COOKIE POLICY

BLV Exports Limited
Website: www.blvexports.co.uk

Last updated: 24 August 2026
Effective date: 1 September 2026
Policy version: 1.0

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, mobile phone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They allow the website to:

• Recognise your device on future visits
• Remember your preferences and settings
• Track how you use the site (analytics)
• Deliver targeted content or advertising

We also use similar tracking technologies, including:

• Pixels (1x1 transparent images that track actions)
• Web beacons (similar to pixels, embedded in emails or web pages)
• Local storage (JavaScript storage in your browser)
• Tags (code snippets that track events)

In this policy, "cookies" refers to all of these technologies.

2. Why We Use Cookies

2.1 To Make Our Website Work

Some cookies are strictly necessary for our website to function securely and correctly. These include:

• Session management (keeping you logged in during your visit)
• Security tokens (protecting against cross-site request forgery)
• Load balancing (distributing traffic across our servers)
• Form data (remembering your inputs as you move through multi-step processes)

2.2 To Improve Our Website

We use performance and analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our site, which pages are most popular, where visitors drop off, and how we can improve the user experience.

2.3 To Remember Your Preferences

Functionality cookies remember your choices, such as:

• Language preference (English, other languages if available)
• Region or country setting
• Cookie consent choices
• Accessibility settings (text size, colour contrast)

2.4 To Show Relevant Content

Marketing and targeting cookies help us:

• Show you relevant content and offers based on your interests
• Measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
• Avoid showing you the same ad too many times
• Retarget you on other websites if you've visited ours

3. Categories of Cookies and Consent

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Consent required? NO – These are exempt from the requirement to obtain your prior consent under PECR and UK GDPR.

These cookies are essential for:

• Website security and fraud prevention
• Authentication and session management
• Enforcing your privacy preferences

Cannot be disabled without breaking core site functionality.

3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

Consent required? YES – These are non-essential and require your opt-in consent before deployment.

Purpose: To measure website performance, understand user behaviour, and improve the site.

Examples:

• Which pages visitors view most often
• How long visitors stay on a page
• Bounce rate (visitors leaving without interaction)
• Referral source (how visitors arrived at our site)
• Device type and browser used
• Geographic location (city/country level)

Data protection note: We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) with IP anonymisation enabled. Google will not store your full IP address; the last octet is removed.

Important: Google processes analytics data on our behalf as a Data Processor under a Data Processing Agreement. Google may use aggregated, anonymised data for Google's own services (e.g., Google Ads, Google Analytics insights).

3.3 Functionality and Preference Cookies

Consent required? YES – These are non-essential and require your opt-in consent.

Purpose: To remember your choices and personalise your experience.

Examples:

• Language or regional preferences
• Accessibility settings (text size, colour contrast)
• Saved searches or filters
• Product comparison lists
• Newsletter subscription status

3.4 Marketing and Targeting Cookies

Consent required? YES – These are non-essential and require your opt-in consent.

Purpose: To build a profile of your interests and show you targeted ads or content.

Examples:

• Tracking which pages you view (e.g., "basmati rice grades", "logistics options")
• Remembering if you've added items to a wishlist or cart
• Showing you relevant ads when you visit other websites
• Measuring conversion (did you buy after seeing our ad?)
• A/B testing (testing different versions of our website or ads)

Data sharing: Some marketing cookies are set by third-party ad networks and social media platforms (e.g., Google Ads, LinkedIn, Facebook). These parties may use your data for their own marketing purposes on other websites.

Important: If you disable marketing cookies, you will still see ads, but they will be less relevant to your interests.

4. How We Obtain Your Consent for Non-Essential Cookies

4.1 Cookie Banner (First Visit)

When you first visit www.blvexports.co.uk, a cookie banner will appear asking for your consent.

The banner contains:

• Clear explanation of what cookies are and why we use them
• Links to this Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy
• Three options (equal prominence):
  • "Accept All" – Accept all non-essential cookies
  • "Reject All" – Reject all non-essential cookies (only strictly necessary cookies will be used)
  • "Manage Settings" – Choose which cookie categories to accept

4.2 "Manage Settings" Panel

If you click "Manage Settings", you'll see detailed toggles:

Strictly Necessary
⊗ (ON – cannot be disabled)
These are essential for the website to work.

Performance & Analytics
☐ (OFF by default)
Helps us improve our website by understanding how you use it. Uses Google Analytics.
Learn more → Privacy Policy

Functionality & Preferences
☐ (OFF by default)
Remembers your choices (language, region, accessibility settings).
Learn more → Privacy Policy

Marketing & Targeting
☐ (OFF by default)
Shows you relevant ads and content based on your interests. Third parties (Google, Meta) may also use this data for their own marketing.
Learn more → Privacy Policy
No, I prefer not to see targeted ads on other sites.

Each toggle has:

• Clear label and description
• Link to more information in this policy
• Your choice is saved to the cookie_consent cookie

4.3 Important: NO Pre-Ticked Boxes

• All non-essential cookie categories default to OFF
• You must actively opt in to accept them
• There is no "by continuing you agree" mechanism
• Merely closing the banner or navigating does not imply consent

4.4 Your Consent is Recorded

When you select your preferences, we save your choice in the cookie_consent cookie and our backend logs. We keep a record of:

• Date and time of consent
• Your choices (which categories you accepted)
• Your IP address (for security purposes)
• Your browser and device type

This record helps us demonstrate compliance with GDPR/PECR if required.

5. Changing Your Cookie Preferences

You can change or withdraw your cookie preferences at any time.

5.1 Using Our Website

• Persistent footer link: Look for "Cookie Settings" or "Manage Cookies" link in the footer of every page on our website
• Click it: Opens the "Manage Settings" panel (same as described above)
• Update your choices: Toggle categories on/off as desired
• Save: Changes take effect immediately

5.2 Using Your Browser

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies. You can:

• See which cookies are stored and delete them
• Block all cookies or only third-party cookies
• Set cookie rules by website
• Clear cookies automatically when you close your browser

Note: Blocking ALL cookies may break website functionality (login, forms, preferences).

For guidance on your browser:

• Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
• Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer
• Safari: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/safari/sfri11471
• Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge
• General: https://www.allaboutcookies.org

5.3 Opting Out of Third-Party Tracking

You can opt out of tracking by third-party ad networks:

Google Ads & Analytics:
Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

Meta (Facebook) Ads:
Visit Meta's Ads Preferences

LinkedIn Ads:
Visit LinkedIn's Ads Preferences

Digital Advertising Alliance (Network Opt-Out):
Visit YourAdChoices (opt out from multiple networks)

6. Third-Party Cookies Explained

Some cookies on our website are set by third parties – companies other than BLV Exports. These parties use cookies to:

• Deliver their services to us (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Track you across the web for their own purposes (e.g., Facebook ads)
• Build profiles of your interests

Key third parties:

6.1 Google LLC

Services: Google Analytics 4, Google Ads conversion tracking
Cookies: _ga, _ga_*, _gid, _gcl_au
Purpose: Measure website traffic, user behaviour, ad performance
Data: Anonymised (IP anonymisation enabled), aggregated
Retention: 2 years (GA4 default)
Your control: Opt out via Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on or Google Ads Settings
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Data processing: Google is a Data Processor under GDPR; Google Analytics data is processed in the EU and US

Data transfer note: Google may transfer analytics data outside the EU to the USA under Google's Data Processing Addendum (DPA), which incorporates Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) for GDPR compliance. You can opt out of personalised tracking in Google Analytics Settings.

6.2 Meta Platforms, Inc. (Facebook)

Services: Facebook Pixel (conversion tracking, audience building)
Cookies: _fbp
Purpose: Track conversions from our ads; build custom audiences for retargeting
Data: Your interactions (page views, purchases), device info, IP address
Retention: 3 months
Your control: Opt out via Meta's Ads Preferences or browser settings
Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy
Data transfer note: Meta transfers data to the USA under SCCs. You can limit personalisation in your Privacy Settings.

6.3 LinkedIn Corporation

Services: LinkedIn Ads (if deployed for B2B marketing)
Cookies: li_buid, li_gc
Purpose: Track ad performance; build audience profiles
Data: Your job title, company, industry, interests
Retention: 3 years
Your control: Opt out via LinkedIn Ads Settings
Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy

Note: If you connect with us via LinkedIn as a professional, LinkedIn will have your profile data. This policy does not restrict LinkedIn's collection under their own terms.

7. Google Analytics 4 (GA4) – Specific Details

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) – Google's latest analytics platform.

7.1 What GA4 Collects

• User engagement: Pages viewed, time on site, clicks, scroll depth
• Device information: Browser type, operating system, device type, screen resolution
• Geographic data: City/country (derived from IP, anonymised)
• Traffic source: How you found our site (direct, search, referral, social, ads)
• Events: Downloads, form submissions, video plays, purchases
• Audience insights: Age, gender, interests (if you have a Google account and have enabled this in Google Ads)

7.2 What GA4 Does NOT Collect (With Our Settings)

• Your full IP address (last octet is removed)
• Personally identifiable information like email address or phone (unless you provide it via a form and we manually link it – which we don't do by default)
• Sensitive personal data (financial data, health data, etc.)

7.3 How We Use GA4 Data

• Identifying which pages are most popular (product pages, contact page)
• Understanding visitor journey (how visitors navigate from product enquiry to quote request)
• Measuring conversion rate (visitors who submit contact forms or request quotes)
• Optimising site speed and user experience
• Detecting technical errors or broken links
• Understanding which marketing channels drive the most valuable traffic

7.4 GA4 Data Retention

GA4 stores data for 24 months by default (after which it is deleted). We have set aggregation to monthly to reduce the granularity of retained data.

Reporting retention: We generate monthly reports; raw GA4 data expires after 2 years.

7.5 Can You Opt Out of GA4?

Yes, several ways:

1. Reject analytics cookies via our cookie banner ("Reject All" or toggle off "Performance & Analytics")
2. Install Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
3. Adjust Google Ad Settings: https://myaccount.google.com/ads-preferences
4. Use a privacy browser extension (e.g., uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger) to block Google Analytics scripts
5. Disable third-party cookies in your browser settings

Note: Even if you opt out, our website will function normally. Opting out only prevents Google Analytics from tracking your session.

8. Marketing Email and PECR Compliance

8.1 What is PECR?

The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) requires:

• Obtaining your prior consent before sending you marketing emails (unless you are an existing customer)
• Providing an opt-out link in every marketing email
• Honouring unsubscribe requests within 10 business days
• Identifying yourself as a business (our name and address must appear)

8.2 Our Approach to Marketing Email

We will only send you marketing emails (newsletters, product updates, promotions) if:

Option A: You have explicitly consented

• You ticked the "I'd like to receive updates from BLV Exports" checkbox on our website or contact form
• Or you verbally agreed during a trade show conversation (and we recorded your consent)

Option B: You are an existing customer (PECR soft opt-in exception)

• You have purchased from us in the past
• We are sending you similar products/services to what you bought
• We provided an easy way for you to opt out at purchase
• We will still include an opt-out link in every email

Option C: Business-to-business (B2B) email (limited exception)

• We may send marketing emails to business email addresses (not personal emails)
• If the recipient is a professional acting in their business capacity
• But we still recommend obtaining explicit consent to be compliant

8.3 Unsubscribing from Marketing Emails

Every marketing email contains an "Unsubscribe" link in the footer. Click it or reply "STOP" to:

• Be removed from our mailing list immediately
• Not receive marketing emails for at least 10 business days
• Still receive transactional emails (order confirmations, shipping updates)

If you unsubscribe, we will keep a suppression record (name and email) for 3 months to ensure we don't re-add you and to respect your opt-out.

8.4 Transactional Emails (Not Marketing)

Even if you opt out of marketing emails, we will still send you:

• Order confirmations
• Shipping and delivery updates
• Invoice and payment reminders
• Password reset links
• Account notifications
• Support responses

These are transactional (not promotional) and do not require separate consent under PECR.

9. International Considerations

9.1 UK Residents

If you are in the UK, this policy complies with:

• UK GDPR (retained EU law under the UK Data Protection Act 2018)
• PECR 2003 (for electronic marketing)
• ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) guidance

9.2 EU Residents

If you are in the EU, this policy also complies with:

• EU GDPR 2016/679
• ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC (implemented in each EU member state's national law)
• Your local Data Protection Authority may also have specific requirements

If we identify that you are in the EU (e.g., via IP geolocation or explicit declaration), we apply GDPR and ePrivacy requirements to your data.

9.3 Other Countries

For residents outside the UK and EU, this policy still applies as it reflects best practice. Some countries have their own cookie and privacy laws (e.g., CCPA in California, LGPD in Brazil). If you are subject to such laws, those requirements may apply in addition to this policy.

10. Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that tells websites you don't want to be tracked. Currently, we do not modify our cookie usage based on DNT signals, as there is no industry standard for how to respond.

However, you can:

• Use our cookie preferences (Reject All or Manage Settings)
• Use your browser's privacy settings
• Install privacy browser extensions

11. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this policy:

• When we add or remove cookies (e.g., testing a new analytics tool)
• When regulations change (e.g., new GDPR guidance from the ICO or EDPB)
• When we change data processors (e.g., moving to a new CRM or analytics platform)

Notification: We will update the "Last updated" date above. For material changes, we will:

• Post a prominent notice on our website
• Email you if you're a registered customer
• Request fresh consent for new cookies if required

Continued use of our website after updates constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies, this policy, or your preferences:

Primary email: gvashistha@blvexports.co.uk
Secondary email: ngauba@blvexports.co.uk
Phone: +44 78334 42729
Post: Williamson Heights, 5 Southway Street, Wembley HA9 0JY
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Website: www.blvexports.co.uk

13. Regulatory Compliance Summary

This Cookie Policy is designed to comply with:

End of Cookie Policy

Version history:

• v1.0 (24 Aug 2026) – Initial publication, Google Analytics GA4 implementation