Supplier verification
How to Verify a Chinese Supplier Before Paying
Verify a Chinese supplier before paying: check registration, bank details, factory capability and samples, then plan local checks with MedinChina.
The key takeaway
Verify the legal company, the payment beneficiary and the ability to deliver your specific order. Registration confirms an entity exists; it does not prove product quality or make a payment safe.
Start with the Chinese legal name
Ask for the business licence, Chinese legal company name, Unified Social Credit Code and registered address. Search the official National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System using the Chinese name or code. An English trading name alone may not identify the entity you are contracting with.
Compare the registration status and business details with the quotation and contract. Check whether any listed abnormal-operation or enforcement information needs explanation. A valid registration is a starting point; it does not establish ownership of a factory or compliance of a product.
Match the beneficiary to the transaction
Check the beneficiary name, bank location and account details against the contracting entity before sending money. A related export company may legitimately receive payment, but the relationship and responsibilities should be documented and independently checked.
Treat a last-minute account change as a reason to pause. Confirm it through an established contact channel, not only by replying to the message that announced the change. Pressure to use a personal account or an unexplained third party deserves further investigation.
Check the actual production capability
Ask where your product will be made, whether work is subcontracted, and which equipment and processes are used. Request a live factory walkthrough focused on your product, or arrange a visit when the order justifies it. Stock photos and a showroom tour are limited evidence.
Check reports and certificates against the exact company, model, standard and validity period. Where relevant, confirm authenticity with the issuing body. A report for another model or another factory should not be treated as proof for your order.
Use samples and written order controls
Approve a sample against measurable criteria and record the agreed materials, dimensions, functions and packaging. Put the reference and revision in the purchase agreement. Define inspection timing, defect handling and payment milestones before production starts.
- Keep the licence, quotation, contract and bank verification in one order file.
- Confirm who signs the contract and who handles quality claims.
- Agree which inspection or test must be completed before each payment milestone.
Use MedinChina for checks on the ground
MedinChina can coordinate supplier verification, factory visits, sample follow-up and inspection arrangements in China under an agreed scope. Share the supplier name, website, quotation and product requirements so the team can identify the checks your purchase needs.
Ask for findings tied to documents, observations and unresolved questions. Verification reduces uncertainty but cannot guarantee future performance; use the findings to decide whether to proceed, seek clarification or choose a different supplier.
Frequently asked questions
Is a business licence enough to trust a supplier?
No. It helps establish legal identity, but you also need to check the transaction, production capability and product requirements. Documents can be misused or unrelated to the seller.
Should I pay a deposit before an inspection?
The appropriate sequence depends on the order. Verify the supplier before a deposit, and agree production and pre-shipment checks with payment milestones in writing. Do not rely on a universal payment percentage.