Attorneys Larry and Laney successfully secured a refund for the Brazilian buyer in negotiations with a Jinan supplier

In international trade, buyers typically do not make full payment before the seller ships the goods to protect their transactional security. However, there are instances where, even with a lower percentage of advance payment, significant transaction risks remain—sellers may attempt to force buyers to pay additional amounts at the time of delivery by threatening to withhold the goods unless the price is increased.

When sellers withhold delivery or refunds under the pretext of price increases, buyers lose their dominant position in the transaction and find themselves in a dilemma. One of our clients encountered a similar situation in the following case.

In early 2024, a Brazilian company engaged in a transaction with a supplier in Shandong Jinan, China, to purchase a batch of copper scrap. However, after the Brazilian company made the advance payment, the Jinan company "suddenly" breached the contract, demanding a price increase and threatening not to ship the goods unless the Brazilian company paid additional amounts.

Faced with this unreasonable demand, the Brazilian company firmly opposed it and requested a refund of the advance payment from the Jinan supplier. Although the supplier initially promised to refund the payment, they only returned $500 to the Brazilian company. To protect their rights, the Brazilian company sought the assistance of Attorney Larry Zhou and his team at Landing (Shenzhen) Law Office.

Upon receiving the commission, Attorney Larry Zhou and intern lawyer Laney Liu quickly analyzed the case materials, thoroughly understood the facts, and immediately conducted a background investigation of the Jinan supplier. Subsequently, Larry's legal team drafted a formal lawyer's letter demanding the supplier fulfill their refund obligation. After the letter was delivered and signed for, the team proactively communicated and negotiated with the supplier's general manager and salesperson, insisting on the agreed refund to the Brazilian company.

Through the team's active coordination and persistent efforts, the Jinan supplier eventually agreed to refund the majority of the payment, helping the Brazilian company recover most of their losses. The Brazilian company highly recognized and appreciated the diligence, professionalism, and dedicated service demonstrated by Larry's legal team in this case.