When dealing with Chinese suppliers, verifying them is crucial to ensure quality, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. Fortunately, you can take a few easy steps to quickly determine whether or not they are trustworthy. Here are 5 tips for verifying a Chinese supplier before making a purchase.
Check Reviews and Do Online Research.
Searching for reviews online is one of the best places to start when verifying a Chinese supplier. Look for verified customer reviews, as these will give you a better idea about their quality, accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and more. Also, use sites like Weibo or Wechat to research suppliers and learn more about the company’s background. Furthermore, take some time to explore the supplier’s website and social media accounts to get an accurate sense of their business practices.
Verify the License of Your Supplier.
Chinese laws change often, and it is important to verify your suppliers are up-to-date on their license requirements. Licensed suppliers can provide quality assurance, ethical practices, accurate pricing, and more. You can also double-check licenses by asking for official documents from the supplier, such as a certificate of registration or a foreign business license. This will help to ensure that your supplier is an established and trusted partner in China.
Ask for Evidence of Quality Assurance.
Quality assurance is essential when verifying a supplier in China. Ask for evidence of quality control processes and ask them to provide details such as certifications, records of past inspections and laboratory tests, or any third-party validation they may have from an independent auditing service. This is an excellent way to ensure that the products you receive will be up to standards and meet your expectations. You can also ask for customer references, those they've worked with or
Auditing Your Supplier in Person or by Video Conferencing.
Auditing your supplier in person or by video conferencing is the best way to verify their operations. You should learn about the facility, its capabilities, production processes, and management initiatives during the audit. Ask for documents, including operating licenses, safety & environmental policies, and employee training records, to get an idea of how seriously they take quality control and compliance regulations. Make sure to take notes during these audits, as this will help provide valuable insight into the supplier’s overall performance.
Cross-reference Details with the Chinese Government Database (made In China).
Before engaging with a Chinese supplier, it’s essential to cross-reference their information with the Chinese government’s database. The “Made In China” website is an excellent source of details on products, companies, and even the individuals behind the scenes. This database will provide an accurate description of their capabilities and qualifications, helping you make an informed decision before proceeding further.
GlobalTQM has been sourcing in China for more than 20 years. We have helped hundreds of businesses of all sizes in sourcing, developing products, testing, and protecting Intellectual Property (IP) in China.
GlobalTQM is your expert on the ground in China.
The GlobalTQM team can facilitate your needs in China, from having a scalable satellite office to verifying the quality and legitimate sources of goods and raw materials.
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