FisheezFisheez

Terms of Service

§5 Fees, Taxes, Payment

Last updated January 8, 2026

5.1 Overview of Fees and Deductions

All transactions on the Fisheez Platform are executed through Smart Shell Escrow contracts, which automatically calculate and distribute fees, taxes, and other deductions.

Fisheez PBC operates on a transparent, rules-based fee model applied consistently to each transaction based on listing type, Shorefront NFT level, and any active promotions or programs.

All fees are deducted automatically within the escrow at the time of settlement.

Fisheez PBC does not manually collect, hold, or transmit user funds.

5.2 Platform and Listing Fees

Fees may vary depending on the type of product or service listed, the Seller’s Shorefront NFT level, and any special discount or loyalty program in effect.

The applicable percentage or flat rate will be displayed or calculable before the user confirms a listing or purchase.

Fisheez PBC reserves the right to modify fee structures periodically, provided that such changes are disclosed through the Platform interface or a published Terms update.

5.3 Promoter Commissions

If a sale involves an approved Promoter, the Smart Shell Escrow automatically allocates the agreed-upon commission at the time of payout.

All Promoter earnings are transferred directly from the escrow contract to the wallet address designated by the Promoter.

Fisheez PBC does not intermediate or guarantee Promoter arrangements beyond the encoded logic of the contract.

5.4 Fee Responsibility

Unless otherwise stated:

  • Buyers are responsible for paying all applicable service and transaction fees as part of their purchase total.
  • Sellers receive the net amount remaining after all automatic deductions—such as platform fees, taxes, and any Promoter commissions—are processed by the Smart Shell Escrow.

The full fee breakdown is displayed in the transaction summary before confirmation.

5.5 Taxes and Regulatory Compliance

All applicable taxes—including federal, state, and local sales or use taxes—are calculated at checkout for disclosure purposes and included in the total amount locked into the Smart Shell Escrow contract.

Fisheez does not collect or remit taxes at the time of checkout, and does not hold tax funds off-chain at any point during an active escrow.

For Buyer–Seller transactions:

  • The entire order total (item price, fees, and estimated taxes) remains inside Smart Shell Escrow until the transaction reaches a final resolution.
  • If the transaction resolves backward (refund to Buyer), the full amount—including the tax portion—is returned to the Buyer.
  • If the transaction resolves forward (payment to Seller), Smart Shell automatically routes the designated tax portion to Fisheez-operated tax remittance wallets during the on-chain settlement process.
  • Only upon forward settlement is any tax considered “collected” for remittance purposes.

For platform-operated payments (e.g., subscriptions, advertising services, and certain NFT purchases paid through a traditional payment processor), applicable taxes may be charged and collected at the time of purchase, consistent with the laws of the user’s jurisdiction.

Users remain responsible for:

  • reporting and paying any additional taxes required under applicable law; and
  • providing accurate tax-related information when required for reporting or payouts.

Fisheez PBC may store limited tax identification data solely for compliance and reporting requirements.

5.6 Charitable Allocations

Some transactions may include a small percentage automatically allocated to the Fishlanthropy Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting verified charitable projects.

These allocations are built into the relevant Smart Shell contracts and are non-refundable once executed.

5.7 Refunds and Reversals

All Smart Shell Escrow transactions are final and non-reversible, except when a case is resolved through the Dispute Resolution (Peacemaker) process (§7).

Fisheez PBC does not perform manual refunds or chargebacks.

Users must verify all details before confirming any purchase.

5.8 Payment Authorization and Processing

By initiating a transaction on the Platform, users authorize the Smart Shell Escrow to:

  • temporarily lock transaction funds;
  • calculate and deduct fees, taxes, and allocations; and
  • distribute proceeds automatically to the appropriate recipients (Seller, Promoter, Fisheez PBC fee wallet, and charity fund if applicable).

All actions occur on-chain and are executed without manual intervention.

5.9 Price Display and Currency

Prices are displayed in U.S. Dollars (USD) for convenience, while all blockchain transactions settle in USD Coin (USDC) or another approved, fiat-backed stablecoin.

Fisheez PBC may expand to support other compliant payment assets in the future.

5.10 Chargebacks and Fraudulent Transactions

Because Smart Shell Escrow transactions are blockchain-based, traditional chargeback mechanisms do not apply.

Any user found to be engaging in fraudulent payments, false disputes, or attempts to manipulate contract logic may have their account immediately suspended or terminated under §9.3.

Fisheez PBC cooperates with appropriate authorities and partners in investigating and addressing fraudulent activity.

5.11 Shipping and Delivery

Sellers are responsible for arranging and paying for all shipping, delivery, or freight services directly with their chosen carrier.

Fisheez PBC does not handle or transmit any shipping payments, carrier fees, or postage on behalf of users.

The Platform may provide optional integrations or tools for connecting external shipping accounts (e.g., FedEx, UPS, USPS, or other carriers), but such relationships are established directly between the Seller and the carrier.

Sellers must ensure that tracking information is accurately uploaded to the Platform to support order confirmation and escrow release.

Fisheez PBC is not responsible for carrier delays, lost packages, or disputes arising from shipping arrangements made outside of the Platform.

5.12 Customs, Tariffs, and Import Duties

Certain items sold on the Platform may be manufactured or shipped from outside the United States.

When an order involves international shipping or importation into the U.S., the responsible party—either the Seller or Buyer, depending on the shipping arrangement—must pay all applicable tariffs, customs duties, brokerage fees, and import taxes required by U.S. law.

The Seller must clearly disclose in each listing whether such charges are included in the price or billed separately to the Buyer.

Fisheez PBC and its affiliates do not calculate, collect, or remit customs duties or import tariffs and are not responsible for delays, holds, or charges imposed by customs authorities.

5.13 Promotional Placement Fees

Fees paid for promotional placements, advertising services, or visibility enhancements (including features such as Hot Deals) are platform-operated payments and are not processed through Smart Shell Escrow unless explicitly stated.

Such fees:

  • are charged at the time of purchase;

  • may vary by feature, duration, or promotional period; and

  • are governed by the applicable platform policy for that feature.

Promotional placement fees are independent of Buyer–Seller transactions and do not affect escrow settlement for any underlying listing or live event.

5.14 Offers & Pre-Checkout Messaging

Buyers may submit non-binding offers and messages to sellers before checkout. Sellers are not required to respond, and no transaction occurs unless the seller accepts and the buyer completes payment through a Fisheez checkout link.

Questions about this document? Email support@fisheez.com.