Frequently asked questions
Everything importers ask about Sinosure-backed 90–120 day payment terms. Can't find yours? Use the assistant in the corner.
Sinosure basics
What is Sinosure?
Sinosure (China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation) is China's state-owned export credit agency, founded in 2001. It insures Chinese exporters against the risk that a foreign buyer fails to pay, which lets those exporters sell on open-account terms — typically 90 to 120 days after shipment — instead of demanding deposits or letters of credit.
Learn more →How does Sinosure help importers if it insures the exporter?
The policy belongs to the Chinese exporter, but the credit limit is set on you, the buyer. Once Sinosure approves a limit on your company, your supplier is insured if you do not pay, so it can safely ship first and let you pay 90–120 days later. You get supplier credit without a bank loan, collateral or a letter of credit.
Learn more →Is Sinosure-backed trade credit a loan?
No. Nobody lends you money. Your supplier extends payment terms (open account) and Sinosure insures that receivable. It does not appear as bank debt, and no collateral or personal guarantee is pledged to a lender — although you must pay each invoice in full on its due date.
Learn more →How is Sinosure credit different from a letter of credit?
A letter of credit (L/C) ties up your bank credit line and cash margin before shipment and pays the supplier on presentation of documents. Sinosure-backed open account uses no bank line: the supplier ships on your approved credit limit and you pay on the due date, typically 90–120 days after shipment. It is usually cheaper and uses less of your working capital.
Learn more →What is a Sinosure credit limit?
A Sinosure credit limit is the maximum amount of unpaid invoices that a Chinese exporter's policy will cover on one buyer at any time. If your limit is USD 500,000, the supplier can have up to USD 500,000 of your invoices outstanding on insured terms; as you pay, the limit revolves and frees up again.
Learn more →Eligibility
Who qualifies for Sinosure-backed payment terms?
Registered companies with verifiable operations, financial statements and a trading history usually qualify — importers, wholesalers, distributors, brands and e-commerce sellers (Amazon, Walmart, Shopify). Stronger profiles have at least 1 year of operations, positive cash flow, no defaults or liens, and a Chinese supplier that is already Sinosure-insured. Check your profile in 2 minutes with our free eligibility check.
Learn more →Can a new importer or startup get Sinosure terms?
Sometimes, with a smaller starting limit. New importers without trade history are usually offered a modest first limit (often in the low six figures) that grows as they build a record of on-time payments. Audited or accountant-prepared financials and a supplier willing to support the application improve the odds considerably.
Learn more →Which countries can Sinosure-backed buyers be located in?
Sinosure covers buyers in most countries, but limits and pricing depend on Sinosure's country risk rating, and sanctioned or very high-risk jurisdictions are excluded. North America, Western Europe, the Gulf states and much of Asia and Latin America are commonly covered. Tell us your country in the eligibility check and we will confirm.
Learn more →Do I need a company or office in China?
No. Your company stays where it is. What matters is that your Chinese supplier holds a Sinosure export credit insurance policy (or is willing to add you to one). You do not need a Chinese entity, bank account or physical presence in China.
What products qualify?
Most consumer and industrial goods exported from China qualify — electronics, machinery, furniture, textiles, home goods, auto parts, solar and building materials among them. Restricted, sanctioned or dual-use items are excluded. We confirm product eligibility during onboarding.
What if my supplier does not have a Sinosure policy?
Many established Chinese exporters already hold a short-term export credit insurance policy with Sinosure, and many more can obtain one. We approach your supplier, explain the process and coordinate the paperwork. If your current supplier cannot participate, we can introduce you to exporters in the same category that already do.
Learn more →Process & timeline
What is a Sinosure Buyer ID (buyer code)?
A Buyer ID or buyer code is the identifier Sinosure assigns to your company in its buyer database. Your supplier needs it to request a credit limit on you. It is created after your company's identity and registration details are verified, and the same code is used by every Sinosure-insured exporter you trade with.
Learn more →How long does it take to get a Sinosure credit limit?
Typically 7–21 days once your documents are complete and your supplier submits the request, and longer for large limits or complex group structures. The biggest delays are missing financials and slow supplier responses — both of which we manage for you.
Learn more →What documents are needed for a Sinosure credit limit application?
Usually: certificate of incorporation or business registration, the last 2 years of financial statements (audited if available), a recent bank statement or bank reference, company profile with ownership and directors, and trade references or past purchase orders with Chinese suppliers. Exact requirements vary by limit size and country.
Learn more →What are the steps to get Sinosure-backed payment terms?
1) Eligibility check and document collection. 2) Your buyer profile is verified and a buyer code is created. 3) Your insured supplier submits a credit-limit request on your company. 4) Sinosure runs its credit assessment and approves a limit. 5) You and the supplier sign open-account terms (e.g. net 90) and begin shipping. Hespor coordinates every step.
Learn more →Can I use my Sinosure credit limit with a different supplier?
A limit is approved for a specific insured exporter, not transferred automatically. However, once Sinosure has assessed your company, a new supplier can request a limit on the same buyer code, and approval is usually faster because your file already exists. We coordinate these additional-supplier applications.
Learn more →How do I increase my Sinosure credit limit?
Pay every insured invoice on time, grow your purchase volume with the supplier, and submit updated (preferably audited) financials. After 6–12 months of clean payment history, your supplier can request an increase. Requests backed by recent financials and actual order volume are approved far more often.
Learn more →Why do Sinosure credit limit applications get rejected or reduced?
The most common reasons are thin or unaudited financials, negative equity or losses, a very young company, adverse credit records (defaults, liens, litigation), a high-risk buyer country, a requested limit far above actual purchase volume, and incomplete or inconsistent documents. Most of these can be fixed before re-applying.
Learn more →Costs
Do I still need to pay a deposit?
Sometimes a 0–30% deposit remains, with the insured balance paid on 90–120 day terms. Many suppliers move to 100% open account once your limit is approved and you have paid a few invoices on time. The exact split is negotiated per supplier.
Risk & buyer records
What happens if I pay a Sinosure-insured invoice late?
If an insured invoice stays unpaid past its due date, the exporter must report it to Sinosure. Sinosure may pay the exporter's claim and then pursue you for the debt through its international recovery network. A reported loss is recorded against your buyer code and can reduce or cancel limits with every Sinosure-insured supplier.
Learn more →What is the "Sinosure blacklist" and can it be removed?
There is no public blacklist, but Sinosure does keep negative records on buyers after unpaid claims or serious payment disputes, which can block new limits with all insured Chinese exporters. No consultant can delete a record. What can be done is resolving the underlying debt or dispute, documenting it properly, and then re-applying so the buyer is re-assessed.
Learn more →What if there is a quality dispute with my supplier?
Raise the dispute in writing, promptly, with evidence (inspection reports, photos, correspondence) before the invoice due date. A documented commercial dispute is treated differently from simple non-payment. Paying undisputed amounts on time protects your buyer record while the dispute is resolved.
Learn more →Working with Hespor
How does Hespor Finance charge for its services?
Fees depend on the scope — buyer onboarding only, supplier negotiation, or full credit-limit coordination across several suppliers. We quote a fixed scope after the free eligibility review, before any work starts, so there are no surprises.
Learn more →Is Hespor Finance part of Sinosure?
No. Hespor Finance is an independent consultancy. We prepare and coordinate your application with your supplier and represent your interests as the buyer; Sinosure and the insured exporter make every credit decision.
Learn more →Why use an intermediary instead of applying directly?
Importers cannot apply to Sinosure themselves — the insured exporter submits the request. An experienced intermediary prepares a complete buyer file, persuades and coordinates the supplier, anticipates underwriting objections and keeps following up with the supplier, which typically means faster decisions and higher approved limits.
Learn more →How can I check the status of my application?
Existing clients can request an update through the status check page; our team replies within 1–3 business days with the latest on your Buyer ID, supplier enrollment and credit limit.
Learn more →Still have questions?
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