Supplier dispute checklist

Chinese Supplier Demand Letter Checklist

Check whether your evidence, supplier identity, payment trail and written promises are strong enough before sending a demand letter to a Chinese supplier.

Preliminary preparation assessment only. This tool does not provide legal advice or generate a lawyer letter.

Start the checker 3 minutes

Evidence questions

Use what you have now. “Unsure” is better than guessing.

01

Transaction and payment

Order records, money paid and the delivery standard you agreed.

01 Do you have an invoice, pro forma invoice or commercial invoice?
02 Do you have payment records?
04 Was there a clear delivery deadline?
05 Do you have sample confirmation records?
02

Supplier identity

The legal entity behind the trade name and whether it can still be reached.

06 Do you have the supplier company name?
07 Do you know the other side’s Chinese company name?
08 Do you have the Chinese business license?
09 Does the supplier appear to still be operating?
03

Written evidence and terms

Messages, refund commitments and the agreed dispute forum.

10 Do you have chat records or email records?
11 Do you have any refund promise?
12 Do you have a contract jurisdiction or arbitration clause?

What this checklist helps you decide

A demand letter to a Chinese supplier works best when it is tied to the right Chinese legal entity, a clear payment trail, written delivery or refund promises, and a realistic next step if the supplier ignores the letter.

Use this checklist before you ask for a lawyer letter, especially if the supplier has stopped replying after a deposit, refused a refund, delayed shipment, delivered defective goods, or moved the discussion into WeChat messages.

The result is not a legal opinion. It is a quick way to spot missing evidence before you spend legal budget or warn the supplier too early.

Demand letter checklist FAQ

What should I prepare before sending a demand letter to a Chinese supplier?

Prepare the supplier’s Chinese legal name, business license or company code, contract or pro forma invoice, payment records, delivery promises, refund messages, inspection records, and the full WeChat or email chronology.

Is a demand letter useful if the supplier stopped replying after a deposit?

Sometimes. It is more useful when the supplier is still operating, the payment trail is clear, and the buyer can point to a realistic next step such as negotiation, platform complaint, arbitration, litigation, or asset preservation.

Should I send a demand letter before preserving evidence?

Usually no. Preserve payment records, original chats, invoices, contracts, inspection files, and supplier identity records first. A premature letter can give the supplier a chance to deny facts, delete messages, or move assets.

China Supplier Dispute Evidence Checklist

This is an informational readiness check, not legal advice. A lawyer should review the evidence and counterparty details before any demand letter is sent.

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