Clothing Manufacturers in China: A Remote Vetting Checklist
You can qualify a factory in Dongguan from a desk in London or Sydney, but only if you ask for the right evidence. This checklist is the order we recommend: entity first, floor second, audit third, sample last.
- Match the legal name on the licence to the bank account.
- Ask for a live video walk, not a photo pack.
- Verify the audit ID yourself.
- Approve a fit sample before any bulk payment.
- Keep everything in one proforma invoice.
1. Start with the legal entity
Ask for the business licence and check three things: the company name, the registered address and the scope of business. Then compare the name with the bank account on the proforma invoice. A mismatch is the fastest way to lose money.
2. Confirm the workshop is real
Photos are easy to reuse. A live call is not. Ask your contact to walk from the cutting table to the sewing lines without stopping the camera. Look for the same floor, the same machines and ordinary clutter.
3. Check the social audit properly
Ask for the certificate and the amfori ID printed on it, then verify it. Our certificate carries amfori ID 156-069-839-000. An image of a logo proves nothing; an ID you can look up does.
4. Ask for the sample before the price list
A price list is a rumour. A sample is evidence: seam quality, measurement accuracy, trim choice. Request one fit sample and one pre-production sample, both signed and dated.
5. Read the payment terms like a contract
Deposit, balance and inspection point should be written down. If the balance is due before inspection, you have no leverage. Standard practice is a deposit, a shipping date and a balance against a final inspection report.
Documents to collect
| Document | What to check |
|---|---|
| Business licence | Legal name, address, business scope |
| Audit certificate | amfori ID verifiable, date current |
| Inspection form | AQL level and who signs |
| Proforma invoice | Same legal name as the bank account |
| Sample sign-off | Signed and dated by you |
Red flags
- Personal bank account instead of a company account.
- Refuses a live walk but sends a polished PDF.
- Audit certificate without an ID.
- Price that drops when you mention a competitor.
Next step
See the real floor on the Factory Show, check our compliance documents, then send your spec via Contact.