Privacy policy

1. Who we are

ELK Cargo operates elkcargo.autos, a platform for exporting new and used vehicles from China to Ghana, with teams in Guangzhou and Accra. This policy explains what personal data we collect through the site, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the rights you have over it. It is written to meet Ghana's Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843).

2. What we collect, and when

You can browse the entire car portfolio, use the Car Finder and run the duty calculator without giving us any personal information. We only collect personal data when you choose to contact us or use a service.

When you request a car or make an enquiry, we collect your name, phone number and what you told us you are looking for (make, model, year range, budget and any notes).

When you request an independent inspection, we collect your name, email address, phone number, and a payment reference from our payment processor. We never see or store your card details.

When you have a vehicle shipped through us, we collect your name, phone number, email address, and the shipment details needed to track it (vessel, bill of lading number, dates).

When you register as a dealer, we collect your name, company name, phone number, WhatsApp number and email address so we can verify you and publish your listings.

When you use the chat assistant on the site, the messages you type are sent to our AI provider to generate a reply. Please do not type card numbers, passwords or ID numbers into the chat.

3. Cookies and analytics

We store a small amount of information in your browser to remember your language, display currency, light or dark theme, saved favourites, and whether you have dismissed a notice. This stays on your device and is never sent to us.

If you sign in as a dealer or administrator, a session cookie keeps you signed in. It is strictly necessary for the site to work.

We use Vercel Analytics to count page views and see which pages are popular. It does not use cookies, does not follow you across other websites, and does not collect information that identifies you personally.

We use the Meta (Facebook) Pixel to measure whether our adverts are working. It sets cookies and tells Meta which pages you viewed on this site, which cars you looked at, and when you started a WhatsApp enquiry or paid for an inspection. Meta may match this with a Facebook or Instagram account and use it to show you our adverts. We do not send Meta your name, phone number or email address. The pixel does not run in the dealer or administrator areas.

You can opt out through your Facebook ad settings, your device's ad-tracking controls, or by using your browser's tracking protection or an ad blocker. Refusing it does not affect your ability to use this site.

4. Why we use your data

We use the information above only to respond to your enquiry, quote and arrange a vehicle, carry out and deliver an inspection you paid for, keep you updated on a shipment, verify and manage dealer accounts, and meet our legal and accounting obligations. We do not sell your personal data, and we do not share it with third parties for their own marketing.

5. Who we share it with

We share personal data only with the service providers we need to run the platform: Supabase (database and file hosting), Vercel (website hosting and analytics), Paystack (payment processing for inspections), Anthropic (the AI assistant that powers the on-site chat), and Meta (advertising measurement, as described in section 3). Each processes data on our instructions, except Meta, which also uses pixel data for its own advertising purposes under its own terms.

Where you contact us on WhatsApp, that conversation is handled by WhatsApp under its own privacy terms.

We share what is necessary with our shipping agents, inspectors and customs brokers to move and clear your vehicle, and with authorities such as Ghana Customs where the law requires it.

6. Where your data is stored

Our database, file storage and hosting providers operate servers outside Ghana, so your data is transferred and stored internationally. We only use established providers that offer recognised data-protection safeguards.

7. How long we keep it

We keep enquiry and lead information for up to two years from your last contact with us. Records tied to a completed transaction — inspections and shipments — are kept for at least six years to meet accounting and tax obligations. Dealer account records are kept while the account is active and for two years afterwards. You can ask us to delete your data sooner where we are not required to keep it.

8. Your rights

Under Act 843 you have the right to ask what personal data we hold about you, to have it corrected if it is wrong, to ask us to delete it, and to object to how we are using it. You can also ask us to stop contacting you at any time.

To make a request, message us on WhatsApp or use the contact page. We will respond within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may complain to the Data Protection Commission of Ghana.

9. Security

The site is served over HTTPS, dealer and administrator areas require sign-in, and access to customer records is limited to staff who need it. Payments are handled entirely by our payment processor, so card details never reach our systems. No system is completely secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information.

10. Children

This site is intended for adults buying or selling vehicles. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has given us personal data, contact us and we will delete it.

11. Changes to this policy

If we change what we collect or add a new provider — for example an advertising pixel — we will update this page and change the date at the top. Please check back from time to time.