Payment Terms and How They Work
Payment terms are agreed per order and written into the proforma invoice, so nothing is left to assumption. This is how the process normally runs for new and repeat customers.
Typical Terms
- A deposit is normally paid before production starts, with the balance settled before shipment.
- Bank transfer (T/T) is the standard method; other arrangements are discussed per project.
- For trial orders, payment terms are kept simple so the first order does not become a paperwork exercise.
- All amounts, currencies and milestones are stated explicitly in the proforma invoice before payment.
What Happens Step by Step
Quotation
Specification, quantity and price confirmed in writing.
Proforma invoice
Payment terms, currency, bank details and milestones issued for your records.
Deposit & production
Production is scheduled once the deposit clears.
Balance & shipment
The balance settles before dispatch; shipping documents follow the shipment.
Payment methods for charger orders — deposits, balance and shipping documents Know moreKnow less
How a first order is usually paid
A first order normally runs on a deposit with the balance due against the bill of lading — the deposit covers components and tooling at the start of production, and the balance is settled once the goods are on board and the shipping documents can be released. This split keeps the commitment sensible on both sides for a 200 pcs trial order as well as for a container programme.
Methods we accept
Bank transfer (T/T) is the standard route for export orders. For buyers who prefer a regulated intermediary, payment through a trade assurance platform or an escrow service is possible on request, and the quotation states which routes are available for the programme. All amounts are quoted in US dollars unless agreed otherwise.
Terms for repeat customers
Once a programme has shipped a few times and the specification is stable, payment terms can be relaxed — for example a lower deposit with the balance against documents, or partial payment on arrival. Terms are agreed per customer rather than published, because they depend on the shipping schedule and the size of the programme.
What the invoice covers
Unit price at the agreed quantity, tooling and printing plates where applicable, packaging, and the freight term — FOB Shenzhen, CIF or your forwarder's account. Certification costs are listed separately because they are per market and per model. Nothing is added after the order is confirmed, and the document set travels with the shipping paperwork.
What happens if an order is delayed
If production or shipping slips, the schedule is sent to the buyer with the reason before the original date passes, and the payment milestones move with the shipment rather than staying fixed to the calendar. For first orders this matters more than the terms themselves: a deposit that is called early is a sign of trouble, and a deposit that is called against a photographed, tested batch is not.
Currency, invoicing and documents
Invoices are issued in US dollars unless agreed otherwise, and state the unit price at the agreed quantity, tooling where it applies, the freight term and any certification cost separately. The document set that travels with the goods — invoice, packing list, bill of lading and the batch test report — is prepared to match the destination market's customs requirements.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you accept letters of credit? For larger programmes, yes — discuss it with your contact when the order is placed.
- Are prices quoted in US dollars? Yes unless agreed otherwise in writing.
- What documents ship with the goods? Invoice, packing list, bill of lading and the test reports for the batch.
Tell Us What You Need to Charge
Send the device list, target markets and first order quantity. You get charger options, the certification list for your countries and a costed quotation — usually within 24 hours.
- Trial orders from 200 pcsEnough to test a channel before committing to a container.
- Certification groundworkCE, FCC, RoHS, PSE and KC support from the first sample.
- One project ownerSame person from quotation through samples, production and reorders.