Chinese Supplier Dispute Lawyer
We help overseas buyers assess Chinese supplier disputes involving non-delivery, defective goods, failed product tests and unrecovered payments. If goods are held at customs, start with the stated reason, agreed standards, supplier identity and evidence.
What went wrong with the order?
Identify whether the problem is non-delivery, defective goods, a restricted-substance test failure, or a customs hold caused by documents or labelling. We assess the supplier obligations, evidence and China-side claim. Overseas customs procedures require qualified local advice where needed.
Routes and remedies to assess
The contract, evidence, forum and applicable law determine which options are available.
- Assess return of advance payments, termination and damages where legally supported.
- Review agreed quality standards, inspection procedures and notice records.
- Preserve original electronic records and arrange appropriate product evidence collection.
- Review the governing law, any applicable CISG issues and the court or arbitration clause.
From assessment to the next procedural step
These are stages, not promised completion dates. Service, objections, evidence, appeals and assets affect timing.
Review the record
Confirm the parties, facts, forum and commercial objective.
Close evidence gaps
Prepare authority, evidence, translations and any urgent application.
Pursue the selected route
Address filing, service, objections and evidence under the applicable procedure.
Assess settlement or collection
Review the result, reachable assets and the costs of the next step.
What to prepare for an assessment
- Purchase order, specifications, samples and agreed delivery or inspection terms.
- Bank receipts and the payment recipient's identity.
- Complete customs notices and laboratory reports, tested parameters and limits, sampling records, batch identifiers and response deadlines.
- Shipping and storage records, retained sample locations, defect notices and an itemized loss record.
- Complete communications, refund promises and the supplier's Chinese legal name.
Costs, timing and recovery risk
Budget separately for legal work, court fees, translation, authentication, expert evidence and any preservation security or insurance. The amount disputed is not the amount recoverable. Obtain a scope-specific proposal and reassess costs if the forum, evidence or asset picture changes.
Plan the overall litigation budget · Check court fee categories
Related preparation and counsel
Common questions
A failed test does not automatically establish a full refund. Review the agreed standard, destination requirements communicated to the supplier, the reason for the hold and the link between the sample and shipment. Product defects and missing import paperwork can raise different responsibility questions.
Start with the order or contract, payment records, and the complete test report or customs notice. In your initial inquiry, summarize the problem and any deadline. We will explain how to share documents and identify further records needed.
The payment terms, reason for non-performance and available remedies need review. The English word deposit does not by itself establish a particular legal remedy.
Review which entity contracted, received payment and undertook obligations. Common ownership or a shared contact does not automatically make both liable.
Record their location, condition and chain of custody. Evidence collection and any local assistance must be planned for that location and the intended proceeding.
Related disputes
Guides for this problem
Read the practical issues that usually affect the next China-side decision.
Think this is your situation?
Send a short summary, the amount involved and any approaching deadline. We identify the information needed for assessment and provide a scope and fee proposal before engagement.
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