Brand ownership without owning the factory · Verify before you wire money
Supplier vetting
Check legal identity, capability, references, quality systems and payment terms before placing a production order.
Key facts
| Legal identity | Business license, registered name and bank account match |
|---|---|
| Capability | Equipment, capacity, materials and relevant product experience |
| Quality | Inspection process, test reports and defect handling |
| References | Existing customers or verifiable export history |
| Audit | Third-party factory audit or inspection for larger orders |
| Payment | Trade assurance, letter of credit or staged payments reduce risk |
| IP | NDA and design ownership before sharing files |
| Official source | Supplier documents, audit reports and your purchase contract |
Documents first, samples second
A polished website is not evidence of a factory. Ask for the business license, the production address and the bank account name. They should match the entity you are contracting with.
Then order a sample and inspect it against a written specification. A good sample from a trading company may not represent the factory that will make the bulk order.
Payment terms are risk management
Paying the full amount upfront removes your leverage. Staged payments tied to sample approval, production and inspection are common. Use a platform's trade assurance or an escrow arrangement where available.
For a first order, a third-party inspection before the balance payment is cheap insurance against a shipment that does not match the sample.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know a supplier is a real factory?
Verify the legal entity, production address and bank account, then use a video call or third-party audit. A website alone is not proof.
Should I pay a deposit?
A deposit is common. Tie the balance to inspection or documented milestones and keep the payment evidence.
Ask a compliance question
Free first answer by email. Tell us the destination, the product and the channel — we will point you to the rule and the official source. No obligation, no sales sequence.