When a Chinese supplier takes a deposit and stops responding, the first step is not just filing a complaint. The case needs a fast review of contract records, payment trails, Chinese entity identity, U.S. contacts, asset clues, and Hague service timing.
Save contracts, pro forma invoices, purchase orders, wire instructions, payment confirmations, WeChat or email promises, shipping deadlines, and refund requests.
Compare the contract party, factory, exporter, bank beneficiary, sales agent, and Chinese registry name before naming the defendant.
Look for U.S. customers, importers, marketplace accounts, bank trails, receivables, and affiliates before spending months on service alone.
A supplier disappearance can look simple, but the legal record often contains multiple companies, English trade names, individuals, and bank beneficiaries. If the wrong entity is sued or served, a later default judgment may be harder to defend or collect.
Useful evidence includes the signed contract, purchase order, quote, invoice, bank wire confirmation, beneficiary details, export documents, inspection records, delivery promises, refund demands, and all communications after the missed deadline.
If the defendant is in mainland China, service usually must proceed through the Hague Convention. The service package should use the correct Chinese legal name and address and should be coordinated with any court deadline-extension motion.
Before default, evaluate U.S.-reachable assets, importers, distributors, marketplace sales, related companies, and payment trails. Those facts can support settlement pressure, expedited discovery, attachment, or post-judgment collection.
Do not wait until after a default judgment to look for assets. In deposit-loss cases, the strongest leverage often comes from matching payment records and U.S.-side business activity early.
Often yes, if jurisdiction, contract records, defendant identity, and service requirements can be established. The case should be reviewed before filing so the correct Chinese party is named.
Contracts, invoices, wire confirmations, bank-beneficiary details, Chinese names, address records, shipment promises, refund requests, and sales communications are especially important.
Asset and payment-trail review should start early. It can shape settlement strategy, emergency relief, discovery, and whether the eventual judgment has realistic recovery value.
Often yes, if jurisdiction, contract records, defendant identity, and service requirements can be established. The case should be reviewed before filing so the correct Chinese party is named.
Contracts, invoices, wire confirmations, bank-beneficiary details, Chinese names, address records, shipment promises, refund requests, and sales communications are especially important.
Asset and payment-trail review should start early. It can shape settlement strategy, emergency relief, discovery, and whether the eventual judgment has realistic recovery value.