An inspection answers a narrow question: is this batch good enough to ship? A factory audit answers a different one: should this factory make your goods at all? The distinction matters because most sourcing losses begin before the first production run. A supplier that looks capable on paper may lack the equipment for your specification, carry a thin QC system, or subcontract work you assumed was in-house. A factory audit China buyers can act on is an evidence-gathering exercise, and it is most valuable before you commit tooling costs, deposits or a production schedule.
What the audit covers
Our supplier audit services combine a desk review with an on-site visit. The background check covers business registration, export history and product focus, so you know whether the factory actually makes the category you are buying. The on-site review then examines the production environment, the condition and relevance of equipment, and whether capacity fits your order size and delivery date.
- Production environment: housekeeping, lighting, workflow, safety conditions.
- Equipment condition and maintenance records.
- The factory's own QC system, including incoming checks, in-line checks and retained records.
- Materials storage: segregation, labelling, moisture and damage control.
- Packaging area and packing accuracy controls.
- Subcontracting practices, and whether outsourced processes are disclosed.
The goal is a factual picture of how the factory operates on an ordinary day, not a polished presentation.
Where we audit
We visit factories around Yiwu and the surrounding industrial areas, including Jinhua, Yongkang, Pujiang and Dongyang, that supply the categories we source: household goods, kitchen and bathroom items, hardware and tools, stationery, holiday gifts and crafts, toys, textiles and apparel, bags, jewellery and accessories, small appliances, and agricultural parts and consumables. Visits are accompanied by our team and findings are translated, so nothing depends on the factory's own account of the visit.
Grading: A, B or C
Each audited supplier is graded, and the grade has commercial meaning.
| Grade | Meaning | Order implication |
|---|---|---|
| A | Strategic partner | Suitable for repeat and higher-value orders, with standard inspection rhythm. |
| B | Qualified | Usable, with defined checkpoints and closer pre-shipment control. |
| C | Observe or remove | Hold new orders; remove if no credible corrective plan. |
Audit findings feed the supplier grading used on later orders, following black-list and white-list practice: a C grade restricts allocation, an A grade supports it.
What you receive
You receive a risk assessment report: photographs of production lines and QC points, capability notes measured against your product's requirements, any red flags observed, and a clear recommendation, whether to approve, approve with conditions, or not use the supplier. Certificates available upon request.
Audit, then inspect
An audit reduces supplier risk before money moves. It does not replace batch inspection. Once production starts, the five-stage chain (IQC, IPQC, PQC, FQC, OQC) runs under our coordination, performed by the executing inspection party with sampling to ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 / ISO 2859-1, standard AQL Major 2.5 / Minor 4.0 and stricter levels such as 0.65 or 1.0 on request. Critical defects stop the shipment. Reports include high-resolution photos, video, a defect list and corrective recommendations, and the final report reaches you at least 3 days before shipment. Re-audits are triggered when a supplier's defect pattern changes.
FAQ
Can the factory refuse findings?
A factory can disagree, but it cannot change what the evidence shows. We report what we observe, with photographs, and the buying decision stays with you. For a C grade, we may recommend re-audit after corrective action, and a re-inspection report with before/after comparison closes the loop. Contact [email protected] to schedule an audit.