Why verification matters
Most import losses happen before production even starts — paid to a company that is not a factory, not the factory it claimed to be, or not a company at all. A structured check takes days; a bad supplier costs months.
The 12-step checklist
- Business license — ask for the Chinese business license and verify the registered capital and scope.
- Company name in Chinese — English names are informal; the legal name is always Chinese.
- Factory vs trader — check the business scope for the word manufacture.
- Export license — not every factory can export directly.
- Bank account name — it must match the licensed company name exactly.
- Factory audit — book a third-party audit for orders above $10,000.
- Product certifications — CE, FDA, or ISO documents verified with the issuing body.
- References — ask for two buyers in your region.
- Video call on the factory floor — not the showroom.
- Sample order — always, before bulk.
- Verified profile — on Prebro, check the verification badges and company documents.
- Escrow or staged payment — never 100% upfront.
Where buyers lose money
:::chart Reported loss points in first-time imports
Payment to wrong entity | 34
Quality failure, no inspection | 27
Fake certifications | 18
Hidden costs after deposit | 21
:::
> If a supplier refuses a video call from the production line, treat it as a red flag, not a scheduling issue.
Do it inside Prebro
Prebro company profiles show verification status, certifications, and reviews in one place, and deal rooms keep every document attached to the transaction — so your checklist is evidence, not memory.