I would like to describe the moment when my heart sunk.

I was having a cup of coffee getting cold at my kitchen table, and I was browsing through my monthly supplier invoices. It seemed all was fine until I reached line item number seven.

There it was. “Jipinfeiche.” And just sitting there under shipping money. No explanation. No footnote. Just that word.

My first thought? Did I just get scammed?

My second thought? Worthless! What the devil am I going to pay?
Going through this because you have also seen it on your invoice, I can assure you, I know how you feel. Take a breath. I will tell you what I discovered, so you will not have to go through the same panic that I did.

What Actually Happened to Me

I run a small home goods store. Nothing fancy. The supplier I place orders with is based in Guangzhou and we have been dealing with him over the past eight months. They’re reliable. The goods are normally delivered on time. We have a good rhythm.

This time however, Jipinfeiche appeared in the shipping section with a charge of $22 on this invoice.

I did what the majority of people are likely to do. I stared at it for way too long. I Googled it. Nothing clear came up. I began to prepare psychologically to fight with my supplier.

Then I did an easy thing to do, I sent a message to my contact and I simply asked.
In response, she responded in approximately four hours.

It happens that Jipinfeiche, they simply referred to as a faster shipping lane within themselves. I had requested a rush delivery on the order as one of the customers required something urgently. I had simply not been aware that they would give it a name I had never heard.

That’s it. No scam. No hidden fee. Simply a language barrier and a system of naming inside.

The Secret of Chinese Invoices that no one tells you.

Through the hours of time I wasted looking at invoices in Chinese suppliers, the following are things that I have learned:

They have in-house codes to all things.

It’s not just you. It’s not just this word. A majority of the suppliers have shorthand terms on the products, mode of shipping, location of the warehouses, and internal departments.

They are not attempting to make you confused. They simply never consider explaining it since to them, it is self-evident.

I have witnessed invoices having codes such as:

• In the case of a certain shipping company, KJ-02.
• “F09” for a particular warehouse
• English words at random, which do not exactly mean what they mean.

This is the case with “Jipinfeiche” more than not.

The Place I Find this Word most.

I have noticed a trend after consulting on some sourcing groups I join. When invoice is received people will see Jipinfeiche the following places:

In the Shipping Section

This is where I saw it. Typically represents a particular level of shipping, typically a faster one. Other suppliers refer to this term to air freight as opposed to sea freight, or expedited handling.

And, in case it is here, be sure to check what shipping method you paid. In the event that you paid standard and it says Jipinfeiche, simply enquire. They will even upgrade you to bigger orders at times. Sometimes it’s a mistake.

In the Product Description

I have witnessed this on few occasions. Usually refers to the product belonging to a particular collection or product line. Consider it as a brand name of which the supplier uses internally.

One of my friends had Jipinfeiche come up on his bill of a consignment of wireless earbuds.

Precisely what he ordered was the earbuds. That was nothing but a term that the supplier used to cluster that specific model.

As a Separate Fee

It is the one that really concerns me. In case it is an independent line item and it has the dollar amount attached to it, question. Every time. No exceptions.

I have heard that it was a verifiable handling fee. I have also heard of cases where the supplier just lowered the fee when he was asked about it. You don’t know until you ask.

Within the Notes or Reference Field.

Almost everything is nothing with this one. It’s their internal tracking. Probably some batch number, probably some warehouse code. It does not have any influence on your price or the price you get.

What I Now Do When I Behold Some Thing I Not Recogniseth.

I don’t panic anymore. I have a system now. You can steal it.

The first step involves the screenshot and circling of a spot.

I make a photo or screenshot of the invoice. I circle the term in red. I do this even before I consider sending email to any person. The visual quality makes the conversation quicker.

Step Two: Review What I Did Order.

I pull up my original order. I look at:

• The product names and photos
• The mode of shipping that I have chosen.
• The total price I agreed to

Should all of those coincide with the invoice except that single inexplicable word, I am already aware that I am likely to be okay.

Step Three: Convey a Short Message.

I don’t write a long email. I do not suspect anybody of anything. I just ask.
And the following is what I wrote on seeing “Jipinfeiche” on my invoice:

By the way, one more question on invoice #1024. I view Jipinfeiche as a shipping under $22. What is this for? Wanna be sure of how it works before I pay. Thanks!

Short. Friendly. To the point.

The explanation was received in a couple of hours by my supplier. No awkwardness. No tension.

Step Four: Save the Response

When they describe it, I archive that e-mail. Should this ever again arise, whether it be with customs, or with my accountant, or whoever, I have evidence of the amount of the charge.

When I Actually Worry

I have learned that this is a real issue in few instances only.

They are not able to describe the fee clearly. When they vaguely answer, when they mumble back an answer such as handling fee when you inquire about what it is, that is a yellow flag.

When it continues to appear in each invoice. Two years ago one of my friends paid a Jipinfeische fee of $3.50 per invoice. The supplier removed it when she later on asked. The final six months were refunded to her.

When they get defensive. There will be a credible supplier to make things clear. When they snatch at you or decline to answer, that gives you an idea of the kind of person you are dealing with.

One Story That Stuck With Me

The other small business owner was a local meetup that I was conversing with a few months ago. She operates a vintage clothing store and imports in China rather frequently. Jipinfeiche appeared on an invoice and was disregarded by her. Just paid it. Figured it was nothing.

Six months after, she noticed that it had appeared on each and every invoice. Every month. Same amount. No explanation.

She eventually enquired of her supplier. The response? Oh, that was an experimental fee of our old system. It should have been removed. Let me refund you.”

She got back almost $500.

She replied, I did not think of asking at all since it was a very little amount. I just assumed it was legit.”

That’s the lesson, honestly. It is the little fees that will accumulate without your realization.

What I Would Tell You if we were having Coffee.

When you look at the invoice you are looking at now, and the words Jipinfeiche are written on it, you need to know my opinion:

First of all, see where it is listed. When it is in the shipping department or even the notes, then you have nearly nothing to worry about. In case it is a special charge, simply send a text and inquire.

Second, don’t assume the worst. Majority of the suppliers are not trying to fool you. They simply apply terminologies that they understand to make sense and never consider explaining them to us.

Third, keep a record. Set it aside and explain to them the email. You will be glad you wrote it later in case you need to refer to it.

And last but not least, do not worry too much. I lost an entire afternoon having a panic attack over what required four hours of email time before it could be solved. It wasn’t worth the stress.

A Few Quick Scenarios

Final Thought

This entire experience taught me something, in fact. I am much less anxious about strange terminologies in invoices. I just ask. Nine times in every ten it is nothing. And that once it is something, I snatch it before I pay.

And since you saw Jipinfeiche on your bill and it scared you, I understand. I’ve been there. Just send the message. You are likely to discover that it is nothing. And when it is something you will take it early.
Either, it is better to know than to guess.

Is this what you have on your invoices? I’m genuinely curious. Send me a comment or an email, I will read every one of your comments and will be pleased to assist you in determining what you are reading.

By the way, let me know whether you would like me to change the tone, further elaborate on your own experience or make a few adjustments. I tried to make this sound more like somebody telling a story rather than the artificial intelligence filling in a template.