Vetting a Chinese parts factory: a due-diligence checklist
Before a first order, the signals that separate a reliable manufacturer from a trading company or a risky one-off shop.
Manufacturer, not middleman
Confirm the supplier actually makes the part rather than reselling it. Ask about equipment, capacity and the specific process for your part. A real manufacturer can talk in detail about tolerances and failure modes; a trader changes the subject.
Certifications and quality system
ISO 9001 is the baseline; IATF 16949 or AS9100 raise it for automotive and aerospace-grade work. Verify the certificate is current and covers the relevant scope. Ask how they handle non-conformance and corrective action.
Evidence, not promises
Ask for inspection reports, past export records and references. For a critical joint part, a first-article inspection and a pre-shipment check are cheap insurance against a batch problem that could stall a whole build. Dual-source the parts you can't afford to have slip.
Describe it and let the agent bring back ranked, comparable quotes.