Asset Recovery in China: Having Shareholders Guarantee the Company?
Asset Recovery in China: Having Shareholders Guarantee the Company?

Asset Recovery in China: Having Shareholders Guarantee the Company?

Asset Recovery in China: Having Shareholders Guarantee the Company?

This is a way to prevent the shareholders who actually control the company no longer from getting the company profits only while avoiding the company’s debts.

The biggest hurdle we have had when helping clients resolve trade disputes or collect debts is that the debtors have no assets available for compensation.

For many traders and distributors, although the financial flow of their bank accounts is significant, it is all their customers’ money, which will not stay in the accounts for long.

These companies also have almost no fixed assets. They may have undelivered goods from their customers that are still under their control. However, it is difficult to find these goods.

In this case, one would hope that shareholders take responsibility for their companies.

However, like the laws of most other countries, Chinese law does not request shareholders to repay the debts of their companies based on the principle of the company’s limited liability.

And of course, there are statutory exceptions. However, the exceptions are so rare that they can hardly be applicable.

Therefore, when you enter into a contract with a Chinese company, you may consider asking the company’s shareholders to guarantee the company debt and sign the pertinent documents, which, when needed, entitle you to ask the shareholders to repay debts for their company.

In fact, this is the most common practice that Chinese banks would use to protect their loans. When a Chinese company borrows from a Chinese bank, the bank will identify the shareholder who has actual control over the company and then ask him to guarantee the debt, which greatly improves the bank’s chances of acquiring repayment and compensation.

If you are dealing with a Chinese company for a relatively large amount, or you are in a dominant position, you may consider requiring the Chinese company’s shareholders to undertake guarantee liability as well.


Do you need support in cross-border trade and debt collection?
CJO Global's team can provide you with China-related cross-border trade risk management and debt collection services, including: 
(1) Trade Dispute Resolution
(2) Debt Collection
(3) Judgments and Awards Collection
(4) Bankruptcy & Restructuring
(5) Company Verification and Due Diligence
(6) Trade Contract Drafting and Review
If you need our services, or if you wish to share your story, you can contact our Client Manager: 
Susan Li (susan.li@yuanddu.com).
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