13,000 Pairs of Sneakers Arrived Unsellable. The “You Inspected Them” Defense Failed in Court — $120K Awarded

Background

In April 2024, a British company purchased two models of athletic shoes from a Ningbo-based Chinese company. The order stipulated that the white materials must not yellow and must comply with the UK Consumer Product Safety Act. The Ningbo company shipped 13,000 pairs that October. Prior to shipment, the British company’s on-site quality inspector confirmed some surface defects but deemed the goods generally acceptable. Upon arrival in the UK, the goods were found to have quality issues rendering them unsellable.

Dispute

The British company negotiated repeatedly with the Chinese company, which maintained that since the goods had been inspected and accepted prior to shipment, it refused to accept returns or provide compensation.

Outcome

After multiple unsuccessful rounds, the British company engaged SuitWin Recovery. Following proceedings at the Ningbo Maritime Court, the court ruled that the Ningbo company was to compensate the British company $120,000 for the goods.