AboutHank S Expertise Ask me about sourcing products in China, finding manufacturers in China, importing from China, developing new products in China, moving manufacturing to China, price negotiations with suppliers in China, and logistics-related issues.
Experience I lived in China from 1993 to 2003 where I learned Chinese and worked in the fields of logistics, marketing and manufacturing services. I have visited hundreds of factories in China. I am authorized by the NYS Unified Court System as an interpreter of Mandarin Chinese. I have an MBA in international business and entrepreneurship. I work in a U.S. company as product development and sourcing manager.
Education/Credentials MBA, International Business & Entrepreneurship, City University of NY
BA, East Asian Studies & Chinese, City University of NY
Studied international trade taught in Chinese at the University of International Business & Economics in Beijing
Chinese language study at Beijing University & Nanjing University
Question Do we have any legal recourse if we fall prey to fraud or if a
china company does not abide by contract? Does it help to
contact China officials?
Answer Without knowing the details of your situation I would say that unless you're a big company with deep pockets there's little you can do. Some of the keys to doing business in China include due diligence, due diligence and due diligence. Money and time spent up front doing due diligence should mean exponential savings in terms of avoided losses later resulting from fraud and the like. One of the easiest and most ignored forms of due diligence is simply getting on a plane and going to China to meet your supplier. It might not be too late to do that now and try to work out your differences face-to-face. If you don't speak the language and you're not familiar with the lay of the land then you should hire a consultant to accompany you or meet you there. As for "contacting officials", this is a vague concept. Which officials will you contact? How will you contact them? How do you know if you will even be considered a victim of fraud under Chinese law? An official will probably just tell you to hire a lawyer.
