This checklist helps you link a supplier’s legal identity to production evidence and make practical decisions during a visit or a remote review. Use it when you are considering a proveedor<\/a>, planning a first production run, or responding to a calidad<\/a> concern.<\/p>\n Summary Verify legal identity before you travel or accept samples. Pedido<\/a> a copy of the business license, the company name in Chino<\/a>, the legal representative, and the tax registration or unified social credit code. Confirm the company name matches the seller on Alibaba, the quotation, and any export invoices. If the name differs, ask why and request supporting documents such as a sales contract showing a trading company relationship.<\/p>\n Decisions to make before the visit Bring a pre-printed checklist of required documents and a cellular hotspot for immediate verification and photos. If you want help with document checks or supplier verification, see our supplier servicios<\/a> (\/a-services\/).<\/p>\n Inspect production evidence rather than only showroom prototypes. Open the gates to find production lines, raw materials, tooling, work-in-progress, and packing areas. Ask to see a current production order that matches the product you are buying. Request a short tour of the production line to confirm capacity and worker count.<\/p>\n Key production evidence checklist (use this on-site) Decisions while inspecting For planning and log\u00edstica<\/a> of visits, see our factory visits guide (\/a-factory-visits\/).<\/p>\n Verify quality control by examining records and running targeted sample checks. Ask to see incoming inspection logs, first article inspection reports, in-line inspection frequency, and final inspection checklists. Request a current inspection report for a recent order and a photo log of key quality points.<\/p>\n Practical tests to run Decisions to make on quality For help defining gate checks and inspection steps at scale, see our quality control services (\/a-quality-control\/).<\/p>\n Check labour and safety signals that affect production continuity and legal risk. Confirm there are permanent worker areas, visible PPE use on the floor, and basic fire exits and emergency procedures. Ask whether employees are on long-term contracts and acerca de<\/a> peak season overtime practices.<\/p>\n What to note and document Decisions tied to labour and safety Record everything with clear photos, short notes, and timestamps. Capture documents face up with the supplier’s company stamp or logo visible. Photograph production lines from a few angles, tooling with rulers for scale, and sample labels or serial numbers.<\/p>\n Simple on-site report structure Decisions after documenting If you plan regular visits, build a repeatable checklist for faster comparaci\u00f3n<\/a> across suppliers. For practical planning tips, see our factory visits guide (\/a-factory-visits\/) and our quality control services (\/a-quality-control\/).<\/p>\n For project planning, see Supplier selection support<\/a>, Supplier Ally sourcing services<\/a>, y contact Supplier Ally<\/a> when you need a second set of eyes on the supplier or production plan.<\/p>\n
\n– Verify legal documents first.
\n– Confirm production evidence on site.
\n– Validate quality controls with records and sample trails.
\n– Check basic labour and safety signals.
\n– Record everything with photos and timestamps.
\nDecide in advance which items will fail the supplier.<\/p>\nPrepare: verify legal identity before you travel<\/h2>\n
\n– Will you accept a trading company or insist on a manufacturer? Decide based on product complexity and IP risk.
\n– Which documents must be scanned and timestamped as a condition to proceed?
\n– Do you need a certified translator for paperwork in Chinese?<\/p>\nInspect: look for production evidence, not just salesroom samples<\/h2>\n
\n| Item | Why it matters |
\n|—|—|
\n| Active production orders or packing lists | Confirms the f\u00e1brica<\/a> is producing at scale and not staging a sample area |
\n| Bill of materials or supplier list for key components | Reveals where critical parts originate and potential quality risks |
\n| Tooling or molds for your product | Shows whether tooling exists and who owns it |
\n| Sample batch with serial numbers or labels | Verifies consistency between prototype and batch |
\n| Raw material certificates or incoming inspection records | Links material claims to traceable documents |<\/p>\n
\n– Can the factory scale to your target monthly volume?
\n– Are critical components produced in-house or sourced? If sourced, can you approve those suppliers?
\n– Does the factory have tooling or will tooling be subcontracted?<\/p>\nQuality controls: verify processes with records and sample trails<\/h2>\n
\n– Randomly sample 5 to 10 items from a recent production batch and check against your specification sheet.
\n– Ask for a full measurement record or first article report and cross-check dimensions on site.
\n– Inspect packaging samples and confirm the labeling will match customs and retail requirements.<\/p>\n
\n– Will you require third-party pre-shipment inspection or accept supplier internal QC for initial orders?
\n– Which defects are allowable by severity and which are automatic fails?
\n– Should you lock in corrective action plans and re-inspection intervals in the purchase order?<\/p>\nLabour and safety: flag the signals that affect continuity and risk<\/h2>\n
\n– Worker count relative to production lines and reported capacity.
\n– Evidence of basic safety equipment and fire extinguishers.
\n– Any restricted areas or reluctance to let you speak privately with line workers.<\/p>\n
\n– Do you accept a factory that relies heavily on temporary labour for your first run?
\n– Will you require a remediation timeline for safety gaps before placing another order?
\n– Do you need a social compliance audit for your market or buyers?<\/p>\nRecord and document: use photos, timestamps, and a simple report format<\/h2>\n
\n– Cover page: supplier name, date, location, auditor name.
\n– Legal identity: copies of key documents with notes.
\n– Production evidence: photos and short descriptions.
\n– QC records: lists and example images.
\n– Risks and immediate actions: three items that must be fixed before production.<\/p>\n
\n– Is the supplier cleared to start a sample or pilot run?
\n– Do you send a corrective action request and set a deadline?
\n– Do you require a follow-up visit or third-party audit?<\/p>\nRelated Supplier Ally support<\/h2>\n
Next step<\/h2>\n