Standard answer
When a Chinese supplier promises a refund but does not pay, the buyer should preserve the promise, confirm who made it and for which legal entity, document the amount and due date, and convert the informal promise into an enforceable settlement or formal claim. Repeated promises should not become a reason to ignore limitation periods, asset risk, or the supplier’s deteriorating finances.
Save the full conversation rather than isolated screenshots. The evidence file should show the account identity, original order, payment, breach, refund reason, amount, payment date, and any partial repayment. A salesperson’s message may be useful, but authority and company attribution can still be disputed.
A settlement should identify the correct Chinese debtor, admitted amount, repayment dates, bank account, default consequences, governing law, dispute route, notice method, and whether any guarantor or security supports payment. Avoid language that unintentionally releases all claims upon signing or after a small partial payment.
If the supplier misses the settlement deadline, reassess assets and forum immediately. A lawyer demand may help, but only litigation, arbitration, or an enforceable settlement mechanism can create compulsory remedies.
Related LawPW Guides
- https://lawpw.com/recover-money-from-chinese-supplier/
- https://lawpw.com/demand-letter-to-chinese-supplier/
- https://lawpw.com/how-to-sue-a-chinese-supplier-from-overseas/
Guangdong Pingwei Law Firm is based in Shenzhen in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and handles China-related matters nationwide within the People’s Republic of China. This general information is not a legal opinion on any specific transaction or dispute.
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