This Refund & Warranty Policy explains the conditions under which China Sourcing & Trading Co. (“we,” “our,” “us”) handles refunds, returns, replacements, and warranty claims for products procured on your behalf.
1. Quality Assurance
Before any shipment leaves China, we conduct a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) covering:
- Visual defects (scratches, dents, discoloration, finish quality)
- Functional testing (where applicable)
- Dimensional and weight checks against specifications
- Quantity verification
- Packaging and labeling compliance
PSI reports are shared with you for approval before goods are released to the freight forwarder.
2. Refund Eligibility
You may request a refund under the following conditions:
- Pre-production: Before manufacturing begins — full refund of all payments (less any non-refundable sampling costs already incurred)
- Pre-shipment: After PSI failure and supplier refusal to rework — full refund of the rejected batch value
- Significant defects: If >5% of delivered units fail to meet agreed specifications (verified by our inspection team)
Refunds are issued to the original payment method within 15 business days of approval. Bank wire fees and currency conversion costs are borne by the Client.
3. Replacements & Rework
For minor defects (≤5% defect rate) or issues correctable by the supplier, we will first pursue replacement or rework with the supplier at no additional cost to you. This is typically faster and cheaper than a refund.
Rework or replacement turnaround depends on the nature of the defect and supplier capacity, typically 7–21 days.
4. Warranty Claims
Standard warranty terms are negotiated into each purchase contract and vary by product category. Typical terms:
- Electronics / Solar panels / Inverters: 12–24 months against manufacturing defects
- Automotive parts: 6–12 months
- General merchandise: 3–6 months
Warranty claims must be filed within 30 days of discovering the defect, with photo / video evidence and the original inspection report reference. We coordinate with the supplier to resolve valid claims.
5. Non-Refundable Costs
The following costs are generally non-refundable once incurred:
- Sample fees (paid to suppliers for custom samples)
- Tooling / mold costs (custom-made for your product)
- Third-party inspection fees for completed inspections
- Shipping and customs duties (once goods have shipped)
- Bank wire and currency conversion fees
6. Dispute Resolution Process
If you are not satisfied with a refund or warranty decision:
- Step 1: Contact your account manager with detailed evidence
- Step 2: Escalate to our operations director if unresolved within 5 business days
- Step 3: Independent third-party inspection at shared cost (50/50)
- Step 4: Mediation or arbitration under CIETAC rules (see Terms of Service)
7. Force Majeure
We are not responsible for delays or defects caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, government actions, port strikes, pandemics, supplier bankruptcy, or material shortages.
8. Contact
To file a refund or warranty claim, contact sales@example.com with your order number and issue description.
Last updated: January 2026