Don't worry; you're not alone. Most of the businesses interviewed in this survey conducted by Global Sources said that verifying Chinese suppliers is the biggest problem they face when importing products from the country.

When you're verifying a potential supplier you are essentially looking at these two aspects:

Does the supplier have the ability to produce the products you want to buy?

Is the company a legitimate business with good reputation and not a scam or business on the verge of bankruptcy?

This article offers simple and effective strategies to answer these two questions – let's get started.

1. Use search engines & Chinese suppliers’ directories

When checking out Chinese wholesale websites, go through all their policies (returns, damages, backorders), and make sure they have their contact information and physical address posted on their site.

Open Google or Bing and search “[company name] + scam,” “[company name] + dishonest,” and a few variations. Other distributors and retailers who had a bad experience with China wholesale suppliers often try to leave a trace about it on the web.

verify chinese suppliers

While searching the supplier’s company name, you will find the profiles they created on several B2B directories, including Alibaba, Global Sources, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and many more.

These places are a great start to look through reviews, get references and ask questions, but beware of members who are simply trying to self-promote. For example, look out for how long the supplier has been in operation (it’s good to do business with a supplier who has been in the market for at least 2-3 years).

Also, many B2B marketplaces usually offer verification services such as this one provided by Alibaba, so it makes your life a lot easier when it comes to determining if you can trust a particular supplier or not. Similarly, Global Sources checks important data of suppliers such as the start date, number of staff in each department, factory ownership, amount of sales, brand names, and so on.

Furthermore, with Google search, you might also come across information such as whether a supplier has participated in trade shows recently, which is a good sign that you’re dealing with reputable China wholesale suppliers. Renting a booth and attending trade shows can be seen as an investment in gaining new customers. Repeated presence in trade shows also means that the supplier is earnest in cultivating relationships with customers.

2. Make a phone call

To avoid being traced by law enforcement authorities, most scammers do not provide genuine registration information online. For example, they will provide a false company address, telephone and fax number, or persuade buyers to contact them by mobile phone only.

Make a phone call to the China supplier’s landline and ask for the company registration number and business license number while you’re at it. An alarm should sound off in your mind if a supplier only has a mobile number and not a landline. In China, it is possible for people to buy hundreds of mobile phone numbers without any restriction or limitation. This is why scammers almost always use mobile phone numbers instead of landline telephones.

A standard Chinese landline will look like this: 86 10 3333 3333. “86” is the country code of China, “10” (or another 2-digit number) is the area code, and 8 digits for the telephone number. You can do a basic check on the location of the telephone number using the area code.

3. Check business licenses

Chinese suppliers have to register with the Chinese government authorities and obtain a unique company registration number. If your supplier is unable to provide you a unique company registration number, it's too risky to continue dealing with them. To verify the registration number, visit their local administrative government website or contact their local Bureau of Industry Commerce.

4. Ask for references

To verify the supplier’s financial credit worthiness, ask for their bank’s reference letters. To check up on the supplier’s track record in producing top-quality items, ask for their previous customers as a reference and don’t hesitate to contact them too.

Likewise, if you know any other brands in your industry, why not contact them and ask for recommendations of any Chinese Suppliers they have used.

5. Get a sample

Whether you’re buying wholesale clothing in China or any other product, ask for a sample item – even if you have to pay for it. When you have a sample in your hands, you can check the quality to ensure the product is exactly what you are looking for.

Also, if you have to pay for the initial sample charge, insist on wiring money to your potential supplier’s company bank account. If they can’t provide you with that information, they are probably not serious about doing business.

Moreover, you can refer to the supplier’s Audit Reports (if available) for an independent onsite report of their manufacturing and trading capability.

6. Money matters

While we're on the topic of money, when it comes to payment, tell your potential China suppliers that you want to get your products picked up by your local agent from their address, and that they will pay cash on delivery. See if they allow for this. Scammers will never agree to it but real legit suppliers will.

In addition, TT, Western Union, and MoneyGram are the most common mode of payment in China, but good suppliers accept PayPal as well. Always be cautious of using untraceable wire service transfers with suppliers you do not know – these are highly risky and susceptible to fraud.

how to verify chinese suppliers

7. Conduct factory audits (or at least pretend to)

Tell potential suppliers that you’ll have their factory audited before any Purchase Order is issued, and later will want their production inspected before any shipment is authorized. Mention it right away in your first encounter or email. If the supplier refuses or starts making excuses why it wouldn’t be a good idea, that’s a red flag!

Factory audits are the right tool to verify a supplier’s claims about their production capability. Most quality control firms and some sourcing agents can audit a factory based on a checklist that corresponds to your needs. Prices range from 300 to 900 USD for a day of work in the main production areas.

8. Make good use of databases

Search through this database of the Chinese Supreme Court. Type in the Chinese name of your supplier and see if you find it there. You will be able to find out if they have been given a sentence and if they failed to pay damages. Unfortunately, this site is available only in Chinese. However, a Chinese contact or your Chinese sourcing agent should be able to help you with this translation step.

9. Background checks on the cheap

You can order a report from third-party authentication services such as GloBIS, where their business credit report service will provide information on your potential Chinese supplier, including legal representatives, shareholders, business scope, financial records from the last three years, and other information.

You can also try China Checkup, which offers very similar services and caters more specifically for foreign buyers’ needs.

10. Visit the company or factory in person

This is the best way to verify your suppliers – you won’t know much about an organization unless you visit it. You can also discuss your products, prices, quality inspection, and delivery time expectations face to face. It’s impossible for you to go visit every potential supplier you have in mind, so go through the earlier steps outlined in this article, and narrow down your selections before deciding to jump on a plane and visit their office or factory in person.

The best way to reduce fraud (regardless of whether you’re trading online or offline) is for buyers and sellers to conduct proper due diligence and research before entering any transaction. Be meticulous with this verification process, and you will know if your potential supplier can be trusted.

When it comes time to start discussing prices with a China supplier, follow our guide to negotiating with suppliers so you can secure the best deal possible and ensure your profit margins remain healthy.

Lastly, once you have developed a good working relationship with a reputable Chinese supplier, don’t forget to keep track of their ongoing standards by doing regular supplier QA checks.

With more ten years China sourcing and business interpreting experiences i would like to share the popular wholesale markets to who want to visit.

If you need any questions, you can feel free to contact me.

You can find many latest designs in the wholesale markets, they update the new samples frequently, mostly they accept to change the sizes and colors. They never put the new designs on internet,because they worried about the competitors to copy their new designs.

If your order quantity is big,you should visit and order with factories .All the factories have minimum order quantity,but different factories have different policies.

For your money safety, Don't make payment to the person you never see before by Western union or private bank account,i advice you visited the manufacturers before you make orders. Some time the website looks a very professional and big company but after you visit them, you maybe found it they are very small factory or the address is not exit.

Part I

Furniture and home decoration

1.) Louvre furniture wholesale mall 罗浮宫国际家具博览中心

Address//地址：National Highway 325, Lecong,Shunde District, Foshan City佛山市顺德区325国道乐从路段

2.) Redstar macalline 红星美凯龙

Address/地址： Shui Teng Road, 325 National Road, Lecong Town,Foshan 乐从镇325国道水藤路段家具城

3.) Sunlink furniture city ( north section)" 顺联北区

Address/地址：National Highway 325, Lecong,Shunde District, Foshan City

佛山市顺德区325国道乐从路段

4.) Sunlink furniture city ( south section) 顺联南区

Address/地址：National Highway 325, Lecong,Shunde District, Foshan City

佛山市顺德区325国道乐从路段

5.) Lecong International Exhibition Centre 乐从国际家具博览中心

Address/地址：No. 4FB37, Lecong International Furniture Expo Center, Shunde District, Foshan City佛山市顺德区乐从国际家具博览中心4FB37号

6.) Qianlong Furniture City钜隆家具城

Address/地址： Guangzhan Road, Lecong Town, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province广东省佛山市顺德区乐从镇广湛公路

Tel/电话：(0757)28856123

7.) China Eastern International Furniture City东航国际家私城

Address/地址：佛山市顺德区乐从国际家私城前排Front row of Lecong International Furniture City, Shunde District, Foshan City

Tel/电话：(0757)28831938

8.) Dongming International Furniture City东鸣国际家具城

Address/地址：乐从镇121国道中国家具工厂500强批发基地对面Lecong Town 121 National Road opposite the China Furniture Factory Top 500 Wholesale Base

9.) Yinfu International Furniture City银富国际家私城

Address/地址：广东省佛山市顺德区乐从镇乐从国际家私城银富家私城Yinfu Furniture City, Lecong International Furniture City, Lecong Town, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province

Tel/电话：(0757)28913398

10) Nanhua International Furniture City南华国际家具城

Address/地址：Commercial 4th Road, Lecong Town, Foshan City佛山市乐从镇商业四路

11) Weihong International Furniture City威鸿国际家具城

Address/地址：Nanfu Road, Foshan Avenue, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province广东省佛山市顺德区佛山大道南辅路

12) Dongheng International Furniture City东恒国际家具城

Address/地址: Front row of Lecong International Furniture City, Shunde District, Foshan City佛山市顺德区乐从国际家私城前排

Tel/电话：(0757)28831938

13) Lecong Group International Furniture City乐从团亿国际家具城

Address/地址: Lecong Town Commercial Jiu Lu Tuanyi International Furniture City乐从镇商业九路团亿国际家具城

14) Royal Emperor Jewelry Professional Market御皇饰品专业市场

Address/地址: Near S82 Foshan Yihuan ExpresswayS82佛山一环高速辅路附近

15) Southern Furniture City南方家具城

Address/地址: Southern Furniture City, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province (Northwest of Hongxing Meikailong)广东省佛山市顺德区南方家具城(红星美凯龙西北)

16) Foshan Yanbu hotel Furniture center 盐步酒店家具城

Address/地址:Opposite to Huanghai Road, Huanghua, Nanhai District ，Foshan

南海区黄岐黄海路口对面(近穗盐路)

17）Foshan Yanbu厅Da zhuan wan Office furniture Mall 大沥镇盐步大转弯办公家具城

Address/地址：Guangfo intersection in Nanhai District,Foshan 南海区广佛路口

Part II

Tiles, stones and building materials

1.）China Ceramic City中国陶瓷城

Address地址：No. 2, Jiangwan 3rd Road, Chancheng District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province佛山市禅城区江湾三路2号

TEL电话：(0757)82727362

2.）Foshan International Ceramics Exhibition Center佛山市国际陶瓷展览中心

Address地址：Address: No. 2, Jihua 4th Road, Chancheng District, Foshan City佛山市禅城区季华四路2号

3.）Foshan Huaxia Ceramic City佛山华夏陶瓷城

Address地址：Taobo Avenue, Chancheng District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province广东省佛山市禅城区陶博大道

TEL电话：(0757)85313088

4.）Foshan Porcelain International trading center 佛山瓷海国际

Address地址：South side of Jihua Bridge, No. 168, Jihua West Road, Nanzhuang Town, Chancheng District, Foshan City, 佛山市禅城区南庄镇季华西路168号季华大桥南侧

5.)Foshan Hongyi Ceramics City佛山鸿艺陶瓷城

Address地址：No. 89-90, Wugang Road, Chancheng District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province广东省佛山市禅城区雾岗路中89-90号

TEL电话：0757-82727288

6.)Shagang Dexing Ceramics Wholesale Market沙岗德星陶瓷批发市场

Address地址:No.1, Building d, Caixia Community, Chancheng District, Foshan City 佛山市禅城区彩霞社区d栋1号

7.)Shiwan Shagang Ceramics Wholesale Market石湾沙岗陶瓷批发市场

Address地址：No. 433, Shagang Road, Shiwan, Chancheng District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province广东省佛山市禅城区石湾沙岗路433号

8.)Shiwan Jingugang Ceramics Wholesale Market石湾金瓜岗陶瓷批发市场

Address地址：Foshan Chancheng District Wugang Road Ceramic Wholesale Market West  佛山市 禅城区 雾岗路陶瓷批发市场西

9.)Shiwan Zhiye Ceramics Wholesale Market   石湾置业陶瓷批发市场

Address地址：Zhenzhong Road, Shiwan Town, Chancheng District, Foshan City 佛山市 禅城区 石湾镇街道镇中路

10)Yimeijia Ceramic City/ 意美家陶瓷城

Address地址：Foshan Chancheng District Jihua Fourth Road Yimeijia Ceramics City佛山市 禅城区 季华四路意美家陶瓷城

11)Shiwan Zhidi Ceramics Wholesale Market  石湾置地陶瓷批发市场

Address地址：Zhenzhong Road, Shiwan Town, Chancheng District, Foshan City 佛山市 禅城区 石湾镇街道镇中路

12)Hejing Ceramics Trading Center河宕陶瓷交易中心

Address地址：Block B, Shiwanhe Ceramic Trading Center, Chancheng District, Foshan City广东省佛山市禅城区石湾河宕陶瓷交易中心

13)China Mosaic City中国马赛克城

Address地址：No. 9 Baota Road, Chancheng District, Foshan City佛山市禅城区宝塔路9号

TEL电话：(0757)82777886

14)Yingke Stone City盈科石材城

Address地址：9-14 Kuiqi West Road, Chancheng District, Foshan City佛山市禅城区魁奇西路9-14号

15)Hengxing Building Materials City恒星建材城

Address地址： No. 1 Xingang Road, Chancheng District, Foshan City佛山市禅城区新岗路1号

16)Casa Ceramics and Sanitarywares Mall意美家卫浴陶瓷世界

Address地址：Foshan Chancheng District Jihua Fourth Road Yimeijia Ceramics City佛山市 禅城区 季华四路意美家卫浴陶瓷世界

17)Shiwan Sanitary City石湾卫浴城

Address地址：佛山市禅城区江湾二路28号附近

TEL电话：(0757)82262166

18)Yunfu International stone materials center云浮国际石材城

Address地址：Yunshi Avenue, Yuncheng District, Yunfu City, Guangdong Province广东省云浮市云城区云石大道

TEL电话：(0766)8482260

19)Yunfu International Stone materials Expo Center云浮国际石材博览中心

Address地址：No. 2, Jinlong Road, Yuncheng District, Yunfu City云浮市云城区金龙路2号

20)Guangzhou Nantian Hotel Supplies Wholesale Market广州南天酒店用品批发市场

Address地址：Northwest of Luoxi Bridge, South of Guangzhou Avenue, Haizhu District, Guangzhou广州市海珠区广州大道南洛溪桥角西北侧

21）Guangzhou Shaxi International Hotel Supplies City 广州沙溪酒店用品批发市场

Address地址：No. 11, Shaxi Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou广州市番禺区沙溪大道11号

22)Huayi Decoration Building Materials City华艺装饰材料城

Address地址：Lvjing West Road, Chancheng District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province广东省佛山市禅城区绿景西路

23)Da zhuan wan building decoration material market 大转弯建材装饰市场

Address地址： Da zhuan wan road, guang fo road, west huan Guangzhou, Foshan city 广州西环广佛路大转湾段

24 )Nanan Road Building materials market南岸路建材批发市场

Address地址： NO.20,Road Nanan,Liwan District,Guangzhou city

25)Guangzhou Yangcheng Decorative Materials Market广州羊城装饰材料市场

Address地址：No. 20, Nan'an Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou广州市荔湾区南岸路20号

26)Huayi International Decoration Expo City华艺国际装饰博览城

Address地址：No. 10, Laixiang Road, Chancheng District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province广东省佛山市禅城区莱翔路10号

27)Meiju Building Materials Center美居建材中心

Address地址：No. 1 Lvjing West Road, Chancheng District, Foshan City佛山市禅城区绿景西路1号

Part III

Lighting  and Lighting accessories Wholesale Markets

1.) Lighting era center灯都时代广场

Address地址：No.12, dongxin middle road, guzhen, zhongshan city古镇东兴中路12号

TEL电话：(0760)22533521

2.) Yinquan Lighting Plaza银泉灯饰广场

Address地址：No. 117 Xinxing Middle Road, Zhongshan City中山市新兴中路117号

3.) World Trade Lighting Expo Center世贸灯饰博览中心

Address地址：Zhongxing Middle Avenue, Zhongshan City中山市中兴大道中

4.) Guzhen Lighting Square古镇灯饰广场

Address地址：TiYU Road, Guzhen Town, Zhongshan City中山市古镇镇体育路

5.) Yida Lighting Plaza艺达灯饰广场

Address地址：No. 2, Zhongxing Avenue South Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province中兴大道南2号

TEL电话:0760-22352432

6.) Superstar Lighting Plaza巨星灯饰广场

Address地址：No.179 Xinxing Middle Road, Zhongshan City中山市新兴中路179号

7) Huaxing Lighting Plaza华兴灯饰广场

Address地址：No. 72 Xinxing Middle Road, Zhongshan City中山市新兴中路72号

TEL电话:(0760)87567666

8.) BaiSheng Lighting Plaza佰盛灯饰广场

Address地址：No. 1 Zhongxing Avenue, Guzhen Town, Zhongshan City中山市古镇镇中兴大道中1号

9) Yingxin Lighting Plaza盈新灯饰广场

Address地址：2 Hexing Road, Zhongshan City中山市和兴路2号

TEL电话:0760-22533999

10) Century Lighting Plaza世纪灯饰广场

Address地址：No. 56 Xinxing Middle Road, Guzhen Town古镇镇新兴中路56号

TEL电话:(0760)22369777

11) Modern lighting plaza现代灯饰广场

Address地址：No. 86 Xinxing Middle Road, Guzhen Town, Zhongshan City中山市古镇新兴中路86号

TEL电话:0760-89866333

12) Yinhe  Lighting Plaza 银河灯饰广场

Address地址：No. 13, Dongxing Middle Road, Zhongshan City,广东省中山市东兴中路13号

13) Guyi Lighting City古一灯饰城

Address地址：the intersection of Puxing Road and Xiangganzhou North Road浦兴路与祥干洲北路交叉口

14) Liufang Lighting Plaza六坊灯饰广场

Address地址：No. 16, Dongxing Middle Road, Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province广东省中山市东兴中路16号

15) Nanwei Lighting City南威灯饰城

Address地址：146 Xinxing Middle Road, Guzhen古镇新兴中路146号

TEL电话:(0760)89851638

16) China Lighting Accessories City中国灯都灯饰配件城

Address地址：China  Lighting Accessories City, Gujiang Town, Guzhen Town, Zhongshan City中山市古镇镇岐江公路中国灯都灯饰配件城

17) Tianhong International Crystal Glass Light Matching City天宏国际水晶玻璃灯配城

Address地址：No. 138, Zhongxing Avenue North, Guzhen Town古镇镇中兴大道北138号

18) Ruifeng Light Matching City瑞丰灯配城

Address地址：96 Zhongxing Avenue, Zhongshan City中山市中兴大道96号

19) Guzhen Qifang Lighting Accessories City古镇七坊灯饰配件城

Address地址：No. 1, Yifeng Street, Third Industrial Zone, Gangdong, GuzhenTown, ZhongshanCity

20) Sunlink lighting & kitchen cabinet city / 顺联橱柜灯饰城

Address地址：next to 325 national road, lecong town, shunde district, Guangdong province / 广东省佛山市顺德区乐从镇325国道旁

TEL电话:0757-28338778

21) Nanian International Lighting Centre 广州南天国际照明中心

Address:Guangzhou Road South and the north-west corner of Luo Xi Bridge,Guangzhou

China Sourcing agent,Business guide,English Speaking driver
Michael Gong
Phone No./Whatsapp: 0086 135 1272 3439
WeChat: ChinaBusinessGuide
Email: [email protected] 

In Guangzhou , there are many Halal restaurants , and for the foreigner who just visit Guangzhou ,it is very difficult to find it . 

here I will introduce you an area or a Street that many of Halal restauants are there together .

you can show it to the Taxi Driver in this by Chinese: 广州市越秀区环市中路304号肇庆大厦（Zhaoqing Building, No. 304 Huanshi Middle Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou）

Near this area ,you will find a lot different Halal restaurants.

and Now I want to Introduce the SHI SHA , where you can have SHISHA in Guangzhou ?

SHI SHA  is a popular and popular way of smoking in many countries around the world, especially in the Arab countries, which has a history of 500 years. The fruity hookah originated from the Arab countries, because it is basically free of nicotine and has a strong fruity flavor.

some of the Halal restaurant at that area have SHI SHA , and there also have shop to sell the SHI SHA tobaco .

There is a Halal restaurant : called Alibaba turkey restaurant, and down stairs there is a coffee shop called : babylon cafe , you can have SHI SHA there .

thank you .