Paying suppliers in China: what to watch for
Payment is where mistakes are most expensive. A few rules reduce the risk considerably.
Common practices
A deposit to start production and the balance before shipping is common for factory orders; market shops often ask for a deposit on order and the rest on delivery to the warehouse.
Reducing risk
- Never pay without a clear proforma invoice with quantities and specifications.
- Split payments where possible: deposit, then balance before shipping or after inspection.
- Keep all receipts and conversations.
- Verify the beneficiary name before any transfer and be wary of sudden requests to change bank details.
FAQ
Do you warn me about unreliable suppliers?
We share what we observe while dealing with them, but the final payment decision remains yours.
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