Ordering from a new Chinese supplier can feel like a leap of faith. You want good pricing—but you also want to protect your money.
The safest payment options when ordering from new China suppliers include escrow services like Alibaba Trade Assurance, secure wire transfers with staged terms, PayPal for small orders, and letters of credit for large-volume deals.
At AceAccessory, we often guide first-time buyers through secure payment terms that balance protection with supplier trust—so you can grow confidently without risking your capital.
What is the new payment method in China?
Chinese sellers have adopted several modern payment methods, both for domestic and cross-border use. But not all are safe or appropriate for importers.
The most common “new” payment methods in China are digital wallets like Alipay and WeChat Pay—widely used in daily life, but rarely ideal for B2B international orders.
What are these digital tools—and can you use them?
| Payment Tool | Use in China | Safe for International B2B? |
|---|---|---|
| Alipay | Very common for retail | Only through Alibaba platform |
| WeChat Pay | Everyday small payments | Not recommended B2B use |
| UnionPay | Accepted in banks | Possible but slower |
| AliPay for Trade | Escrow protection | Yes, if using Trade Assurance |
As a rule: only use Alipay or WeChat Pay if your supplier is verified, and you’re placing a very small order (like samples under $200).
For larger orders, use a more formal channel—especially if you don’t have legal recourse in China.
We accept secure wire transfers and also offer Alibaba Trade Assurance, which protects your money until production is confirmed.
What is the safest payment method for importers?
Whether you're importing hair clips or scarves, the question stays the same: how do I pay without losing control?
The safest payment methods for importers are Trade Assurance (escrow), letter of credit (LC), and staged T/T (wire transfer) payments with proof checkpoints.
Here’s a comparison of secure payment types:
| Method | Ideal Order Size | Buyer Protection | Speed | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Assurance | <$100K | High (escrow) | Medium | Low |
| PayPal | <$2K | High (reversible) | Fast | Low-Medium |
| T/T (30/70 terms) | Any | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Letter of Credit | >$50K | High (bank-backed) | Slow | Very Low |
We always advise new buyers:
- Start small with Trade Assurance
- Move to 30/70 wire transfer after 1–2 smooth orders
- Use LC if you’re importing over $50,000 or have bank facilities
We support all three methods, and can help structure secure contracts and documents for each.
How do you pay your supplier in China?
Once the quote is approved and PI (Proforma Invoice) signed, it’s time to send payment. But the method and terms depend on your relationship stage.
Most importers pay Chinese suppliers via wire transfer (T/T), often in two parts—30% upfront to start production, and 70% after inspection or before shipment.
Common payment terms:
| Term Type | Structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 30/70 T/T | 30% deposit, 70% before ship | Most common for mid-volume buyers |
| 100% T/T | Full payment before production | Risky for buyer, rarely advised |
| PayPal | Full payment via PayPal invoice | Good for small test orders |
| LC at sight | Bank-guaranteed payment upon document proof | Best for large retail chains |
For accessories like hats, scarves, and belts, the most popular term is 30/70. We also allow a third-party inspection report (SGS, BV) as the checkpoint before final payment.
If you’re unsure, we can help structure your order into safe milestones, with photos, samples, or lab reports tied to payment triggers.
How do Chinese people pay when shopping online?
If you’re curious how Chinese consumers pay for their Taobao or JD orders, you’ll see just how digital their lives have become.
Chinese consumers mostly use Alipay and WeChat Pay for online shopping, which are instant, mobile-friendly, and tied to personal ID verification.
Local payment behavior insights:
| Channel | Used For | Linked To |
|---|---|---|
| Alipay | Taobao, Tmall, 1688 | Bank card, ID card |
| WeChat Pay | WeChat mini-programs, JD | Mobile wallet |
| Bank cards | Back-end processing only | Debit or credit card |
| UnionPay | Occasionally for B2C | Chinese card networks |
But these methods aren’t common or safe for overseas buyers unless:
- You use Alibaba’s Trade Assurance
- You scan a verified QR code from a business account
- The order value is very small
For B2B accessory sourcing, especially over $500, we recommend staying with formal payment rails.
Conclusion
When you’re buying accessories from a new Chinese supplier, payment security is everything. Whether it’s escrow, wire, or PayPal, the key is matching method to order size and relationship trust. At AceAccessory, we support flexible, secure options—and help our buyers grow safely from first sample to full container.
