How to Verify a Chinese Supplier
- Nancy Kong
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
1. Check Business Legitimacy
✔ Request a Business License
Ask for a copy of the supplier’s Chinese business license (营业执照). Confirm:
Registered company name
Business scope
Registration number
Issue/validity date
Address
Use China’s National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System to verify authenticity.
✔ Look for Company Registration Years
A company operating for 5+ years is usually more stable.
2. Verify Factory or Trading Status
Many suppliers on Alibaba, Made-in-China, or 1688 may claim to be manufacturers but are actually trading companies.
Ways to confirm:
Ask for factory photos/videos
Request a real-time video call tour
Ask for production equipment lists
Check if their business license includes “manufacturing”
Manufacturers offer better pricing, while traders can provide better sourcing flexibility—know what you are working with.
3. Check Certifications and Compliance
Depending on your product type, ask for relevant certificates:
CE, RoHS, FCC (electronics)
ISO 9001 (quality management)
MSDS (chemicals)
Food-grade certificates
BIS for India (when applicable)
Always verify the certificate’s serial number with the issuing authority to avoid fakes.
4. Evaluate Communication Skills
Reliable suppliers communicate clearly and professionally. Red flags include:
Slow responses
Vague answers
No technical knowledge
Changing stories or inconsistent information
A responsive supplier is crucial for long-term cooperation.
5. Request Samples Before Ordering
Never skip samples when working with a new supplier.
Check:
Product quality
Packaging
Functionality
Material specifications
If the sample looks different from what was promised, reconsider the supplier.
6. Use Third-Party Factory Audits
Professional inspection companies like:
SGS
TÜV
Bureau Veritas
QIMA
China-based inspection services
They can provide:
Factory audit reports
Production capacity analysis
Quality control system reviews
Social compliance audit
This is one of the most reliable methods.
7. Check Online Reputation
Research the supplier on:
Alibaba reviews
Google reviews
Sourcing forums
Social media
Import/export groups
Look for complaints about:
Delays
Quality issues
Hidden charges
Fake certifications
8. Confirm Payment Methods
Preferred safe payment methods include:
PayPal (for samples)
Alibaba Trade Assurance
Letter of Credit
Bank Transfer to company account (never personal)
Avoid suppliers that demand full payment upfront without guarantees.
9. Track Their Export Experience
Ask:
Which countries they export to
How many years they have exported
Whether they can provide export records
If they understand Indian/EU/US standards
Experienced exporters handle customs and documentation more smoothly.
10. Start With a Small Trial Order
Before large orders:
Test their production speed
Verify quality consistency
Evaluate packaging quality
Confirm shipping reliability
A small order exposes issues early, reducing risk.
Final Thoughts
Verifying a Chinese supplier is not difficult—but it requires proper steps. With careful checking of business licenses, factory capability, certifications, communication quality, and sample quality, you can avoid scams and build long-term partnerships.
Whether you are an Amazon seller, e-commerce entrepreneur, or importer, proper verification saves money, time, and headaches.
Contact Information
Whatsapp: +86-18098151030Nancy/+91-9952044576Mallesh Gujjala/+86-181 2571 3582Rose/+86-13416222617Jack/+86-15918480524CC/+86-18125730121Kimi
Email: nancy@gmrglobal.co
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Thank you for reading. I look forward to further communication with you!
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