Chinese Companies Grapple with Rising Payment Delays amidst Intense Competition
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In an environment marked by frail demand and severe competition, Chinese companies are allowing customers an extended period to clear their invoices. However, these businesses are still enduring extended periods waiting for overdue payments, a situation that is increasing the pressure on corporate cash flows.
Mainland Chinese firms, on average, offer payment terms of 81 days, which is longer when compared to the 70-day average across the Asia-Pacific, according to a recent survey by Coface. Although these terms are more lenient, 86% of Chinese companies reported experiencing payment delays. This figure is marginally lower than the APAC average of 91%, but settlement of these overdue invoices in China takes about 73 days on average, five days longer than the regional average.
Worsening Payment Conditions
The state of payment conditions has deteriorated in the past year. Approximately 35% of survey respondents stated that payment delays have become more frequent, while 26% reported some improvement. Concurrently, 33% mentioned that delays had become more severe, in contrast to 27% who reported an improvement.
“Approximately 35% of survey respondents stated that payment delays have become more frequent, while 26% reported some improvement.”
Looking to the future, 40% of Chinese companies anticipate further deterioration of payment conditions in the coming 12 months, and only 20% plan to tighten the payment terms they offer customers. Coface credited this strain to a combination of factors such as trade and tariff volatility, consistent weak demand, and intense price competition in various Chinese industries.
The survey’s findings align with a broader economic perspective. At the end of June, accounts receivable at China’s industrial enterprises increased by 8.1% year on year. The average collection period lengthened from 70.9 days to 71.7 days.
Fewer Defaults but Larger Losses
Chinese companies reported fewer customer defaults than their regional counterparts, with only 16% experiencing at least one default in the past 12 months, in contrast to the APAC average of 45%. Yet, when defaults did occur, the financial impact was more significant. Defaulted receivables made up 11.2% of total accounts receivable among Chinese suppliers, compared to 10% across APAC. This effect was particularly noticeable in the wood and chemicals industries, where about 20% of receivables were written off as defaults.
Questions & Answers
Q.What are the average payment terms offered by Chinese companies?
What are the average payment terms offered by Chinese companies?
The average payment terms offered by companies in mainland China are 81 days.
Q.How does China’s rate of customer defaults compare to the regional APAC average?
How does China’s rate of customer defaults compare to the regional APAC average?
Chinese companies reported fewer customer defaults than their regional counterparts, with only 16% experiencing at least one default in the past 12 months, in contrast to the APAC average of 45%.
Q.What is the financial impact when customers default?
What is the financial impact when customers default?
When customers default, the financial impact is more significant in China. Defaulted receivables made up 11.2% of total accounts receivable among Chinese suppliers, compared to 10% across APAC. This effect was particularly noticeable in the wood and chemicals industries, where about 20% of receivables were written off as defaults.
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