How to verify a factory address in China before a visit or audit
TL;DR: Confirm the address on official documents, cross-check with two map or imagery services, require time-stamped photos or a live walkthrough, and hire a local verifier when remote checks leave doubts. Treat address checks as separate from capacity and quality verification.
Start by confirming the written address against official documents and the supplier’s stated production address
Confirm the written address on the business license and any lease or utility documents the supplier provides. Ask for the company name in Chinese, a scanned copy of the business license (营业执照), and a lease or property title for the factory site if available. Check whether the registered address on the business license is a production site or a sales office. If the registered address differs from the production address, request both and prioritize the production address for physical verification.
Decisions to make
– If the supplier provides only a trading company license, require the production site address and supporting documents.
– If documents appear incomplete or the supplier refuses to share them, escalate to remote verification or third-party checks before booking travel.
Use at least two independent mapping or satellite services and verify GPS coordinates
Use at least two mapping services to confirm the location and surroundings. Ask the supplier for GPS coordinates. Paste those into Baidu Maps, Amap, or Google Maps satellite view and compare results. Look for consistent street numbers, industrial park names, and visible factory buildings. Note whether the site appears as an industrial facility or a residential complex.
Practical checks
– Compare the business address text to the map pin and to satellite imagery.
– Check nearby landmarks and main roads for travel feasibility.
– Save screenshots with timestamps for your records.
Request verifiable time-stamped photos, metadata, and a live video walkthrough
Request verifiable photos and a live video walkthrough to confirm the site is active and matches the address. Ask for images that include the factory gate with the company name in Chinese, the building number, the loading area, and interior production areas you expect to inspect. Require time-stamped photos or a brief live video via WeChat, Tencent Meeting, or Zoom where the supplier pans across key points while you ask for specific details.
Practical questions to ask during a live walkthrough
– Show the building number and a close-up of the sign with the company name in Chinese.
– Show the shipping and receiving area and a gate-to-road view so you can confirm access for containers or trucks.
– Ask the person filming to hold up today’s newspaper or a phone screen showing the current date to confirm timeliness.
If the supplier refuses live video or provides poor-quality images, treat the address as unverified and consider a local visit.
Send a local verifier when remote checks are inconclusive or legal documentation is required
Send a trusted local verifier when remote checks leave doubts or when you need signed documentation on site. A local third-party inspector, sourcing agent, or freight forwarder can confirm GPS coordinates, check exterior signage, obtain copies of lease agreements, and photograph the business license at the site. They can also confirm whether the location is in an industrial park and gather details you cannot verify remotely.
What a local verifier should deliver
– Photos with GPS metadata of the gate, building, and surrounding area.
– Copies or certified scans of on-site documents such as the lease or utility bills.
– A short written report that states whether the physical location matches the supplier’s claims.
If you plan a formal audit or supplier visit, coordinate the address verification with your travel and inspection plan. See our guidance on preparing for a factory visit for logistics and safety considerations: /prepare-for-a-factory-visit
Separate address confirmation from capability verification with two distinct checklists
Use different checklists and timelines for address confirmation and capability verification. Address confirmation proves the supplier operates at the claimed location. Capability verification evaluates manufacturing capacity, quality systems, and compliance. Mixing the checks can obscure risk and waste resources.
Quick checklist
| Address confirmation tasks | Capability verification tasks |
|---|---|
| Verify business license address | Inspect production lines and machinery |
| Confirm GPS coordinates on two map services | Review quality control procedures and records |
| Obtain time-stamped photos or live video of gate and sign | Sample production run and product testing |
| Use local verifier to collect on-site documents | Verify workforce size and shift patterns |
| Confirm road access for logistics | Check certifications and safety management |
Decisions to make
– Complete address confirmation first. If the address fails, do not proceed with detailed capability audits.
– If the address checks out but capability questions remain, schedule a separate audit focused on production and quality. Supplier Ally can help coordinate both address checks and capability audits through our verification and quality services: /services. For specific capability checks, see our guidance on quality control checks: /quality-control-checks
Related Supplier Ally support
For project planning, see Supplier selection support, Supplier Ally sourcing services, and contact Supplier Ally when you need a second set of eyes on the supplier or production plan.
Next step
If you need on-the-ground verification or help planning a combined visit and quality audit, contact Supplier Ally to arrange address checks or a coordinated factory visit: /services
For help preparing for the visit or aligning verification with quality checks, see our guidance on how to prepare for a factory visit, explore our sourcing and verification services, or review our quality control support: /prepare-for-a-factory-visit, /services, /quality-control-checks
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