{"id":1282,"date":"2026-09-08T22:57:04","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T14:57:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lyuandassociates.com\/hangzhou\/made-in-china-com-supplier-dispute-what-should-you-do\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T22:57:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T14:57:05","slug":"made-in-china-com-supplier-dispute-what-should-you-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lyuandassociates.com\/hangzhou\/made-in-china-com-supplier-dispute-what-should-you-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Made-in-China.com Supplier Dispute: What Should You Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

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Hangzhou is a relevant commercial location for international buyers sourcing from China.<\/strong> Hangzhou combines a strong technology and e-commerce economy with manufacturing and export-oriented industrial activity. A dispute involving a supplier in this market should be considered in light of both the contractual relationship and the practical characteristics of the local supply chain.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

If you purchased goods from a Chinese supplier through Made-in-China.com and the supplier failed to deliver, delivered defective products, refused to provide a refund, or otherwise breached the transaction, you may have several options.<\/p>\n

The appropriate response depends on how the transaction was structured, how you paid the supplier, what was agreed, and what evidence you have.<\/p>\n

For some transactions, the first step may be to use Made-in-China.com’s Secured Trading Service (STS) dispute process. For higher-value or more serious disputes, however, a platform complaint may not be sufficient. You may need to consider a formal legal claim against the Chinese supplier.<\/p>\n

What Is a Made-in-China.com Supplier Dispute?<\/h3>\n

Made-in-China.com is a B2B sourcing platform connecting international buyers with Chinese suppliers.<\/p>\n

A supplier dispute may arise when the supplier fails to perform its contractual obligations, including:<\/p>\n

Failing to deliver the goods;
\nDelivering only part of the order;
\nDelivering defective products;
\nDelivering products that do not match the agreed specifications;
\nFailing to meet the agreed delivery date;
\nRefusing to refund a payment or deposit;
\nFailing to provide agreed documents;
\nRefusing to replace defective goods; or
\nOtherwise breaching the sales or manufacturing agreement.<\/p>\n

The first question is not simply “How do I complain to Made-in-China.com?”<\/p>\n

The more important question is:<\/p>\n

What legal rights do I have against the Chinese supplier, and how can I recover my loss?<\/p>\n

Step 1: Determine How You Paid the Supplier<\/h3>\n

Before taking action, determine how the transaction was structured.<\/p>\n

This can make a significant difference to your options.<\/p>\n

Secured Trading Service<\/h3>\n

If your order was placed through Made-in-China.com’s Secured Trading Service, the transaction may be subject to the platform’s secured-trading and dispute procedures.<\/p>\n

The current STS buyer terms state that disputes between a buyer and supplier arising from use of the service can be handled under Made-in-China.com’s dispute-settlement standards.<\/p>\n

The platform also describes STS as a payment-protection mechanism under which funds are held through the service and released according to the applicable transaction arrangements.<\/p>\n

Direct T\/T Payment<\/h3>\n

Not every transaction with a Made-in-China.com supplier is necessarily protected by STS.<\/p>\n

For example, a buyer may:<\/p>\n

Find a supplier on Made-in-China.com;
\nNegotiate the transaction by email or messaging;
\nSign a sales contract or receive a proforma invoice;
\nTransfer a deposit directly to the supplier’s bank account; and
\nComplete the transaction outside the platform’s secured-trading system.<\/p>\n

In that situation, the buyer may need to pursue the supplier based primarily on the underlying contract and applicable law, rather than relying on a platform refund procedure.<\/p>\n

This distinction is particularly important for high-value machinery, industrial equipment, building materials, furniture, OEM products and other customized goods.<\/p>\n

Step 2: Contact the Supplier and Attempt to Resolve the Problem<\/h3>\n

If a problem occurs, you should normally first communicate with the supplier.<\/p>\n

Made-in-China.com’s buyer guidance also recommends contacting the supplier to discuss a solution before escalating a dispute to the platform.<\/p>\n

However, this does not mean that you should simply continue exchanging informal messages indefinitely.<\/p>\n

For a significant dispute, your communications should clearly establish:<\/p>\n

What was ordered;
\nWhat was agreed;
\nWhat the supplier was required to do;
\nWhat the supplier actually did;
\nWhy the performance was defective or incomplete;
\nWhat remedy you are requesting; and
\nThe deadline for the supplier to respond.<\/p>\n

For a substantial claim, a formal written demand may be more effective than continuing ordinary commercial correspondence.<\/p>\n

Step 3: Preserve Your Evidence<\/h3>\n

Evidence is often the most important part of a Chinese supplier dispute.<\/p>\n

You should preserve the complete transaction record, including:<\/p>\n

Contract Documents<\/h3>\n

Sales contract;
\nPurchase order;
\nProforma invoice;
\nQuotation;
\nTechnical specifications;
\nProduct drawings;
\nApproved samples;
\nInspection requirements;
\nWarranty terms.<\/p>\n

Payment Evidence<\/h3>\n

Bank transfer records;
\nPayment receipts;
\nCredit card records;
\nPlatform payment records;
\nDeposit records;
\nRefund records.<\/p>\n

Communications<\/h3>\n

Made-in-China.com messages;
\nEmails;
\nWhatsApp;
\nWeChat;
\nOther correspondence with the supplier.<\/p>\n

Product Evidence<\/h3>\n

Photographs;
\nVideos;
\nInspection reports;
\nTesting reports;
\nShipping documents;
\nPacking lists;
\nCustoms documents;
\nRecords showing the actual condition of the goods.<\/p>\n

Made-in-China.com’s own buyer guidance recommends collecting detailed information about the supplier and preserving documents and communication records when preparing a complaint.<\/p>\n

Step 4: Submit a Made-in-China.com Dispute Where Applicable<\/h3>\n

For an eligible transaction, you may use Made-in-China.com’s dispute process.<\/p>\n

The platform’s published dispute standards state that they apply to disputes arising from Secured Trading Service orders between buyers and sellers on the international station.<\/p>\n

Depending on the transaction and applicable rules, disputes may concern matters such as:<\/p>\n

Non-delivery;
\nPartial delivery;
\nQuality problems;
\nRefund disputes;
\nProduct discrepancies;
\nOther breaches of the transaction.<\/p>\n

Made-in-China.com provides a complaint process through which buyers can submit the complaint type and supporting documents.<\/p>\n

Step 5: Do Not Treat a Platform Complaint as the Same as a Court Case<\/h3>\n

This distinction is extremely important.<\/p>\n

Made-in-China.com provides a dispute-resolution mechanism for transactions conducted through its platform or secured-trading services.<\/p>\n

But Made-in-China.com is not a court.<\/p>\n

Its published terms state that where a dispute exists between a user and a third party, the parties may choose among various methods of resolution, including negotiation, a complaint to MIC, government complaints, arbitration where an arbitration agreement exists, or court proceedings.<\/p>\n

Made-in-China.com also states that it does not assume responsibility for trade disputes in which it did not participate and recommends contacting the relevant legal department where necessary.<\/p>\n

Therefore:<\/p>\n

A platform dispute and a legal claim against the Chinese supplier are two different things.<\/p>\n

A buyer may need to consider both.<\/p>\n

What If You Are Not Satisfied With Made-in-China.com’s Decision?<\/h3>\n

This is one of the most important questions for a buyer.<\/p>\n

If the platform process does not fully resolve your loss, you should not necessarily assume that the dispute is over.<\/p>\n

Made-in-China.com’s general terms expressly recognize that disputes with third parties may also be resolved through arbitration or court proceedings where legally available.<\/p>\n

The platform’s published dispute standards also contemplate subsequent legal proceedings or arbitration, with a court judgment or arbitral award taking precedence where it conflicts with the platform’s handling result.<\/p>\n

Therefore, if a buyer suffers a substantial loss, the next question may be:<\/p>\n

Can I bring a legal claim against the Chinese supplier?<\/p>\n

The answer depends on the underlying transaction.<\/p>\n

Can You Sue the Chinese Supplier?<\/h3>\n

Potentially, yes.<\/p>\n

But the answer cannot be determined simply by looking at the fact that the transaction took place on Made-in-China.com.<\/p>\n

The underlying documents need to be reviewed.<\/p>\n

Important questions include:<\/p>\n

Who is the contracting supplier?
\nWhat company received the payment?
\nWhat exactly did the supplier agree to provide?
\nWas there a written contract?
\nWas there an arbitration clause?
\nIs there a jurisdiction clause?
\nWhat law governs the contract?
\nWhere was the contract performed?
\nWhere is the supplier registered?
\nWhat losses can be proven?
\nDoes the supplier have recoverable assets?<\/p>\n

For a Chinese supplier, Chinese courts may be relevant depending on the applicable jurisdiction rules and the contractual arrangements.<\/p>\n

If the contract contains a valid arbitration agreement, arbitration may instead be required.<\/p>\n

This is why a lawyer should review the actual transaction documents rather than assuming that every Made-in-China.com transaction follows the same dispute-resolution procedure.<\/p>\n

Made-in-China.com Disputes vs. Direct T\/T Disputes<\/h3>\n

There is an important difference between the two.<\/p>\n

Transaction Initial Approach<\/p>\n

Made-in-China.com STS order Platform dispute \/ refund process<\/p>\n

Made-in-China.com transaction paid directly by T\/T Contract and supplier legal analysis<\/p>\n

Supplier delivered defective goods Evidence + quality\/specification analysis<\/p>\n

Supplier did not ship Payment + contract + delivery analysis<\/p>\n

Supplier refuses refund Demand + contractual claim<\/p>\n

Platform resolution insufficient Consider legal action against supplier<\/p>\n

The platform can be useful for resolving an eligible transaction.<\/p>\n

But for a significant commercial dispute, the underlying legal relationship with the supplier remains important.<\/p>\n

What If the Supplier Delivered Defective or Non-Conforming Goods?<\/h3>\n

Quality disputes are particularly common in international sourcing.<\/p>\n

The key issue is usually not simply whether the buyer considers the product “bad.”<\/p>\n

The legal question is often:<\/p>\n

Did the goods conform to what the supplier agreed to provide?<\/p>\n

For example, a machinery dispute may concern:<\/p>\n

Production capacity;
\nTechnical specifications;
\nMaterials;
\nDimensions;
\nPerformance;
\nTesting requirements;
\nInstallation;
\nCommissioning;
\nWarranty.<\/p>\n

A building-material dispute may concern:<\/p>\n

Material grade;
\nDimensions;
\nColor;
\nFinish;
\nQuantity;
\nCertifications;
\nTechnical standards;
\nApproved samples.<\/p>\n

A furniture dispute may concern:<\/p>\n

Dimensions;
\nMaterials;
\nColor;
\nHardware;
\nDrawings;
\nApproved samples;
\nManufacturing quality.<\/p>\n

This is why technical documents and communications with the supplier can be extremely important evidence.<\/p>\n

What If the Supplier Received My Money but Never Delivered?<\/h3>\n

This can be particularly serious where the buyer has paid a substantial deposit.<\/p>\n

The buyer should preserve:<\/p>\n

The contract or purchase order;
\nThe proforma invoice;
\nBank transfer records;
\nThe supplier’s bank-account information;
\nDelivery deadlines;
\nProduction records;
\nCommunications concerning production;
\nAny promises concerning shipment or refund.<\/p>\n

Made-in-China.com’s published dispute materials specifically recognize non-delivery and partial delivery as types of trade disputes under its secured-trading dispute framework.<\/p>\n

If the platform procedure is unavailable or does not fully resolve the loss, the buyer may need to consider a direct legal claim against the supplier.<\/p>\n

What Can a China Lawyer Do?<\/h3>\n

A lawyer’s role is not simply to submit a complaint on your behalf.<\/p>\n

For a significant supplier dispute, the more valuable role is to analyze the transaction as a potential legal recovery case.<\/p>\n

A China lawyer can assist with:<\/p>\n

Supplier Identification<\/p>\n

Determine the actual Chinese legal entity involved in the transaction.<\/p>\n

Contract Review<\/p>\n

Identify the supplier’s contractual obligations and potential breaches.<\/p>\n

Evidence Analysis<\/p>\n

Determine which documents support the buyer’s claim.<\/p>\n

Loss Calculation<\/p>\n

Assess the amounts that may potentially be claimed.<\/p>\n

Platform Dispute Assistance<\/p>\n

Where appropriate, help organize and present the buyer’s position in the Made-in-China.com dispute process.<\/p>\n

Demand Letter<\/p>\n

Send a formal legal demand to the Chinese supplier.<\/p>\n

Negotiation<\/p>\n

Communicate directly with the supplier to seek payment, replacement, refund or settlement.<\/p>\n

Litigation or Arbitration<\/p>\n

Assess and, where appropriate, pursue formal legal proceedings against the supplier.<\/p>\n

Enforcement<\/p>\n

If a judgment or arbitral award is obtained and the supplier does not voluntarily comply, consider enforcement against available Chinese assets.<\/p>\n

Common Made-in-China.com Supplier Disputes<\/h3>\n

We assist foreign buyers with disputes involving:<\/p>\n

\nMachinery and Industrial Equipment<\/strong><\/summary>\n

Custom machinery, production lines, industrial equipment, automation equipment and other technical products.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nBuilding Materials<\/strong><\/summary>\n

Stone, tiles, steel products, aluminum products, doors, windows, sanitary products and other construction materials.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nFurniture<\/strong><\/summary>\n

Custom furniture, hotel furniture, office furniture, commercial furniture and OEM furniture.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nOEM \/ ODM Manufacturing<\/strong><\/summary>\n

Customized products, private-label products and contract manufacturing arrangements.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nPayment and Refund Disputes<\/strong><\/summary>\n

Unreturned deposits, failed refunds, additional payment demands and payment-related contractual disputes.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

\nQuality and Delivery Disputes<\/strong><\/summary>\n

Defective products, non-conforming goods, failed inspections, late delivery and non-delivery.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

A Practical Approach to a Made-in-China.com Supplier Dispute<\/h3>\n

A high-value supplier dispute should generally be approached in stages:<\/p>\n

Preserve the evidence<\/p>\n

\u2193<\/p>\n

Identify the actual Chinese supplier<\/p>\n

\u2193<\/p>\n

Review the contract and transaction documents<\/p>\n

\u2193<\/p>\n

Determine whether an MIC dispute procedure is available<\/p>\n

\u2193<\/p>\n

Prepare the platform dispute, if appropriate<\/p>\n

\u2193<\/p>\n

Assess the underlying legal claim<\/p>\n

\u2193<\/p>\n

Send a formal demand or negotiate<\/p>\n

\u2193<\/p>\n

Consider arbitration or litigation<\/p>\n

\u2193<\/p>\n

Enforce the judgment or award if necessary<\/p>\n

The appropriate path depends on the facts of the individual transaction.<\/p>\n

When Should You Contact a China Lawyer?<\/h3>\n

You should consider obtaining legal advice particularly when:<\/p>\n

The transaction value is substantial;
\nThe supplier has received a large deposit;
\nThe supplier refuses to refund your money;
\nThe products are defective or substantially non-conforming;
\nThe transaction involves customized machinery;
\nThe supplier has stopped responding;
\nThe platform process has not fully resolved the dispute;
\nYou are considering litigation or arbitration;
\nYou need to determine whether the Chinese supplier has recoverable assets.<\/p>\n

For a small-value transaction, using the platform’s own dispute mechanism may be sufficient.<\/p>\n

For a high-value commercial transaction, however, the cost of failing to preserve evidence or choosing the wrong legal strategy can be much greater.<\/p>\n

What Should You Do Now?<\/h3>\n

If you have a dispute with a supplier found through Made-in-China.com, do not immediately delete messages, close the order, or continue informal negotiations without preserving the evidence.<\/p>\n

Collect the available transaction records first.<\/p>\n

These may include:<\/p>\n

Contract or purchase order;
\nProforma invoice;
\nPayment records;
\nMade-in-China.com order information;
\nSupplier communications;
\nProduct specifications;
\nDrawings;
\nInspection reports;
\nPhotos and videos;
\nShipping documents;
\nEvidence of your financial losses.<\/p>\n

The documents do not need to be formally organized before an initial legal review.<\/p>\n

The first step is to determine:<\/p>\n

What did the Chinese supplier agree to do, what actually happened, what can be proved, and what legal remedies may be available?<\/p>\n

Legal Assistance for Made-in-China.com Supplier Disputes<\/h3>\n

We provide China-focused legal support for foreign buyers involved in disputes with Chinese suppliers.<\/p>\n

Our services may include initial case assessment, evidence review, Made-in-China.com dispute assistance, contract analysis, lawyer’s demand letters, supplier negotiations, arbitration, litigation and enforcement in China.<\/p>\n

If the platform dispute does not fully resolve your loss, we can also assess the underlying legal claim against the Chinese supplier.<\/p>\n

The platform dispute may be the first step. It does not necessarily have to be the last.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Local Supply Chain Risks in Hangzhou<\/h3>\n

International buyers dealing with Hangzhou companies may be sourcing products or services connected with technology, e-commerce, electronics, machinery and consumer products. Typical issues may include technology-related contract disputes, OEM disputes, quality claims, delivery problems and payment disputes. Whether a particular issue gives rise to a legal claim depends on the contract, evidence, applicable law and the identity of the parties.<\/p>\n

Hangzhou is located in Zhejiang and is supported by strong technology, e-commerce and manufacturing networks supporting international trade. For cross-border transactions, these commercial circumstances can be useful background when assessing supplier verification, contract enforcement and dispute-resolution options.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Resolving a Supplier Dispute in Hangzhou<\/h3>\n

Where a commercial dispute has developed, an overseas buyer should avoid relying solely on informal communications. Reviewing the contract, identifying the correct legal entity, preserving documentary evidence and assessing the available dispute-resolution mechanism are usually important before deciding how to proceed.<\/p>\n

The appropriate legal strategy will depend on the specific transaction, the supplier\u2019s conduct and the remedies available under Chinese law.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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