The checks that separate a real factory from a trading company or a scam.
Supplier verification is the single highest-leverage step in sourcing. A few hours of checks up front prevents the vast majority of disputes, delays and losses.
The layers of verification
- Business verification — registration, licence and trade history.
- Identity verification — the people behind the company.
- Factory verification — a real production site, confirmed on-site or by video.
- Capability verification — machinery and capacity match the claim.
- Track record — fulfilment history and buyer reviews.
What a real audit looks for
- A business licence whose scope matches the product.
- Consistent company details across documents and listings.
- Photos and video that match the claimed address and scale.
- References from buyers you can actually reach.
Red flags
Be cautious with mismatched bank-account names, pressure to pay quickly, prices far below market, and a refusal to allow inspections. Any one of these warrants a pause.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I verify a supplier before ordering?
- Check business registration and licence, confirm the factory exists via photos, video or a third-party audit, verify capability and capacity, review fulfilment history, and reach references. Then order samples before a bulk commitment.
- What are the warning signs of a fake supplier?
- A bank account in a different name than the company, prices far below market, pressure to pay immediately, refusal to allow inspections, and inconsistent company details across documents.
Ready to source smarter?