Payment Terms for Container House Orders
Updated 2026-11-01 · JIUJIAN GLOBAL technical team
First orders are commonly 30 percent deposit by T/T and 70 percent against a copy of the bill of lading, or an irrevocable L/C at sight for larger values. Tie each payment to a document you can verify: deposit to the signed proforma invoice and drawings, balance to the bill of lading and the loading photos. Never pay a balance before the goods are on board unless the supplier's references justify it.
Payment structure is where buyers lose money on otherwise sound orders. The product is not the risk; the risk is paying for something you have not seen and cannot inspect. The structure below is the common market practice for container house exports and the reasoning behind each milestone.
Common structures
| Structure | Typical split | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| T/T deposit + balance | 30 / 70 against B/L copy | Most first orders |
| T/T staged | 30 / 40 after production photos / 30 before shipment | Large or custom projects |
| L/C at sight | 100 percent documentary credit | High value, new supplier |
| Repeat order terms | 20 / 80 or net 15 after B/L | Established relationship |
Why the deposit is 30 percent
The deposit covers material purchasing: steel coil, panels, doors, windows and the electrical components that have to be ordered before production starts. A supplier asking for 50 percent or more on a first order is transferring working capital cost to you. A supplier accepting 10 percent is often a trader with no material commitment, which is a different risk.
What to attach to each milestone
- Deposit: signed proforma invoice, shop drawing stamped and dated, production schedule.
- Production stage: dated photos of the frame, panels and fitted interior with the module serial visible.
- Balance: bill of lading copy, packing list, loading photos, inspection report.
- After arrival: retention of 5-10 percent for 30-60 days if the contract allows, released after commissioning.
L/C practicalities
A documentary credit protects both sides only if the documents are written precisely. Name the exact documents, the acceptable wording, the latest shipment date and the tolerance on quantity. Avoid clauses the supplier cannot control, such as an inspection certificate issued by a named third party without a fixed appointment window. Confirm the credit's cost and the confirming bank before you assume it is cheaper than T/T.
Red flags
Bank account details that change after the contract is signed, a beneficiary name different from the contracting company, requests to pay an individual, or pressure to increase the deposit for a "production slot". Any of these should stop the payment until the contracting entity confirms in writing through a second channel.
For the commercial side of the order, see our contract checklist and lead time guide. Product options are on the products page.
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