How do I check if a Chinese supplier is real?

Five checks separate a factory from a trading company pretending to be one. One: the business licence — company name, registered capital, scope, and whether it matches the name on the invoice. Two: years on the platform and repeat-buyer rate. Three: whether the listing photos are factory photos or catalogue renders. Four: whether they can quote a tolerance, a material grade and a lead time without hesitating. Five: whether they accept a factory visit or a third-party inspection. A supplier who cannot answer four and five is a trader. That is not always bad — traders are often faster for small orders — but the price should reflect it.

• Business licence must match the invoice name
• Catalogue renders instead of factory photos is a warning
• Refusing an inspection is the strongest warning

Common questions

How do I check if a Chinese supplier is real? Five checks separate a factory from a trading company pretending to be one. One: the business licence — company name, registered capital, scope, and whether it matches the name on the invoice. Two: years on the platform and repeat-buyer rate. Three: whether the listing photos are factory photos or catalogue renders. Four: whether they can quote a tolerance, a material grade and a lead time without hesitating. Five: whether they accept a factory visit or a third-party inspection. A supplier who cannot answer four and five is a trader. That is not always bad — traders are often faster for small orders — but the price should reflect it.

Is this included in the service fee? Sourcing, negotiation and inspection are included in the banded service fee. Freight and destination taxes are quoted separately so each line is visible.

How do I start? Send the product link on WhatsApp. You get a written, itemised price within two working hours.