Verifying your Chinese supplier

A guide to finding accurate company information on Alibaba

Finding a supplier on Alibaba is one thing. Making sure that supplier is who they say they are is another thing entirely.

Chinese suppliers who misrepresent themselves on the platform are a real problem. While Alibaba has verified supplier badges, trading companies use the platform too, and not every listing that looks like a manufacturer is one. Sometimes companies list false credentials or outdated certifications.

Here's how to dig beneath the surface and verify who you're actually dealing with.

Step 1: Start with the Alibaba profile

Every Alibaba supplier has a company profile. Look for: business type (manufacturer, trading company, or both), year established, number of staff, and whether they have a verified or assessed supplier badge. These badges mean Alibaba or a third party has done some level of verification, but they're not foolproof.

Step 2: Request their business licence

Every legitimate Chinese business has a business licence (营业执照). Ask the supplier to share theirs. Key information to check: company name in Chinese, registration number, registered address, and business scope. If a supplier is reluctant to share their business licence, that's a red flag.

Step 3: Cross-reference on China's National Enterprise Credit System

China has a publicly accessible business registry at gsxt.samr.gov.cn. Enter the company name or registration number from the business licence to verify the information. This is free to use and available in English via browser translation.

Step 4: Check for export experience

Ask to see previous orders to your target market. Real exporters can provide shipping records, customer references, or compliance certificates for Western markets. If they have none of these, proceed carefully.

Step 5: Video call the factory

Ask for a video call and request a tour of the production floor. This is a fast and inexpensive way to confirm you're talking to a real manufacturer and not a middleman. Pay attention to whether the facility matches their stated capacity.

When to use a sourcing agent

All of the above takes time and requires at least basic Mandarin literacy for some steps. If you'd rather skip the investigation and get a verified recommendation, a sourcing agent can do this due diligence on your behalf as part of the sourcing process.