1. Start with the unresolved question
If you have found a potential Chinese supplier but do not know who will make the product or whether the factory has the relevant equipment, begin with supplier and factory verification. If production is complete and you need evidence about the goods being offered for shipment, arrange a pre-shipment inspection against the approved order requirements.
Scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Question | Factory verification | Pre-shipment inspection |
|---|---|---|
| What is reviewed? | The business, manufacturing role and relevant capability | The identified order or finished production lot |
| When is it useful? | Before supplier approval or a significant new commitment | When the goods are sufficiently ready for the agreed inspection |
| What is the reference? | Buyer brief, identity records and capability requirements | Approved specification, sample, order and inspection plan |
| What does the buyer receive? | Findings, supporting evidence and unresolved supplier questions | Inspection findings, measurements, defects and packing observations within scope |
| What does it not establish? | That every later production batch will meet specification | The factory's long-term capability or the quality of every unexamined item |
2. Give factory verification a specific scope
Factory verification can start with a desk review of legal identity, business role and payment alignment. Capability questions may call for a remote review or an on-site visit. The useful question is whether the evidence relates to your product, process and expected volume; a general factory tour may leave those points unanswered.
- Identify the Chinese legal entity, contracting seller, actual manufacturer and intended payment beneficiary.
- Check the processes, equipment and quality controls relevant to the buyer's requirement.
- Clarify which operations are subcontracted and where production would take place.
- Separate directly checked findings from supplier statements and missing evidence.
3. Prepare the inspection before the goods are ready
A pre-shipment inspection needs an agreed specification and a clear inspection plan. Set these before production starts where possible. Confirm lot identity, production and packing readiness, access, available measuring equipment and any functional checks with the executing inspector. Agree how findings will be reported and who can authorize shipment.
- Product identity, order quantity and the specification or drawing revision to inspect.
- Dimensions, workmanship, function and appearance checks relevant to the product.
- Packaging, labels, carton marks and quantity checks within the agreed scope.
- Sampling method, defect definitions, acceptance criteria and any separately commissioned tests.
- The response to a failed check: hold, correction, reinspection or a documented buyer decision.
4. Choose the next check for your situation
These are illustrative purchasing situations, not RISVO customer cases. The depth of review depends on the product, the missing evidence and the consequences of a problem.
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| Your situation | A useful next step |
|---|---|
| New supplier; unclear manufacturing role | Verify the business relationship and relevant factory capability before approval. |
| Approved supplier; finished order awaiting release | Inspect the identified lot against the approved specification and packing requirements. |
| New custom product; difficult-to-correct process risks | Review capability, approve the sample and consider checks during production as well as before shipment. |
| Repeat order; changed factory, process or material | Reassess the affected capability and approval records, then inspect the resulting order as appropriate. |
5. Connect the records and name the decision owner
Verification findings should inform the sample plan and the points to inspect later. If a critical feature needs a particular process, record how that capability was reviewed and how the finished feature will be checked. Keep the supplier identity, approved sample, drawing revision and inspection report connected to the same project and order.
- The supplier confirms the production reference and reports proposed changes.
- The named reviewer or inspector records the evidence within the agreed scope.
- The buyer retains commercial approval and shipment-release authority unless the contract assigns it differently.
6. Tell RISVO what you need to decide
For a new supplier, start with its name, the proposed product and the questions that remain open. For an existing order, include its production stage, quantity, destination and available specification. We can then discuss the scope, timing, executing party and record you need before work begins.
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