Supplier Verification
We confirm a supplier is real, licensed, and capable — before you transfer a single payment.
A supplier that looks perfect over email can still be a trading company reselling someone else's goods, a broker with no factory at all, or a real factory that simply can't produce your volume. Verification is how you find out before money moves — not after a deposit is gone.
We're in China, so we don't just read documents from a distance. We check the legal paper trail and, where the order justifies it, send an inspector to the factory floor to confirm the company is exactly what it claims to be.
Who this is for
This service is for:
- First-time buyers about to pay a deposit to a supplier they've only met online.
- Importers placing large first orders — from 20 MT or one full container — who can't afford a scam.
- Companies that need documented due diligence for finance or compliance.
What we do
- 1
License check
We verify the business license, registration, and legal status.
- 2
Ownership & history
We check ownership, company age, and export track record.
- 3
Factory vs. trader
We confirm whether they actually manufacture or just resell.
- 4
Capacity check
We assess production capacity against your order.
- 5
On-site visit
Where needed, we visit in person and report back with photos.
What we verify
Verification combines a documentary check with, where needed, a physical audit. Each layer rules out a different kind of risk — a fake company, a middleman, or a genuine but over-stretched factory.
We confirm the basics first, then go as deep as your order value warrants.
- Business registration and legal name match the bank account
- Valid business licence and operating scope
- Real manufacturer — not a trading company reselling goods
- Production capacity matched to your order
- Product certifications relevant to your market
- Credit standing, legal disputes, and order history
- Export experience and time active on trade platforms
What an on-site factory audit covers
When the order justifies it, an inspector visits in person and walks the site in a fixed sequence — the same path a serious buyer would take. You get photos and video, not just a tick-box.
An on-site audit is the only reliable way to separate a real production line from a showroom or an empty office.
Two levels of verification
Not every order needs a full audit. We match the depth of checking to what's at stake.
- What it confirms
- Company is real and licensed
- Best for
- Smaller or repeat orders
- Independence
- Independent records
- Catches
- Fake firms, brokers, bad paperwork
- What it confirms
- Factory, capacity & quality in person
- Best for
- First orders & large commitments
- Independence
- Independent inspector on site
- Catches
- That, plus capacity & QC gaps
- What it confirms
- Whatever they choose to tell you
- Best for
- Nothing you're paying for
- Independence
- None — it's self-reported
- Catches
- Little until it's too late
What you receive
You get a clear verdict you can act on — proceed, proceed with conditions, or walk away — backed by evidence rather than opinion.
If a supplier fails, we'll usually have a verified alternative to suggest.
- Go / caution / no-go verdict with reasoning
- Copies of licences and key certificates
- Photos and video from the on-site audit
- Capacity assessment against your volume
- Red flags and any inconsistencies found
- Our recommendation and next steps
Why it matters
The problem we solve — and how we solve it.
A convincing website and catalog can hide a trader — or an outright scam.
We verify legal and factory status from Chinese government and on-site sources.
Deposits sent to unverified suppliers are rarely recovered.
You verify before you pay anything.
A real factory may still lack capacity for your volume.
We confirm capacity matches your order before you commit.
How we compare
| Silk Way Sourcing | Typical logistics company | Alibaba sourcing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| License verification | Official Chinese records | Not offered | Self-reported badges |
| Factory vs. trader | Confirmed on-site | Not applicable | Unverified claims |
| Capacity audit | Matched to your order | Not applicable | Not assessed |
| Timing | Before you pay | Not applicable | After issues arise |
Frequently asked questions
Do you check the supplier on official Chinese registries?
Yes. We pull the company's record from China's national enterprise credit registry (QCC / the National Enterprise Credit Information System) to confirm the business licence, legal representative, registered capital and business scope, and we screen for court judgments, operating-abnormality flags and blacklist entries. On Alibaba we also check Verified/Gold Supplier status and trade history — but the registry and an on-site visit matter far more than platform badges.
Can you verify a supplier without me traveling to China?
Yes — that's the whole point. Our team is already in China. We run the document checks remotely and send a local inspector to the factory, so you get an on-site audit without leaving your office.
How long does verification take?
A documentary check is usually a few days. An on-site audit depends on scheduling the factory visit, but we confirm a realistic date when we scope the job.
What documents do you check?
Business registration, business licence and operating scope, relevant product certifications, and — where useful — credit standing, tax status, and any record of legal disputes. We confirm the registered name matches the bank account you'd be paying.
How do you tell a real factory from a trading company?
Documents are the first filter; the on-site audit is the proof. An inspector confirms machinery, staff, and work in progress on the floor. A trader has an office and a showroom but no production line.
What if the supplier fails verification?
Better to know now than after a deposit. We explain exactly what failed, and because we source too, we can usually point you to a verified alternative.
Do you verify suppliers I found myself?
Yes. Send us the company details and platform links and we'll verify a supplier you sourced independently — you don't have to have found them through us.
Is a document check enough, or do I need an audit?
For small or repeat orders a document check often suffices. For a first order or a large commitment, an on-site audit is worth it — it's the only way to confirm capacity and quality, not just legitimacy.
How much does verification cost?
Pricing isn't fixed — it depends on the complexity, scope, and resources the job needs. Tell us what you're planning and we'll give you a clear quote up front, with no hidden costs.
What importers say after working with us
Sourcing wins across steel, solar, energy storage, construction materials and supplier verification. Client names are withheld for confidentiality.
- Supplier verification
Before committing to a long-term supplier we asked Silk Way to verify three 'factories'. Two were middlemen. That check paid for itself many times over.
E-commerce / dropshipping · Ukraine - Supplier verification
We use them purely as our verification arm now. Every new supplier goes through Silk Way before we wire a deposit.
Trading company · Saudi Arabia - Supplier verification
A supplier looked perfect on paper. The on-site visit revealed they'd outsourced production entirely — we walked away.
Wholesale importer · Kazakhstan
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Learn moreMeet our team of experts
Our team brings hands-on experience in sourcing, quality control, and logistics, working closely with manufacturers to ensure reliable results at every stage.
Arkadii Vakhnovskyi
Founder & CEO
Dmitry Markov
Head of Operations & CTO
Andy Wang
Logistics & Compliance Manager
Alyona
Marketing & SMM
Contact Us
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