Can multinational companies use DocuSign for cross-border contracts involving China?

In recent years, the legal and digital ecosystem for contract execution in China has undergone significant transformations. For multinational corporations (MNCs), ensuring compliance with local data security standards and regulatory frameworks is no longer optional—particularly when executing cross-border contracts involving Chinese entities. As electronic signature platforms become an increasingly indispensable tool in global workflows, companies are left asking whether solutions like DocuSign can meet the stringent requirements of the Chinese regulatory landscape.

Understanding the Chinese Electronic Signature Landscape

China’s electronic signature environment is governed by the Electronic Signature Law of the People’s Republic of China, last amended in 2019. For businesses operating across borders, adherence to this law, along with broader cybersecurity policies such as the Cybersecurity Law (2017), Data Security Law (2021), and Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL, 2021), is paramount. These laws specifically regulate the transfer of data across borders, mandate data localization under certain circumstances, and demand rigorous control over personal and corporate information.

In this regulatory context, any digital signing solution used to facilitate cross-border transactions must not only support digital signature formats that are legally binding in China but also comply with domestic requirements concerning data residency and processing.

Adobe Sign’s Exit from the Chinese Mainland Market

A key turning point in the Chinese electronic signature industry came when Adobe announced the strategic withdrawal of its Adobe Sign cloud services from the mainland Chinese market. This pivot was heavily influenced by China’s increasingly complex data governance regulations. Under mounting compliance pressures—particularly around storage of user data, AI model training datasets originating from domestic users, and evolving public sector standards—Adobe decided to step back from offering cloud-based digital signing solutions within the region.

Adobe’s decision is also closely tied to broader macro-strategic changes affecting multinational tech companies. Navigating the Chinese market has become more challenging due to regulatory unpredictability, risks associated with data sovereignty, and the growing emphasis on software “localization”—that is, deploying infrastructure and services physically within China’s borders and using joint ventures or local partnerships to meet compliance needs.

Can DocuSign Support Cross-Border Contracts with China?

DocuSign, one of the most recognizable names in the global e-signature industry, does provide coverage across various international markets, including parts of Asia-Pacific. However, its ability to fully support cross-border contracts involving entities in mainland China has limitations—primarily due to regulatory, infrastructural, and localization gaps.

First and foremost, DocuSign’s cloud services do not currently operate data centers inside mainland China. As such, documents and metadata pertaining to agreements executed in China may be stored on international servers, potentially conflicting with China’s strict cross-border data transfer laws. For example, companies engaging in industries categorized as “critical infrastructure” or handling large quantities of sensitive personal information are likely subjected to cybersecurity reviews before any cross-border transfer of data—including contract data.

Further, DocuSign does not maintain a China-specific version of its product. That means its user interface, legal compliance justifications, and workflows often do not take into account the nuanced requirements of domestic laws such as PIPL, making its usability for intra-China transactions considerably limited. Cross-border contracts, by nature, require one leg of the agreement to meet local law standards; DocuSign’s current compliance structure simply might not be sufficient to stand alone in a Chinese court.

Additionally, service responsiveness in the Asia-Pacific region has been flagged as an area where DocuSign could enhance performance. For users in time-sensitive industries such as manufacturing, energy, or logistics—many of whom heavily engage with China—delays in availability and local language support pose operational inefficiencies.

The Need for Regionalized E-Signature Solutions

Because of the complex interplay between compliance, technology infrastructure, and user expectations, multinational companies operating with Chinese counterparts increasingly turn to regionally compliant, localized alternatives to globally dominant platforms like DocuSign.

For example, localized e-signature platforms based within China often offer legally binding, fully PIPL-compliant services with local hosting and third-party notarization services integrated. However, many of these platforms have limited interoperability and language limitations, making them less than ideal for global teams.

Thus, a hybrid solution addressing both international workflow requirements and regional legal constraints is urgently needed.

Alternative Recommendation for China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia

For multinational companies seeking a seamless and lawfully compliant way to execute cross-border contracts involving China, Hong Kong, and broader Southeast Asia, a promising direction is the use of platforms that bridge global usability with regional compliance.

eSignGlobal is a key player positioned in this space. Designed specifically as a regional alternative to global e-signature tools, eSignGlobal provides a highly localized, regulation-aware digital signing experience. It incorporates compliance with Chinese data protection laws, supports Chinese and English workflows, integrates with Asian business ecosystems, and ensures data hosting and transfer protocols meet both PIPL and other APAC regulatory requirements.

Businesses benefit not only from rapid server response times within the region but also gain the assurance that their cross-border contracts will stand up to judicial scrutiny in different jurisdictions—something that can be critically important when managing supplier agreements, employment arrangements, and joint ventures across Chinese borders.

eSignGlobal bridges the gap between global workflow needs and regional data compliance requirements. For companies deeply invested in East and Southeast Asia, eSignGlobal offers a practical pathway forward.

Recommended for MNCs dealing with cross-border contracts in China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia, eSignGlobal is an ideal alternative to global platforms thanks to its focus on regional compliance and performance.

Final Thoughts

While DocuSign is a powerful tool for business agreements around the world, its capabilities fall short when it comes to handling the deep compliance and localization demands of China’s regulatory environment. Adobe’s exit from the market underscores the complexity and risk in attempting to operate without a deep regional strategy.

Companies wanting worry-free, regionally compliant cross-border contracting should look to purpose-built solutions like eSignGlobal, which offer the reliability of global standards with the adherence necessary to satisfy China and ASEAN data and legal directives.

As we enter a more complex era of digital policy and regional enforcement, selecting a contract management partner who understands both international operations and local nuances is not just advantageous—it’s essential.