Terms of Service

Services described

CN Ally provides China sourcing agent services, including product sourcing and factory matching, supplier verification and factory audits, quality control inspections, product development and private label coordination, and freight and logistics coordination.

Sourcing services are provided on a best-efforts basis: we identify, vet, and negotiate with suppliers on your behalf, but manufacturing is performed by independent third-party factories, not by CN Ally.

Service descriptions on this website are general summaries. The specific scope, deliverables, timeline, and fees for your project are defined in your written quote or service agreement, which takes precedence over website copy.

Quotes and fees

Quotes are valid for 30 days from the date issued unless stated otherwise. Factory pricing, freight rates, and exchange rates may change after that period, in which case we will issue a revised quote before proceeding.

Our service fees — including the sourcing service fee (typically 3–8% of order value), inspection and audit fees, and logistics service margin — are agreed in writing before work begins. Factory product costs and third-party freight charges are passed through at cost unless otherwise stated.

Unless agreed otherwise, inspection and audit services are prepaid, sourcing fees are due when you place your order with the factory, and logistics fees are invoiced when your shipment departs.

Client responsibilities

You are responsible for providing accurate product specifications, target pricing, quantities, and deadlines, and for approving samples before mass production begins. Production based on approved samples is considered accepted as conforming unless defects are identified through inspection.

You are responsible for ensuring your products comply with the laws, safety standards, and certification requirements of your destination market (for example, CE, FCC, CPSIA, or FDA requirements where applicable). We can help coordinate testing, but legal compliance of the finished product remains your responsibility.

You agree not to circumvent our supplier relationships in bad faith during an active engagement — for example, by using our introductions and audit reports to contract directly with a factory we sourced for you while our service fee remains unpaid.

Inspections and quality

Quality control inspections are performed according to the agreed standard (typically AQL sampling) and reflect the condition of goods at the time and place of inspection. An inspection report is a professional assessment, not a guarantee that every unit in a shipment is defect-free.

Where we hold a balance payment pending inspection results, we will use reasonable efforts to negotiate rework, replacement, or compensation with the supplier for documented defects. We cannot guarantee a supplier's cooperation or financial solvency.

Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, CN Ally's total liability for any claim arising from our services is limited to the service fees you paid us for the specific engagement giving rise to the claim.

We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including lost profits, lost sales, or reputational harm, even if we were advised of the possibility of such damages.

Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited under applicable law, including liability for fraud or willful misconduct.

Confidentiality

We treat your product designs, supplier lists, pricing, and business information as confidential and do not disclose them to third parties except as necessary to perform our services (for example, sharing specifications with a factory you have approved).

We ask that you similarly keep confidential any proprietary methodology, supplier network details, or internal pricing structures we share with you in the course of an engagement.

Termination

Either party may terminate an active engagement with written notice. Fees for work already performed or committed (for example, a booked inspection or issued purchase order) remain payable.

Upon termination, we will deliver any reports, samples, or documentation completed up to the termination date and assist with an orderly handover of supplier relationships where reasonable.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of Hong Kong SAR, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any disputes will first be addressed through good-faith negotiation, and if unresolved, submitted to arbitration in Hong Kong under HKIAC rules.

If any provision of these terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full effect.

Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. The 'Last updated' date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent version. For active engagements, the terms in effect at the time your quote or service agreement was signed apply.

Contact

Questions about these terms? Contact us at hi@cnally.com and we will respond within 5 business days.