Finding a supplier on Alibaba or at a trade show is the easy part. Knowing whether you can trust them with a 30% deposit is the hard part. Here is a practical verification process we use before working with any factory.
1. Confirm the business is real
Ask for the company’s business license (营业执照) and check the registered name against the bank account name you are asked to pay. A legitimate Chinese company will always receive payment into a corporate bank account matching its registered name — never a personal account.
2. Check the registration yourself
China’s National Enterprise Credit Information System (国家企业信用信息公示系统) lets anyone look up a company’s registration status, registered capital, legal representative, and business scope for free. You want to see “在业” (active) status and a business scope that actually covers the products you are buying.
3. Order samples before talking about bulk
A real factory will happily produce samples. Use samples to test communication speed, quality standards, and whether the sample matches the spec sheet. Disappearing after you pay for samples is one of the cheapest warning signs you can catch early.
4. Video-call the factory floor
Ask for a live video tour of the production line, not photos. Trading companies posing as factories often stall or send generic footage. On the call, look for product-specific machinery and branded boxes from past clients.
5. Use an escrow or inspection service for the first order
For your first transaction, keep risk small: use trade assurance, hire a third-party inspection before the balance payment, or work with a sourcing agent who handles payment and QC on your behalf.
The short version
License check, registration check, samples, live video, and protected payment. Five steps that filter out the vast majority of bad actors — and the good suppliers will pass all of them without complaint.
Need help vetting a supplier? Get a free quote and we will handle verification for you.