How to Vet a Chinese Factory: A 10-Point Checklist

The 10 Checks (In Order of Importance)

1. 1. Live video walkthrough. Ask for a real-time video of the production floor on WhatsApp. A real factory does it immediately; a trading company can't.
2. 2. Business license + export license. Request both. The name on the license should match the factory, not a shell company.
3. 3. Audit certificates. Look for ISO 9001 or BSCI. They're not proof of quality, but they're proof of structure.
4. 4. Ask a technical question. "What's your drum tolerance?" or "which mold steel do you use?" An engineer answers in one message; a middleman goes quiet.
5. 5. Certification PDFs before you pay. FCC, CE, RoHS — ask for the actual PDFs, not a summary. See our certifications guide.
6. 6. Independent samples. Order a sample and have it lab-tested or inspected independently before committing to production.
7. 7. References you can actually contact. Ask for 2–3 clients in your market and actually message them.
8. 8. Written warranty. A real factory writes "12-month electronics warranty, DOA replaced at our cost." Vague promises are a red flag.
9. 9. Payment terms that protect you. 30% deposit / 70% before shipment is standard. Alibaba Trade Assurance is a good first-order safety net.
10. 10. Trust your gut on the price. A price far below market means something was cut — motor, wall thickness, or QC. See our premium vs cheap OEM breakdown.

Three Red Flags That End the Conversation

• They avoid the video call and send only glossy product photos.
• They "can't share" the certificate until after you pay.
• Their price is 30% below every other quote you received.