China Factory Verification Checklist

Business License (营业执照)

Request a copy of their unified social credit code certificate. Verify through the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System (中国市场监管行政处罚文书网). Check the registered capital matches their claimed capability, verify the business scope includes manufacturing or relevant activities, and confirm the establishment date aligns with their claimed experience.

Red flag: Business license shows different company name than communications, or registration is less than 2 years old with no verifiable track record.

Import/Export License (进出口权)

Verify they possess legitimate import/export capabilities through the Chinese Customs Administration. This confirms they're either a trading company or manufacturer actively engaged in international trade. Request their customs registration number (海关编码).

Why it matters: Trading companies without manufacturing capability may resell products from other factories, making quality control and pricing transparency difficult.

Tax Registration Certificate

Verify they have proper tax registration for export transactions. This includes general taxpayer status (一般纳税人) for VAT invoice capability. Request sample invoices to verify authenticity.

Production Permit (若有)

For regulated products like electronics, verify they have required production permits and industry certifications. Check with the relevant regulatory body.

Factory Photos & Video Verification

Request comprehensive factory documentation including exterior shots showing the building address, interior production lines with timestamped photos, office areas, warehouse facilities, and staff common areas. Cross-reference the location with satellite imagery on Google Maps or Baidu Maps.

Pro tip: Ask for a live video call or request specific photos (holding today's newspaper, specific handwritten sign) to confirm they're actually at the claimed location.

Contact Information Verification

Verify phone numbers through WeChat or WhatsApp verification. Confirm they use a company email domain (not @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, or free email services). Be suspicious of only having WeChat contact without verified business credentials.

ISO 9001 Quality Management

Verify ISO 9001 certification through the ISO Certificate Validation Portal or the issuing certification body's website. Check the certificate scope matches your product category, verify the validity period hasn't expired, and confirm the certification body is accredited (CNAS for China).

Watch out: Some factories display ISO 9001 but the scope only covers certain processes, not their actual manufacturing operations.

Product-Specific Certifications

For electronics, verify each relevant certification with the issuing authority. The Qi Certified Product Database for wireless chargers, CE marking requirements for European compliance, and FCC SDoC database for US market access.

Critical: Request the actual test reports, not just certificates. Reports show exactly what was tested and the methodology used.

RoHS & REACH Compliance

Request test reports for hazardous substance restrictions. RoHS compliance is mandatory for electronics sold in EU markets. Verify with the European Commission environment website.

Quality Manual & Procedures

Request quality management documentation. ISO 9001 certified factories maintain detailed process records including work instructions, inspection procedures, and non-conformance handling processes. Review these during your factory evaluation if possible.

Production Capacity Verification

Verify monthly output capability. Professional electronics factories can produce 100,000 to 1,000,000+ units monthly depending on product complexity. Ask for production records from the past 6 months showing actual output, not just claimed capacity. Cross-reference with their raw material procurement records.

Red flag: Claimed capacity significantly exceeds equipment or workforce所能支持的产能.

Manufacturing Equipment Assessment

Request photos or video of production equipment. For electronics, look for SMT lines (surface mount technology), AOI (automated optical inspection) machines, soldering equipment, testing stations, and packaging lines. Count the equipment and assess modernization. Newer equipment typically indicates better capability and consistency.

Pro tip: Ask about equipment maintenance schedules and last upgrade dates.

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) Reality Check

Understand their MOQ structure. Typical OEM orders range from 500-5,000 units depending on product complexity. A MOQ that's too low (under 100 units) may indicate they purchase from other factories. A MOQ that's too high may strain your cash flow. Evaluate whether their MOQ aligns with your business model.

Lead Time Reliability

Standard production lead time is 20-30 days after sample approval for existing products. New mold tooling typically requires 45-60 days. Ask for their on-time delivery rate over the past year. A reliable factory maintains 95%+ on-time delivery and can provide references from other buyers.

Workforce Evaluation

Assess the workforce size and organization. Professional factories employ dedicated QC staff (typically 5-15% of workforce), engineering teams, and clear organizational structure. Ask about employee turnover rate—high turnover suggests poor management and potential quality issues.

Raw Material Sourcing

Understand their component sourcing strategy. Professional factories maintain relationships with certified component suppliers. Request information on key component sources, especially for safety-critical parts. Be cautious if they can't identify their major chip suppliers or battery sources.

QC Process Documentation

Request a flow chart of their complete QC process. Professional factories implement multi-stage inspection including IQC (incoming quality control), IPQC (in-process quality control), FQC (final quality control), and OQC (outgoing quality control). Each stage should have documented procedures, acceptance criteria, and recording systems.

Ask for: Their QC flowchart, inspection standards document, and sample inspection reports.

Testing Equipment Calibration

Professional factories invest in comprehensive testing capabilities. For electronics, this includes integrated testing systems, aging test equipment, Hi-Pot testers, function testers, and safety testing equipment. Verify these exist and ask about calibration schedules—equipment should be calibrated annually by certified labs.

Defect Rate Standards

Ask about their target defect rate. Professional factories aim for under 1% defective rate. Excellent factories target under 0.3%. Request data showing actual defect rates from recent orders. Be suspicious if they claim "zero defects"—this is unrealistic and may indicate they haven't measured accurately.

Aging Test Policy

For power products like chargers, aging tests are critical. Wireless chargers should undergo 2-4 hour full-power aging tests. 100% testing is best practice for safety-critical parameters. Verify their testing protocol covers thermal performance, charging efficiency, and safety cutoffs.

First Article Inspection (FAI)

Verify they conduct FAI for new orders. This involves detailed inspection of the first 10-50 units from a production run to validate the process before full production begins. This catches tooling or process issues early, preventing large-scale quality problems.

Business History & Track Record

Verify how long they've been in business. Factories established before 2010 with continuous operation demonstrate stability. Request client references and actually contact them. Ask about payment terms they've offered and whether they honor them consistently.

Payment Term Negotiation

Standard terms for new relationships are 30% deposit, 70% balance before shipment. Be cautious of factories insisting on 100% advance payment—this removes your leverage. Similarly, be wary of factories accepting very long payment terms without credit checks, as this may indicate desperation for business.

Learn more about our payment terms and negotiation process.

Credit Check & Background Research

Conduct basic due diligence using resources like Tianyancha or Qichacha to verify registration information, litigation history, and business connections. These platforms show if the company has outstanding legal judgments or operational anomalies.

Labor Practice Verification

Request information about working hours, wages, and benefits. Verify compliance with local labor laws including maximum working hours, overtime regulations, and minimum wage requirements. Professional factories maintain employee records and pay social insurance as required by Chinese law.

SA8000 Certification (若有)

SA8000 is the leading social certification program for factories. While not mandatory, factories with SA8000 certification demonstrate commitment to ethical labor practices. Verify through the SAAS directory if claimed.

Environmental Compliance

Verify environmental permits and waste management practices. Manufacturing facilities require environmental assessment approvals. Request their environmental impact assessment or pollution discharge permits for relevant authorities.

Health & Safety Standards

Assess workplace safety conditions including fire exits, emergency procedures, and hazardous material handling. Request their safety inspection records and worker compensation insurance documentation.

Response Time Analysis

Test their response time over several days. Professional suppliers respond within 24 hours during business days. Note response quality—not just speed. Do they answer your questions thoroughly, or give vague responses? Slow or evasive communication often indicates problems that will intensify after you place orders.

English Proficiency Assessment

Assess English communication skills, especially for technical discussions. While not every staff member needs fluent English, key contacts (sales manager, QC manager, project manager) should communicate effectively. Misunderstandings due to language barriers cause costly production errors.

Technical Knowledge Evaluation

Ask specific technical questions about your product. Professional factories have knowledgeable staff who can discuss materials, processes, and specifications confidently. Vague answers or "we can do anything" claims without specifics are red flags.

Sample Availability & Lead Time

Professional factories offer samples from existing products. Typical lead time is 3-7 days for stock items. Custom samples require 7-14 days. Be cautious of factories claiming they can ship samples "tomorrow"—this suggests they're dropshipping, not manufacturing.

Sample Cost & Refund Policy

Clarify sample costs upfront. Many professional factories refund sample costs on bulk orders (typically 3-5x sample cost credited to first order). Be wary of extremely cheap samples—this may indicate low quality or misrepresentation.

Comprehensive Quality Testing

Test samples thoroughly using your own criteria. For chargers, test charging speed, thermal performance under load, build quality, safety features, cable durability, and packaging. Compare against your specifications and competitor products. Our factory provides detailed testing reports with every sample.

Pre-Production Sample Approval

Before bulk production, require pre-production samples. These confirm materials, colors, and workmanship match your specifications. Document approval signatures and keep records. Never begin production without written approval of pre-production samples.