China Business, Law & Sourcing Blog
The content found in this blog is intended to serve as general information about China law, business & sourcing; it is not legal advice nor intended as legal advice
Most Recent China Business Blog Posts
How to find and verify a supplier in China
Here is how we answered a question about how to find and verify for a Chinese supplier for a potential European client. As the answer is applicable to a wide range of products, I decided to blog about the Q&A. Question about finding a supplier in China Does your company provide recommendation on reputable companies for purchase of medical machines in China? Mike’s Short Answer: Thanks for your email. I am afraid we don’t find suppliers for you, but if…
Establishing Net Terms: reality of buying on credit – China suppliers
I’m honored to serve as the primary content curator for Global Sources’ knowledge center. I also volunteer to lead the China Sourcing “ask the experts” help desk for Global Sources. Here is how we answered a question about importing phone accessories from China, but the answer is applicable to just about any businessperson that wants to buy on credit from China, so I decided to blog about the Q&A. I’m a small importer (less than $100K per year) based in…
Establishing Net Terms: The Realities of Buying on Credit from China suppliers
I’m honored to serve as the primary content curator for Global Sources’ knowledge center. I also volunteer to lead the China Sourcing “ask the experts” help desk for Global Sources. Here is how we answered a question about importing phone accessories from China, but the answer is applicable to just about any businessperson that wants to buy on credit from China, so I decided to blog about the Q&A. I’m a small importer (less than $100K per year) based…
When Do China Suppliers Go On Holiday for the Chinese New Year?
Here is an edited discussion (to protect identity of parties) regarding a question about how the Chinese New Year Holiday impacts the supply chain of electronics sourced by a US company, but the answer is applicable at a national level for a wide range of products, so I decided to blog about the Q&A. Here is an edited discussion (to protect identity of parties) regarding a question about how the Chinese New Year Holiday impacts the supply chain of electronics…
Older China Business Blog Posts
Payment Methods & Counterfeit Products from China II
I’m honored to serve as the primary content curator for Global Sources’ knowledge center. I also volunteer to lead the China Sourcing “ask the experts” help desk for Global Sources. Here is how we answered a question about importing diving knives from China, but the answer is applicable to a wide range of products that are highly regulated as they are dangerous if not used safely, so I decided…
China Sourcing: Shipping Drama & Supplier Selection
I’m honored to serve as the primary content curator for Global Sources’ knowledge center. I also volunteer to lead the China Sourcing “ask the experts” help desk for Global Sources. Here is how we answered questions about shipping from China and how to find a supplier of computer components, but the answers are applicable to a wide range of products, so I decided to blog about the Q&A. The…
Prototyping and Product Development Dangers in China
I’m honored to serve as the primary content curator for Global Sources’ knowledge center. I also volunteer to lead the China Sourcing “ask the experts” help desk for Global Sources. Here is how we answered a question about building prototypes and launching test order from China, but the answer is applicable to a wide range of products, so I decided to blog about the Q&A. I need a…
Supplier Payments: Dangers of sending money to a 3rd party or Hong Kong sister company.
I have seen situations where the buyer takes the seller to court because the product had bad quality or was delivered late, but the case was lost because (even though the buyer had clear signatures on the invoice, PO, and warranty terms) the mainland supplier claimed that the PO was never activated because no funds were received to their corporate account. They say “how can we be help liable for an order that was never paid for?”.
Supplier Payments and Bank Transfer Headaches: What is the zip code for Hong Kong?
Here is an edited discussion (to protect identity of parties) regarding a question from a US buyer regarding how to answer questions from his local bank when sending money for the first time to the Hong Kong Bank account of a Mainland China supplier What is the Hong Kong postal/zip code? “I’m getting ready to send a bank transfer (TT) from my Bank (HSBC) to the Hong Kong bank…
Importing from China: Documents, Paperwork, Certificates & Compliance
I’m honored to serve as the primary content curator for Global Sources’ knowledge center. I also volunteer to lead the China Sourcing “ask the experts” help desk for Global Sources. Here is how we answered a question about importing LED light bulbs from China to India, but the answer is applicable to a wide range of products, so I decided to blog about the Q&A. Can I Import LED…
China Sourcing: Making Safe Payments and Expectations about Credit
I’m honored to serve as the primary content curator for Global Sources’ knowledge center. I also volunteer to lead the China Sourcing “ask the experts” help desk for Global Sources. Here is how we answered a question about importing motorcycle part from China, but the answer is applicable to a wide range of products, so I decided to blog about the Q&A. I need motorcycle spare parts on credit.…
Payment Methods & Counterfeit Products from China Part.1
I’m honored to serve as the primary content curator for Global Sources’ knowledge center. I also volunteer to lead the China Sourcing “ask the experts” help desk for Global Sources. Here is how we answered a question about importing cognac from China, but the answer is applicable to a wide range of products, so I decided to blog about the Q&A. I am interested in ordering Hennessy cognac, for…
Due Diligence and QC are important. Contracts are Essential.
Executive Summary: Initial productions runs in China are particularly challenging as there are so many unknowns. Distance and language complicate transparency. This is the story of a US buyer who did everything right in terms of due diligence and quality control. But for reasons beyond his control, the entire order was defective. They had the foresight to create a bilingual contract with the supplier. Without the contract, this would have…
Most Popular China Business Blog Posts
Dispute Resolution in China: Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration, Court Action
Here is an edited discussion (to protect identity of parties) regarding a question about dispute resolution in Guangdong Province involving electronics sourced by a US…
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What is a Demand Letter and how is it used in China to solve disputes?
Negotiations with your supplier going nowhere? Have you been wronged by a party in Asia? Need help getting your money back? Demand Letter Service Unfortunately,…
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Vietnam vs China: Sourcing 2021 and Beyond
“China + 1” is a sourcing strategy that became popular in the past decade in response to the increased costs of doing business in the…
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China Shipping 2021 and Beyond: Delays, Dangers and Best Practices
Shipping rates continue to rise, experts expect the situation will remain problematic beyond Christmas and Chinese New Year. China Shipping 2021: Background and why we…
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What To Do When You Find Your IP being Knocked-off on Alibaba?
The lawyers in our network receive this kind of request on an almost daily basis: Pitfalls and Best Practices for getting copycats shut down on…
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Freight Costs From China Continue to Escalate
If higher prices, increased raw material costs and IC chip shortages weren’t enough to make you pull your hair out, if you’re doing business in…
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Be An Exciting But Honest Potential Customer
I mentioned in my previous blog that it’s not a good practice just to say “What’s your lowest price?”. 4 tips on How to be…
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Common Mistakes and Tips when Visiting Trade Shows and Factory
In this blog post, I’ll share with you the common mistakes that new buyers often make when visiting trade shows for the first few times.…
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What is the Biggest Red Flag When Looking for the Right Type of Supplier at a Trade Show?
Today’s blog post, I will expose how two very common scams can unfold when you are doing business in China. While both these scams have…
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Common Scams when doing business in China
Today’s blog post, I will expose how two very common scams can unfold when you are doing business in China. While both these scams have…
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Tips and Practices to Avoid Scams
In my previous blog, I was talking about The 3 Most Common Scams. So you might be thinking “Oh my God how do I protect…
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The 3 Most Common Scams You Should Know
Here are a few examples of the most common scams targeting foreign buyers. Scam #1: “The Classic” This is where the scam artist convinces the…
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