Introduction
Supplier verification is not one action. It is a small sequence of checks that, together, tell you whether the supplier in front of you is who they say they are and can do what they claim.
Skipping any single step is where most first-time sourcing losses come from.
1. Confirm The Business Exists
Every legitimate Chinese manufacturer is registered on the national business registry. A verification service — or a sourcing partner — can pull the company record, confirm the business scope covers your product category, and check registration date and status.
A supplier who refuses to share their business licence has already answered the question.
2. Confirm The Physical Factory
A registered business is not the same as a working factory. Verification means confirming that the address on the licence corresponds to actual production space, not an office pretending to be a factory.
This requires either an on-site visit or a video walkthrough during a live call. Photos alone can be reused.
3. Confirm Capability In Your Product Category
A factory can be real and still be wrong for your project. Ask for:
- Previous products in the same category
- Production floor photos showing relevant equipment
- Sample quality in an adjacent product
A factory that has never made anything close to your product will learn on your order.
4. Read The Communication Signals
Reliable suppliers ask specific questions. They understand what “500 units” means in their production planning. They push back on impossible timelines.
Unreliable suppliers agree to everything, quote fast, and stay vague. The willingness to say “no” or “this is difficult” is one of the strongest positive signals.
5. Verify Through The Sample
The sample is a verification tool. It tests whether the factory can actually produce what they promised in the quote, and whether they can respond to feedback.
A sample that arrives late, with unexplained deviations, is a preview of production.
6. Reference Or Third-Party Signal
For larger orders, ask for a customer reference in a non-competing market. For smaller orders, an inspection report or third-party factory audit provides the same signal at lower cost.
FAQ
What is the minimum verification a small buyer should do? At minimum: business licence check, video call showing the factory, and one sample. This costs almost nothing and prevents most fraud cases.
Is a professional-looking website enough evidence? No. Websites are cheap. Business licences, factory videos, and samples are what confirm the supplier is real.
Can Hansen verify a supplier I have already found? Yes. Factory Verification is a distinct service — Hansen can verify a supplier you sourced yourself before you place a larger order.
Verify Before You Order
Verification is much cheaper than dispute resolution after a bad shipment. If you would like Hansen to verify a supplier, see the Factory Verification service or start a project.