When a Chinese supplier has taken a deposit but threatens to resell finished goods, ship them to another buyer, or hold them unless more money is paid, the record needs to be organized quickly for demand, court, service, and recovery strategy.
Preserve purchase orders, deposit receipts, production milestones, photos, inspection records, title terms, and messages showing the goods were made for your order.
Save warehouse, forwarder, container, booking, export, and delivery records showing whether the goods remain in China, are in transit, or were sold elsewhere.
Evaluate demand letters, temporary relief, asset-freeze facts, Hague service timing, and whether related U.S. assets or platform funds can support recovery.
A resale threat is not just a routine delivery delay. It can affect ownership evidence, damages, urgency, defendant selection, settlement leverage, and whether counsel should evaluate temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or asset-freeze options before the goods disappear.
Collect the contract, purchase order, pro forma invoice, deposit and balance payment records, production photos, inspection reports, warehouse location, shipping schedule, exporter information, WeChat or email resale threats, refund promises, and any new demand for extra payment.
The proper defendant may be the factory, trading company, exporter, payment beneficiary, affiliate, or individual guarantor. Before filing, counsel should align the Chinese legal name, address, exhibits, translations, and Hague service package with the actual party controlling the goods.
A clear timeline can support a demand letter, emergency-relief record, settlement negotiations, default posture, damages calculation, and asset-recovery plan. If the supplier has U.S. customers, receivables, platform balances, or logistics partners, those facts may support discovery and leverage.
Before escalating a China supplier dispute, align the documents, defendant identity, address, damages model, and Hague service strategy so settlement pressure and court filings do not contradict each other.
Contracts, invoices, payment records, shipment documents, registry records, demand messages, damages records, and Chinese entity details usually matter most.
If the proper defendant is in mainland China and a U.S. lawsuit is filed, Hague Convention service usually needs to be planned unless a court-approved alternative applies.
The factory, trading company, exporter, payment beneficiary, affiliate, or guarantor may differ. Early review helps align service, settlement, default, and collection strategy.