Stain

In foreign trade, 'stain' refers to discoloration, spots, oil marks, water marks, or other blemishes on or inside goods, and is one of the common quality defects. It usually appears in inspections of textiles, leather, paper, plastic products, etc., and is a frequent cause of customer complaints, claims, and returns. Usage scenarios include: contract quality clauses, inspection reports, claim letters, letter of credit discrepancies, etc. Notes: 1) The acceptance standards for stains (such as area, quantity, location) should be clearly specified in the contract to avoid subjective judgment; 2) Distinguish stains from other defects such as color difference and damage, because handling methods differ; 3) Keep evidence (photos, third-party inspection reports) for claims; 4) Check whether the letter of credit prohibits stains, otherwise it may constitute a discrepancy. Compared with 'defect', 'stain' is more specific and usually refers to surface contamination; unlike 'discoloration', stains are mostly external adhesion and may be cleaned, while discoloration may involve the material itself. Foreign trade practitioners need to confirm the customer's tolerance for stains before ordering and strengthen protection during production and packaging.