China is the world's factory, but it's also full of middlemen, outdated listings and the occasional outright scam. Before you wire money to a supplier you found online, run them through these seven checks. Each one takes minutes and can save you thousands.
中国是世界工厂，但也充斥着中间商、过时信息，偶尔还有彻头彻尾的骗局。在向网上找到的供应商汇款之前，先用下面七项核查过一遍。每一项只需几分钟，却可能为你省下数千美元。
1. Check the business license
1. 核查营业执照
Every legitimate Chinese company has a business license with a unified social credit code (18 characters). Ask for a copy, confirm the company name matches who you're talking to, and check the registered scope of business actually covers manufacturing your product.
每家合法的中国公司都有带统一社会信用代码（18 位）的营业执照。索取副本，确认公司名称与你的联系方对得上，并核对经营范围是否真的包含生产你的产品。
2. Confirm it's a factory, not a trader
2. 确认是工厂而非贸易商
A trading company resells other factories' goods and adds a margin. That's not always bad, but you should know which you're dealing with. Ask for the factory address, then ask for a live video tour of the production line. A real factory can show machinery; a trader will stall. (More on this in our guide on factory vs trading company.)
贸易公司转售其他工厂的产品并加价。这本身未必是坏事，但你应当清楚对方的身份。索取工厂地址，再要求对生产线进行实时视频参观。真正的工厂能展示机器，贸易商则会推脱。（详见我们的工厂 vs 贸易公司一文。）
3. Verify certifications and audits
3. 核验认证与审核
Ask for ISO 9001, and any product-specific certifications your market requires (CE, RoHS, OEKO-TEX, GRS, etc.). Don't just accept a PDF — certificate numbers can be checked on the issuing body's website. A third-party audit report (SGS, BV, TÜV) is even stronger proof.
索取 ISO 9001，以及你所在市场要求的产品专属认证（CE、RoHS、OEKO-TEX、GRS 等）。不要只看 PDF——证书编号可在发证机构官网核验。第三方审核报告（SGS、BV、TÜV）是更有力的证明。
4. Order paid samples
4. 订购付费样品
Always pay for samples before a bulk order. A sample tells you about quality, but also about the supplier: how fast they respond, how well they follow your spec, and how the goods are packed. A supplier who can't get a sample right won't get 5,000 units right.
在批量下单前务必先购买样品。样品不仅反映品质，也反映供应商：响应速度、对规格的执行程度，以及包装方式。连样品都做不好的供应商，做 5000 件也不会做好。
5. Ask for references and trade history
5. 索取客户推荐与外贸记录
Ask which countries they already export to and whether they can share (anonymized) buyer references. Export data services and even customs records can confirm a factory genuinely ships abroad — a supplier that has never exported will struggle with documents and logistics.
询问他们已出口到哪些国家，是否能提供（匿名的）买家推荐。外贸数据服务甚至海关记录可以确认工厂确实在出口——从未出口过的供应商在单证与物流上会很吃力。
6. Use safe payment terms
6. 使用安全的付款方式
Never pay 100% upfront to a new supplier. A common structure is 30% deposit and 70% after a pre-shipment inspection. For larger orders, consider a letter of credit or trade-assurance escrow. Be wary if a supplier suddenly changes bank details by email — that's a classic fraud.
切勿向新供应商全额预付。常见结构是 30% 定金、发货前验货后付 70% 尾款。大额订单可考虑信用证或交易保障托管。若供应商突然通过邮件更改银行账户信息，要格外警惕——这是典型的诈骗手法。
7. Inspect before the final payment
7. 尾款前验货
Book a third-party pre-shipment inspection (a few hundred dollars) before you release the balance. The inspector checks quantity, quality and packaging against your spec at the factory — your last chance to catch problems before goods leave China.
在放尾款前预约第三方发货前验货（几百美元）。验货员会在工厂按你的规格核查数量、质量与包装——这是货物离开中国前发现问题的最后机会。
The short version
简要总结
Verify the company, confirm it's a real factory, check certifications, test with samples, use safe payment terms, and inspect before paying in full. Do this and most of the risk of sourcing from China disappears.
核实公司、确认是真正的工厂、核查认证、用样品测试、使用安全付款方式、并在全额付款前验货。做到这些，从中国采购的大部分风险就会消失。
Want us to verify and shortlist suppliers for you? We're based in China and work in English, Chinese and Turkish.
想让我们替你核实并筛选供应商吗？我们在中国，工作语言为英文、中文和土耳其语。
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