Chinese Factory Audit: What to Check On-Site
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A factory audit is the difference between a verified manufacturer and a website with stock photos. A practical audit checks the business license scope, the SMT line and reflow ovens actually running, incoming QC and AOI stations, and the test fixtures on the production floor — not just a clean showroom. Disqualifying failures are concrete: no functional test bench, no traceability on components, or a "factory" that turns out to be a rented office with the real production subcontracted out.
When you audit a factory, you are confirming three things: that it physically makes the product, that it has process controls (incoming inspection, in-line AOI, final functional test), and that its license and certifications match what it claims. The classic pitfall is being shown a polished front office while production happens at an unverified sub-supplier.
Guides (1)
FAQ
What are the disqualifying failures in a factory audit?
No functional test station on the line, no component lot traceability, a business license whose scope does not cover the product, or evidence the work is subcontracted to an unnamed third party. Any one of these means you cannot trust quality or delivery.
How long does a China factory audit take and what does it cost?
A standard on-site audit takes one working day per facility and typically costs USD 300–600 if done by a local agent, plus travel. A remote/video audit is cheaper but weaker — it can't verify the line is genuinely running your kind of product.
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