Payment Terms
Last Updated: June 2026 Effective Date: June 1, 2026
This page outlines the payment terms and conditions that apply to all OEM/ODM skincare manufacturing orders placed with Dongguan Flavor Sources Technology Co., Ltd. (“Flavor Sources”, “we”, “us”). These terms apply to sample orders, bulk production orders, and all B2B transactions with our international clients.
All orders are governed by these Payment Terms together with our Terms of Service. By confirming a Purchase Order (PO) with Flavor Sources, you agree to the payment terms described on this page.
For payment-related enquiries, contact: sales@flavorsources.com or WhatsApp +86 130 4684 2353
1. Order Confirmation & Payment Trigger
No production order is scheduled or commenced until the following conditions are met:
- A signed or written Purchase Order (PO) or order confirmation is received from the client
- The Proforma Invoice (PI) has been issued by Flavor Sources and accepted by the client
- The deposit payment has been received and cleared in our bank account
- Formula and artwork approvals are confirmed in writing (for bulk orders)
Production lead time begins on the first working day after all four conditions above are satisfied. Partial payment or verbal confirmation does not constitute a binding order.
2. Standard Payment Structure
2.1 Sample Orders
| Payment Item | Amount | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Sample production fee | 100% in advance | Before production begins |
| Sample shipping cost | 100% in advance | At time of sample confirmation |
Sample fees are non-refundable once production has commenced. Sample costs are credited toward your first bulk order of 500+ pieces per SKU. See our Sample Order Policy for full details.
2.2 Bulk Production Orders — Standard Terms
| Payment Stage | Percentage | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | 30% of total invoice value | Upon PO confirmation, before production begins |
| Balance | 70% of total invoice value | Before shipment — after pre-shipment inspection passed |
This is our standard payment structure for new clients and most international orders. Production begins after deposit is received. Shipment is released only after the balance payment is confirmed.
2.3 Bulk Production Orders — Alternative Structures
Alternative payment structures may be available depending on order value, client history, and destination country:
| Payment Structure | Deposit | Balance | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 30% | 70% before shipment | All new clients |
| Mid-production | 50% | 50% after production inspection | Orders above USD 20,000, verified clients |
| Deferred balance | 30% | 70% within 15 days of B/L date | Long-term clients, subject to credit approval |
| Full advance | 100% | — | Available on request; may qualify for a pricing discount |
| Letter of Credit | As per L/C terms | — | Orders above USD 50,000; subject to L/C review |
All alternative payment arrangements must be agreed in writing on the Proforma Invoice before order confirmation. Verbal agreements on payment terms are not binding.
3. Accepted Payment Methods
3.1 T/T — Telegraphic Transfer (Bank Wire)
T/T bank transfer is our primary and preferred payment method for all international transactions. It is the most efficient, lowest-cost method for B2B cross-border payments.
How it works:
- We issue a Proforma Invoice with our official bank details
- You instruct your bank to transfer the payment to our account
- Funds typically arrive within 1–5 business days depending on your bank and country
- Please send us your bank transfer receipt (TT copy) immediately after payment so we can confirm and begin production without delay
Our bank information is provided only on our official Proforma Invoice and via email from sales@flavorsources.com. Never transfer funds based on bank details received from unverified sources or third parties.
3.2 L/C — Letter of Credit
Letters of Credit are accepted for orders of USD 50,000 or above.
L/C requirements:
- Irrevocable L/C at sight, issued by a reputable international bank
- L/C terms must be reviewed and approved by Flavor Sources before acceptance
- All L/C charges outside China are for the buyer’s account
- L/C must be received and confirmed by our bank before production is scheduled
- Please contact us before applying for an L/C so we can confirm our bank’s requirements
3.3 PayPal
PayPal is accepted for sample orders and small transactions up to USD 3,000 only.
PayPal is not available for bulk production orders due to currency conversion costs and payment dispute risks. A PayPal fee surcharge of 4.5% applies to all PayPal transactions.
3.4 Trade Assurance (Alibaba)
If you source through our Alibaba store, Alibaba Trade Assurance is available as a payment method.
Trade Assurance provides an additional layer of buyer protection and is accepted for both sample and bulk orders placed through the Alibaba platform.
3.5 Other Payment Methods
| Method | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SWIFT / Wire Transfer | ✅ All orders | Same as T/T — preferred method |
| Western Union | ✅ Small orders only (under USD 5,000) | Contact us for details |
| Wise (formerly TransferWise) | ✅ Available | Good for small-medium orders; reduced transfer fees |
| SEPA Transfer (Europe) | ✅ EUR payments | Available for European clients paying in EUR |
| Cryptocurrency | ❌ Not accepted | We do not accept cryptocurrency payments |
| Credit / Debit Card | ❌ Not accepted for bulk | Stripe available for samples only via our online form |
4. Invoice & Currency
4.1 Invoicing Currency
All Flavor Sources Proforma Invoices and Commercial Invoices are issued in USD (United States Dollars) by default.
Alternative invoicing currencies available on request:
| Currency | Availability |
|---|---|
| USD — US Dollar | ✅ Default |
| EUR — Euro | ✅ Available |
| GBP — British Pound | ✅ Available |
| CNY — Chinese Yuan (RMB) | ✅ Available for China-based clients |
| AED — UAE Dirham | ✅ Available for Middle East clients |
| SGD — Singapore Dollar | ✅ Available |
| Other currencies | Contact us |
Note: Currency exchange risk is borne by the buyer. Invoice amounts are fixed in the agreed currency at time of PI issuance.
We do not adjust invoiced amounts due to exchange rate fluctuations after invoice confirmation.
4.2 Proforma Invoice (PI) Validity
All Proforma Invoices are valid for 30 calendar days from the date of issue.
If an order is not confirmed with deposit payment within 30 days, prices may be subject to revision due to raw material cost fluctuations.
4.3 VAT & Tax
Flavor Sources is a Chinese registered company.
Our invoices do not include VAT applicable in your country. Import VAT, duties, and any destination-country taxes are entirely the buyer’s responsibility.
Please consult your local tax advisor or customs broker for import tax obligations in your country.
5. Bank Transfer Instructions & Security
5.1 Our Official Bank Details
Our bank details are included on every Proforma Invoice issued by Flavor Sources. You will also receive bank details via email from sales@flavorsources.com only.
Important: Our bank account details do not change from order to order. If you ever receive an email claiming our bank details have changed — even from an email address that appears to be from Flavor Sources — do not transfer funds until you have verified the change by calling us directly at +86 130 4684 2353. Business email compromise (BEC) fraud is common in international trade.
5.2 Payment Confirmation
After making a bank transfer, please:
- Send us a copy of your bank transfer receipt (TT copy) via email to sales@flavorsources.com
- Include your company name, PO number, and invoice number in the email
- We will confirm receipt of funds within 1–2 business days
Sending your TT copy allows us to track incoming payments and start production without waiting for the funds to fully clear, which can accelerate your production timeline by 1–3 days.
5.3 Bank Charges
International bank transfer fees vary by bank and country. We recommend using the “OUR” (all charges paid by sender) option when making international bank transfers to ensure we receive the exact invoiced amount. Shortfalls due to bank charges may delay production confirmation.
6. Late Payment & Overdue Balances
6.1 Balance Payment Before Shipment
The balance payment (typically 70% of the invoice) must be received and cleared before goods are released for shipment.
Flavor Sources will not arrange freight booking or release shipping documents until the balance is confirmed.
If balance payment is not received within 30 calendar days after the production is complete and pre-shipment inspection is passed, Flavor Sources reserves the right to:
- Charge a storage fee of USD 0.05 per carton per day after the 30-day grace period
- Re-schedule production priority for future orders
- Require 100% advance payment for future orders from that client
6.2 Late Payment Interest
For any overdue balance payment, Flavor Sources reserves the right to apply a late payment interest charge of 1.5% per month (18% per annum) on the outstanding amount, calculated from the due date.
6.3 Order Cancellation & Deposit Forfeiture
If a client cancels an order after production has commenced, the deposit is non-refundable.
If materials have been ordered and partially produced, additional costs beyond the deposit may be invoiced. See our Return & Refund Policy for the full cancellation policy.
7. Payment for Repeat & Long-Term Clients
Flavor Sources values long-term B2B relationships. Clients with a proven payment history may be eligible for:
| Benefit | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Deferred balance payment (30 days from B/L) | 3+ completed orders with no late payments |
| Reduced deposit (20%) | 5+ completed orders, annual spend above USD 30,000 |
| Net 30 payment terms | Subject to credit application and approval |
| Priority production scheduling | Annual spend above USD 50,000 |
| Dedicated account manager | Annual spend above USD 20,000 |
To enquire about extended payment terms or credit facilities, contact our sales team or apply to become a distributor.
8. Distributor & Large Volume Clients
Approved distributors and high-volume clients may qualify for customized payment arrangements, including:
- Net 30 or Net 60 payment terms on confirmed orders
- Standing credit lines for repeat purchase orders
- Consolidated invoicing across multiple SKUs or orders
Distributor payment terms are governed by the individual Distributor Agreement signed between Flavor Sources and the distributor.
To apply for distributor status, visit our Apply as a Distributor page.
9. Receipts, Invoices & Accounting Documents
Flavor Sources provides the following documents for every transaction:
| Document | Provided When |
|---|---|
| Proforma Invoice (PI) | Before order confirmation — for payment and customs reference |
| Commercial Invoice | With every shipment — for customs clearance |
| Packing List | With every shipment |
| Certificate of Origin | With every bulk shipment |
| Certificate of Analysis (COA) | With every bulk shipment |
| Payment receipt / acknowledgment | Upon request, within 2 business days of payment confirmation |
If you require additional documentation for your accounting, tax, or customs purposes, please request this at the time of order confirmation.
10. Frequently Asked Questions — Payment Terms
Q: What payment method does Flavor Sources accept?
Our primary payment method is T/T bank wire transfer (SWIFT).
We also accept L/C for orders above USD 50,000, Alibaba Trade Assurance,
PayPal for samples only, and Wise transfers. We do not accept cryptocurrency.
Q: How much deposit do I need to pay to start production?
Standard deposit is 30% of the total invoice value. The remaining 70% balance is due before shipment.
For first-time clients, 100% advance payment may be required for orders below USD 3,000.
Q: When do I pay the balance?
The balance (70%) is due after we notify you that production is complete and the pre-shipment quality inspection has passed — before we arrange shipping.
You will receive a pre-shipment inspection report and photos before the balance invoice is issued.
Q: Can I pay in my local currency?
Most invoices are in USD. EUR, GBP, AED, and CNY invoicing is also available.
Other currencies may be accommodated — contact us to discuss. Note that currency exchange risk is borne by the buyer.
Q: Is it safe to pay by bank transfer to a Chinese company?
Bank wire transfer (T/T) is the standard payment method for international B2B trade with Chinese manufacturers.
To protect yourself: only use bank details from our official Proforma Invoice, verify any changes to bank details by phone,
and consider using Alibaba Trade Assurance for additional buyer protection. We are a verified supplier with 20+ years of operation.
Q: What happens if I pay late?
Production is only scheduled after deposit is received. Shipment is only released after balance is received.
If your balance payment is significantly delayed after goods are ready, storage fees may apply after 30 days.
Repeated late payment may affect your credit terms for future orders.
Q: Can I get Net 30 payment terms?
Net 30 terms are available for established clients with 3+ completed orders and a strong payment history.
Contact your account manager to discuss eligibility and the application process.
Q: Do you accept Alibaba Trade Assurance?
Yes. If you find us through Alibaba or place orders via our Alibaba store,
Trade Assurance is fully available and provides additional buyer protection for both sample and bulk orders.
Q: Will I receive an official invoice for my records?
Yes. We issue a Proforma Invoice before every order and a Commercial Invoice with every shipment.
Both are on official company letterhead with our full legal company name, address, and tax identification.
Additional accounting documents are available on request.
Q: What currency are your prices quoted in?
All prices are quoted in USD by default.
Your Proforma Invoice will specify the exact currency. We can quote in EUR, GBP, or AED on request.
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Related Policies:
- Shipping Policy — lead times, Incoterms, export documentation
- Return & Refund Policy — quality claims, after-sales, compensation
- Sample Order Policy — sample costs, revision process, credit toward bulk orders
- Terms of Service — full terms governing all orders
Flavor Sources — Dongguan Flavor Sources Technology Co., Ltd.
Building 6, No.19 Jinfengchang Rd, Houjie Town, Dongguan, Guangdong 523947, China
This page was last reviewed and updated in June 2026.