Interactive legal flowchart
Do You Need an NDA or a China NNN Agreement?
Use this decision flow before sending designs, samples, molds, specs or supplier lists to a Chinese factory, sourcing agent or trading company.
Video-style explainer
35-second NNN decision walkthrough
Scene 2
The China-side risk is bigger than secrecy.
The factory could use the design, disclose it to an affiliate, or bypass the buyer and sell directly to the customer.
Recommended route
Use a China NNN agreement
The risk is use, disclosure and circumvention in China.
If a Chinese factory, sourcing agent or trading company sees your designs, molds, samples, specs, supplier list or buyer list, a Western NDA is usually too narrow. You need Chinese-law non-use, non-disclosure and non-circumvention obligations written for enforcement in China.
Information to share
Technical or product assets
China-side recipient
Factory, agent or trading company
Transaction terms
Disclosure stage only
Counterparty verified
Chinese legal name known
Related resources
Part of the China legal knowledge base
Knowledge base
China Legal Knowledge Base
Flowcharts, free tools, legal guides and CIETAC case insights organized by legal task.
Fixed-price service
China NNN Agreement Drafting
PRC-law NNN drafting for foreign buyers sharing designs, samples, molds or supplier lists.
Fixed-price service
China Contract Review
Review payment, IP, quality, delivery, jurisdiction and enforcement risk before signing.
Legal guide
Trade Secret Damages and NNN Playbook
Recent PRC trade secret damages and practical lessons for foreign manufacturers.
Is an NDA enough before I send designs to a Chinese factory?
Often no. If the Chinese side may use the design, pass it to another factory, or bypass you, the document should include non-use, non-disclosure and non-circumvention obligations under a China-focused structure.
When do I need both an NNN and a manufacturing contract?
Use the NNN before disclosure. Once you are negotiating price, production, molds, inspection, payment or delivery, add a supply, OEM or manufacturing agreement.
Why does the Chinese legal name matter?
The document should bind the actual Chinese company receiving the information. A trade name, English name or sales contact may not identify the enforceable counterparty.