in order cancellations, additional processing fees, or restrictions on future purchases.

10. Contact Information

This policy ensures transparency, ethical sourcing, and quality assurance in our supply chain. If you have any questions or require further details, please contact us via email.