Supplier verification
Check that the company details and stated capability of a supplier are consistent with the information available before you commit.
Explore supplier verificationSUPPLIER HUB / VERIFY BEFORE YOU COMMIT
Supplier management
in China.
Evidence before commitment.
Check who you are buying from before an order is placed. Arrange supplier verification, factory and capability reviews, sample collection and product inspection around the evidence your buying decision actually needs.
Explore supplier management support
SUPPLIER HUB
Supplier management starts with the questions your order depends on.
A supplier that answers quickly is not automatically the right supplier. Verification, factory review, sample approval and inspection each answer a different question, and the evidence worth paying for depends on the product, the order value and how much risk the purchase carries. This hub organises the checks around your approval points instead of a generic audit package. Scope, availability and specialist responsibilities are agreed before work starts.
01 / SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT DIRECTORY
Choose your China
supplier management support.
Select the check that matches the next decision you have to make.
Factory & capability review
Arrange a focused review of the production site and the capability that matters for your product.
Explore factory & capability reviewSample collection & approval
Coordinate samples and record the review questions so approval becomes an explicit decision.
Explore sample collection & approvalProduct inspection
Plan an inspection scope around the specification points that photographs cannot confirm.
Explore product inspection02 / SELECT THE RIGHT CHECK
Verify, review, sample
or inspect?
Each task answers a different question. Choose the one that matches the decision that is actually open.
| Sourcing service | Best starting point | What to define |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier verification | You have a supplier name, an enquiry or a first quotation and nothing verified yet. | Which company details, registrations and references you need checked before continuing. |
| Factory & capability review | You need to know whether the site and equipment can produce your product. | The production steps, equipment and capacity that actually matter for the product. |
| Sample collection & approval | You need a physical sample before deciding on the order. | Which sample, which review points, and who records the approval decision. |
| Product inspection | Goods are in production and you cannot confirm the specification from supplier photos. | Sample size, inspection points, acceptance criteria and what happens on a failed result. |
Verification, factory review, sample collection and inspection are agreed tasks with defined deliverables. They do not replace your own commercial approval or specialist product compliance advice.
03 / PRODUCT BRIEF CHECKLIST
A clearer sourcing brief
helps the supplier comparison.
Provide the requirements that change the buying decision.
Product & specification
Reference photos or links, materials, dimensions, functions and must-have features. Distinguish requirements from optional preferences.
Quantity & order plan
Planned quantity, sample needs and expected reorder pattern. Supplier minimums should be confirmed for the actual product.
Target market & packaging
Destination country, label and packaging needs, and any standards you need the supplier to address. Confirm specialised requirements with qualified professionals.
Budget & timing
Target budget, sample approval deadline and required order readiness. Separate product cost from sourcing support and freight.
04 / COMMON BUYING STARTING POINTS
Your buying model
changes the sourcing scope.
Choose the service around how the product will be found, purchased or developed.
You need agent-led buying coordination.
Use a Product Sourcing Agent when you need an agreed coordinator across supplier outreach, comparison, samples and approved procurement follow-up.
Explore product sourcing agent
You need a new supplier or manufacturer.
Use Supplier & Factory Sourcing to compare candidates against one defined product brief and supplier criteria.
Explore supplier & factory sourcing
You plan to buy through a wholesale market.
Use Wholesale Market Sourcing for product selection, supplier communication, order records and the collection plan.
Explore wholesale market sourcing
You need a customised or developed product.
Use OEM & ODM Sourcing to define technical requirements, samples, packaging and approval gates before production.
Explore OEM & ODM sourcing
05 / SAMPLE → ORDER → HANDOVER
Make procurement decisions
with delivery in mind.
Product sourcing does not end with a supplier quotation. Review sample approvals, final packing and supplier ready dates early enough to plan collection and consolidation. International freight should be quoted using the actual packed cargo and destination, not an unconfirmed product estimate.
Explore sourcing-to-delivery coordination06 / SOURCING KNOWLEDGE
Build a better buying brief.
Ask better supplier questions.
Learn the preparation basics, then use the service page for the task you need.
CHINA SOURCING
How to source products from China
Turn a product idea into a clearer sourcing brief. Review specification, quantity, samples and delivery planning before supplier outreach.
Explore the China sourcing guideCHINA SOURCING
How to verify Chinese suppliers
Prepare questions about supplier identity, quoted scope, sample approval and the evidence behind commercial claims.
Explore supplier verificationCHINA SOURCING
Shipping Guides
Connect purchasing decisions with packing, cargo dimensions, consolidation and the freight inquiry.
Explore shipping guidesGLOBAL BRANDS
Partnering with the best in the business
BLOG INSIGHTS
Shipping Insights & Practical Guides
07 / SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT FAQ
Questions about
managing suppliers in China.
Find a clear starting answer, then confirm what applies to your product and buying stage.
What information do I need to request a freight quotation?
Share the product description, supplier pickup city, destination city or address, package count, packed dimensions, gross weight, cargo ready date and the delivery tasks you want included. Flag any figures that are still estimates.
Can I ask for a quote before the goods are packed?
Yes. Mark dimensions and weights as estimates and ask when the amount will be reconfirmed against final packed cargo.
Why do two freight quotations show different totals?
Compare cargo inputs, transport mode, charging unit, delivery boundary, assumptions, validity and exclusions.
Does a door-to-door price include every charge?
Only the items explicitly included in the written quotation. Confirm duties, taxes, inspections, storage and special handling separately.
Which is more suitable for my shipment: air or ocean freight?
Consider cargo size, urgency, route, acceptance requirements and the complete collection-to-delivery cost and timeline.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL uses a container for one shipper’s cargo; LCL combines compatible shipments. Compare packed volume, handling and the full service scope.
LET’S PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP
From China.
To your next opportunity.
Describe the supplier, the product and the decision you need to make. We will review which verification, review or inspection tasks fit the stage your purchase has reached.
Start with your product brief and destination. We will review a suitable scope for your requirements.