Payment protection: how your deposit and balance are secured
How deposits, letters of credit, inspections and shipping documents work together, so the balance is not paid until the goods have been checked and the documents are in order.
Deposit first, balance against documents
An order is formed when you accept a written quote and pay the deposit stated on the proforma invoice. The balance is due after a passed final inspection and against shipping documents.
- Deposit stated up frontThe amount, due date and payment route are on the proforma invoice before you pay anything.
- Balance against documentsThe balance follows a passed final inspection and the shipping documents, not the other way round.
- Bank details you can verifyBank details are only valid on our letterhead and confirmed by phone. Pay a company account in the company name — never a personal account.
Letters of credit
A letter of credit is a bank guarantee to pay against compliant shipping documents. It is common for first orders; a deposit plus balance against documents is the alternative.
- Documents decide paymentPayment is made when the documents match the credit terms: typically the invoice, packing list, bill of lading and any certificates the credit asks for.
- Terms agreed in writingThe credit type and conditions are agreed on the proforma invoice before production starts.
Inspection before the balance
Bulk is inspected at AQL 2.5 (major) unless agreed otherwise, and the balance is due after a passed final inspection.
- Sealed pre-production sampleThe approved PP sample is sealed as the reference the bulk is inspected against.
- Inline and final inspectionChecks during production and before ex-factory, with a report you can read before you pay the balance.
- Your own inspectorYou can bring a third-party inspector; we coordinate access and timing with the factory.
Documents that travel with the goods
The paperwork for your destination is prepared before the goods ship, so customs clearance does not depend on chasing it afterwards.
- Shipping setCommercial invoice, packing list, and the bill of lading or air waybill.
- Origin and market papersCertificate of origin or origin statement, and the compliance documents your market asks for.
- Factory identity at quote acceptanceYou learn which factory makes your order when you accept the quote, with its audit and certificate details.
Questions buyers ask
Do I pay the full amount upfront?
No. A deposit confirms the order; the balance follows a passed final inspection and the shipping documents. The exact split is stated on the proforma invoice before you pay.
What if the goods fail inspection?
The balance is due after a passed final inspection, so a failed lot does not trigger it. How rework and re-inspection are handled is set out in your written order terms.
Can I use a letter of credit?
Yes. LCs are common for first orders; a deposit plus balance against documents is the alternative. The route is agreed on the proforma invoice.
How do I know a bank detail is genuine?
Bank details are only valid on our letterhead and confirmed by phone. If a message changes them, check with us through the details on the contact page before paying.
Want the documents for your file?
We send certificates, audit summaries and factory profiles per programme, once you accept a quote.