Commercial · 8 min read
B2B payment methods for international sports imports
T/T wire (30/70) is the most common, L/C the safest for first-time orders, and escrow works for smaller trial orders. Match the payment instrument to the trust level and order value.
Quick answer
For a first order, use L/C at sight or 30% T/T deposit against PI + 70% against BL copy — never 100% up-front. For repeat orders with a trusted factory, T/T 30/70 is normal. Never send funds to a personal account or to a bank whose name doesn't match the company's registered legal entity.
Payment instruments explained
| Instrument | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| T/T (Telegraphic Transfer) | Wire; 30% deposit / 70% balance is standard | Repeat orders, trusted factories |
| L/C at sight | Bank guarantees payment on doc presentation | First orders, larger values |
| L/C usance (deferred) | Payment 30/60/90 days after doc presentation | Buyers wanting credit terms |
| D/P (Documents against Payment) | Docs released on payment | Mid-trust relationships |
| D/A (Documents against Acceptance) | Docs released on acceptance of draft | Established relationships only |
| Escrow / trade platform | Third party holds funds until delivery | Trial orders, low value |
Deposit-and-balance patterns
- •30/70 — deposit against PI, balance against BL copy or PSI pass. Most common.
- •50/50 — deposit and balance before shipment. Used for lower-value or specialised runs.
- •0/100 L/C at sight — safest but requires banking capacity on both sides.
- •20/80 — buyer with strong track record, factory absorbs more risk.
Payment safety checklist
- •Beneficiary bank name matches the factory's registered company — never a personal account.
- •SWIFT details confirmed via a signed letter, not just email.
- •Sanity-check bank details against previous invoices — invoice-fraud attacks intercept email threads.
- •Currency stated on PI; FX conversion cost clarified for cross-currency payments.
- •Retention clause for major defects — negotiated in the manufacturing agreement.
Frequently asked questions
- Is 100% up-front payment ever acceptable?
- Only for very small sample orders. For bulk, never. Balance against BL copy or PSI pass protects both sides.
- Do factories accept credit cards?
- Rarely for bulk — merchant fees are prohibitive. Some accept cards for samples only. Escrow or bank-backed instruments are the norm at scale.
- How do I protect against invoice fraud?
- Confirm bank details out-of-band (voice call, video call). If a factory's banking suddenly changes, treat it as suspicious until verified independently.
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Last updated 01 Jul 2026. Findup Sports · Sialkot, Pakistan · Serving international B2B buyers worldwide.