Vetting Chinese Suppliers Before You Pay
2 resources tagged with "Supplier Vetting"
Most sourcing losses trace back to skipped vetting — wiring a deposit to a trading company that disappears, or to a factory that can't actually make what it quoted. Real verification works in layers: business license check, registered scope match, video factory walkthrough, third-party audit, and a pre-production sample before the balance is paid. Each layer filters out a class of risk that the previous one missed.
Vetting means confirming the supplier is a legitimate manufacturer with the capacity for your order before any money moves. The most common failure is treating a slick Alibaba storefront as proof — a verified Gold Supplier badge is paid placement, not a quality guarantee, so we check the underlying business registration and audit the site.
Guides (2)
FAQ
What checks should I do before wiring a deposit?
Confirm the business license, check that the registered scope covers your product, get a live video walkthrough of the line, and ideally run a third-party factory audit. These steps cost little and catch most scams.
Does a Gold Supplier badge mean a supplier is safe?
No. Gold Supplier and verified badges are paid memberships, not quality certifications. They confirm the company paid Alibaba, not that it runs a real factory or makes good product.
How do I separate a real manufacturer from a trader?
Match the company name to the factory address and business license scope, ask technical questions only a maker would answer, and request a factory audit. Traders typically resist site visits and deflect process questions.
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