Quality disputes · PRACTICAL GUIDE
Chinese Supplier Sent Defective Goods — What Can I Do?
A quality complaint becomes a viable legal claim only when the agreed standard, the condition of the delivered goods, timely notice and the resulting loss can be proved as one chain.
Preserve the goods and the agreed standard
Do not rely only on photographs sent through chat. Preserve representative goods, packaging, batch numbers, approved samples, specifications, inspection records and the complete order history.
Record how samples were selected and tested. Where the claim value justifies it, an independent inspection can make the evidence substantially more useful.
Give notice and define the remedy
Send a clear written notice identifying the order, defects, quantity affected, supporting evidence and requested remedy. Contractual inspection and notice periods should be checked immediately.
Replacement, repair, price reduction, refund and damages require different evidence. Keep storage, rework, customer-claim and disposal costs separate and supported.
Initial document checklist
- Contract, PI and specifications
- Approved sample
- Inspection and sampling record
- Written defect notice
- Evidence of each category of loss