In international trade, the signing of a contract is the cornerstone of establishing a trade relationship. It is not just a simple agreement on the goods transaction; it more profoundly reflects the rights and obligations of both the buyer and the seller. When there is a breach of contract in trade, the contract and its additional clauses will become the primary basis for handling disputes.

1) Background: In early 2022, there was a dispute over the payment for goods between export enterprise A and the buyer. The buyer believed that the product weight per unit was inconsistent with the contract and demanded a 10% deduction from the payment.
2) Problem: The buyer provided incorrect product weight per unit information when placing the order. Although Company A corrected it via email and obtained the buyers confirmation, the contract between the two parties was not modified.
3) Dispute: Although Company A had fulfilled its obligations as a seller and requested full payment, the buyer invoked the punitive provisions in the additional clauses of the contract, claiming that it had the right to deduct 25% of the payment due to Company As late shipment.

1) Carefully review the contract: When signing a contract, all clauses should be carefully checked, especially the standard contract provided by the buyer. Any additional clauses should be reviewed item by item, and countermeasures should be formulated.
2) Guard against unfavorable clauses: For unfavorable or difficult-to-meet terms, export enterprises should raise objections and negotiate firmly. Meanwhile, enterprises can request to add favorable clauses such as retention of title clause or quality objection period.
3) Strictly execute according to the contract: Once the contract is signed, export enterprises should operate strictly in accordance with the contract requirements. If there are any discrepancies, the contract must be modified in writing and relevant evidence should be preserved.