Guangzhou’s industrial clusters are huge; some companies are real factories while others are trading offices. If you don’t check carefully before sending money, you might end up dealing with a middleman or scam. Fortunately, you can do a solid verification in just two days if you know what to look for.
Check the legal paperwork
A legitimate Chinese factory has a business license called 营业执照. Ask for a clear scan or photo of this document. Look at the Unified Social Credit Code (USCC) – an 18-digit number that uniquely identifies the company – and the Chinese company name. These details should match the names and codes on quotations, invoices and official stamps. The business scope on the license should include words like ‘manufacture’, ‘production’ or ‘加工’ rather than just ‘sales’ or ‘贸易’. If the names or scope do not align, it’s a warning sign.
Cross-check public records and bank details
Use the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System (国家企业信用信息公示系统) to confirm the company’s registration, status and legal representative. The site is in Chinese but is a reliable way to ensure the business license is genuine. It’s also wise to ask for the factory’s corporate bank account details. In China, payments for production should go to a corporate account that matches the registered company name; never transfer money to an individual’s account or a different company. Request a copy of the bank account opening licence and check that the company stamp on the proforma invoice matches the stamp on the license.
Confirm the address and production site
If the address on the business license is in a residential building or an office tower, the company might be a trading firm. Use a map service to check whether it’s an industrial area. You can also ask the supplier to arrange a live video call from the factory. During the call, look for production lines, workers in uniform, and raw materials on the floor. Details like production schedules on whiteboards, safety posters on the walls and equipment appropriate for the product category all indicate a working factory, whereas an empty office or showroom is a red flag.
Ask for operational evidence
Reputable factories maintain records to manage quality. These include incoming quality control logs, in-process checks, final inspection reports, equipment maintenance records and calibration certificates. If you are sourcing electronics, ask about test fixtures and firmware version control. For garments, ask for size-set approvals, shade bands and metal detection records. Professional factories are proud to share these documents because they show their ability to manage orders and meet standards. If the supplier refuses or delays, they may not have a stable system.
Run a small documented test
Before placing a large order, consider a small trial order with full documentation. Provide a clear specification and ask for a proforma invoice stamped with the red company chop. When you receive the sample shipment, evaluate both the product quality and the paperwork: does the invoice carry the correct company name? Are the labels and packaging accurate? Did the shipment arrive on time? This test not only verifies the factory’s capability, but also reveals how they communicate, handle changes and resolve small issues.
Conclusion
Verifying a Guangzhou factory within 48 hours is about combining paperwork checks, public record searches and direct evidence. Reviewing the business license and bank account, checking the company on official websites, inspecting the production site virtually and placing a trial order will significantly reduce the risk of working with a trading company or scam. While more complex or high-value projects still require on-site audits, these quick steps help you identify reliable suppliers before investing more time and money.