Skip to main content
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies.

Please note: Your browser does not support the features used on Addgene's website. You may not be able to create an account or request plasmids through this website until you upgrade your browser. Learn more

Please note: Your browser does not fully support some of the features used on Addgene's website. If you run into any problems registering, depositing, or ordering please contact us at [email protected]. Learn more

Addgene Terms of Purchase


Last Updated: January 24, 2023

Addgene's Terms of Purchase state the terms and conditions upon which you may use this website to order materials as further described throughout the Addgene website.

PLEASE READ THESE STANDARD TERMS OF PURCHASE CAREFULLY. YOU MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THESE TERMS OF PURCHASE BY CLICKING ON THE "ACCEPT" BUTTON BELOW.

Ordering of Materials: Before we can ship your order, your institution may be required to sign a material transfer agreement (MTA). The MTA is between your institution and the material-providing institution(s). Addgene facilitates the distribution of material on our providing institutions’ behalf. Due to the unique nature of the MTA system, materials cannot later be added nor can orders be combined once an order is placed on our website.

Transparency & Privacy Policy: Addgene values your trust and understands the concerns you may have regarding your information. Addgene’s Transparency & Privacy Policy is meant to give you a clear and concise understanding of our information collection and privacy protection processes. Please see our Transparency & Privacy Policy.

Security: We take the security of your information very seriously. Our website protects your information during transfer using encryption technologies such as Transport Level Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). For security purposes, Addgene does not process nor store your credit card information. It never touches our servers and so is never seen by us. Instead, we use a payment gateway service called USAePay, a Level-1 PCI compliant company. Visit USAePay’s page for more information about service and security.

Scope of Use: Your use of materials and data provided by us is governed by the applicable MTA(s), label licenses, ancillary agreements, clickthrough terms and licenses, and all other applicable statutes and regulations that may apply to you and your institution.

Proprietary Rights: Except as expressly set forth in these Standard Terms of Purchase, the applicable MTA(s) or licenses, no other assets or rights of Addgene, Addgene’s contributors and depositing institutions are being sold, granted, licensed, or conveyed to you.

Payment: Payments may be made by purchase order or credit card. Addgene shall invoice you upon shipment, unless we have made other arrangements with you or your institution. All payments are due within thirty (30) days of the invoice date, which is the same date the package leaves our facilities. Any payments not made within such thirty (30) day period are subject to an interest charge of one percent (1%) per month or the maximum rate allowed by applicable law, whichever is less. You are responsible for all taxes, duties, tariffs and permit fees assessed in connection with your purchase of materials. You will, upon demand, pay to Addgene an amount equal to any such tax(es), duties, tariffs and permit fees actually paid or required to be collected or paid by Addgene on your behalf. Addgene shall have no obligation hereunder to accept your order unless you have satisfied the requirements of Addgene's applicable credit approval process and have satisfied any additional credit requirements imposed by Addgene, which may include providing Addgene with a deposit, letter of credit, or payment in advance, as requested. Failure to pay for an order may result in a suspension of your account and your institution’s request privileges.

Shipping: Addgene will package your materials for shipping in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. While Addgene may work with your institution through the permitting process, you are ultimately solely responsible for obtaining all permits necessary to receive the materials. Addgene may, from time to time, require proof from you that the applicable permits have been obtained. Addgene will notify you when orders are submitted without the necessary permits, and you will have a one (1) month period after such notification to supply proof of the necessary permit(s) before an order will be canceled. A processing fee may be charged if special processing or packaging is necessary. All packages are shipped "(Incoterms 2020) CPT Addgene, Watertown, Massachusetts USA" unless otherwise agreed to in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a package is lost or damaged during shipment, Addgene may, at its sole discretion, replace some or all of the order at no additional charge, provided that you have reported lost or damaged shipments to the applicable carrier and notified Addgene's Customer Service Team within seven (7) days of the invoice date.

No Returns: Due to our materials’ perishable nature and other regulatory factors, Addgene cannot accept returns. If you experience any problems with your order, please contact [email protected] within thirty (30) days of receiving your package.

Cancellations: You may cancel your order within twenty-four (24) hours after submitting it on our website. To learn how to cancel your order, please visit this page.

Refund Policy: All materials on Addgene’s website are understood to be experimental in nature and may have hazardous properties. You are responsible for the contents of your cart at the time of checkout. Unless you notify us within twenty-four (24) hours of placing your order that you would like to remove an item or cancel your order or that you experienced a technical error during the checkout process, Addgene is under no obligation to refund any portion of your purchase. In the event that you receive a wrongfully delivered package, Addgene shall, in its sole discretion, either replace the wrongfully delivered materials or refund the processing fee (exclusive of shipping and handling) paid by you for such materials, provided that such matters are brought to Addgene's attention in writing within thirty (30) days of your receipt of the package.

Links: This website may contain links to websites operated by other parties. The linked sites are not under the control of Addgene, and Addgene is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of the other websites. Unless otherwise specified, hyperlinking does not imply any relationship, sponsorship, endorsement or affiliation with such website or organization by Addgene. Links are provided to other websites as a convenience to users. Accessing any other websites linked to this website is done at your own risk.

Modifications: We may modify these Terms of Purchase at any time by posting the modified version here and revising the "last updated" notice at the top of this page. Modifications to these Standard Terms of Purchase will be effective immediately upon posting and shall govern all orders made thereafter.

Conflicts: In the event of a conflict between these Terms of Purchase and the applicable MTA(s), label licenses, ancillary agreements, clickthrough terms or other licenses, that govern your use of the Materials, the applicable terms of use shall prevail. If you have any questions about our Terms of Purchase, please contact Addgene at [email protected].