How to verify supplier certificates (e.g., CE, ISO)?
Certificates only help if you can verify them. Match the report to your exact product and company, confirm the issuing body is accredited, and demand the certificate before you order.
Supplier Verification & Communication
Evaluate Chinese suppliers, distinguish factories from trading companies, verify documents, and communicate clearly before placing an order.
How many suppliers should I contact for quotes?
Contact a serious pool of suppliers to see the price band, then narrow to two or three for samples and negotiation. Learn when to ask for more and when to stop.
How to know if a supplier outsources my orders?
Hidden outsourcing changes who controls your quality and evidence. Learn the questions that force the truth, the document name-match test, and when outsourcing actually matters.
Can I video call suppliers on Alibaba to see their factory?
Video calls are the cheapest way to eyeball a factory before committing. Learn what to watch, its limits, and when to upgrade to an on-site audit for larger orders.
What are Alibaba RFQs (Request for Quotations)?
Post a buying request once and suppliers compete to quote you. Learn free vs paid RFQ, how to write one that attracts good suppliers, and pick the best from the quote pool.
A supplier wants to chat on WhatsApp, is it safe?
Chatting on WhatsApp is safe and normal, but never conduct money or act on account changes through it. Keep payments and orders on the platform and important details in email.
Are Alibaba reviews accurate and real?
Some reviews are real and some are curated. Read negative reviews for patterns, trust photo reviews, and weigh everything against the company's registration, samples, and trial orders.
How to check a supplier's background and business license?
Verify a supplier with a business license and the official GSXT registry. Read the business scope, cross-check names on every document, and use VAT and audit reports to tell factory from trader.
How important is the response rate on Alibaba?
Response rate is a fast, valid signal of how a supplier treats buyers. Use 70% as your floor, but pair it with background checks and a real conversation, since speed is not proof of quality or honesty.
How to write the first inquiry to an Alibaba supplier?
A specific, concise first inquiry gets fast comparable quotes. Name the exact product, quantity, specs, destination, and timeline. Includes ready-to-use basic and custom templates.
Why do suppliers ignore my inquiries?
Suppliers triage buyers like sales leads. Vague requests, tiny quantities, unrealistic prices, impossible deadlines, and mass messages get you skipped. Learn what makes suppliers reply.
Factory vs trading company on Alibaba: how to tell the difference?
Telling a factory from a trading company is harder than it looks. Read the business license, address, product range, VAT invoice, and run a video call. Then pick the type that fits your business stage.
Are "Gold Suppliers" trustworthy?
The honest answer is: the label itself tells you nothing worth trusting. A "Gold Supplier" badge on Alibaba means the company paid a yearly membership fee. That is the entire meaning of the mark. It i
What does "Verified Supplier" mean?
A Verified Supplier badge is a paid membership, not a quality guarantee. Learn what it verifies, what it costs, and why it is only one small signal in your supplier vetting.
How to find a reliable supplier on Alibaba?
Reliable supplier selection is a funnel, not luck. Shortlist by history and location, ask identity questions, test with samples and trial orders, inspect before shipping, and match MOQ to reality.
How to contact factories in China directly?
5 channels to contact Chinese factories directly, from Alibaba RFQ to WeChat and WhatsApp. Learn how to write inquiry messages that get real responses, evaluate supplier replies, and avoid communication scams.
How to use ImportYeti to find Chinese suppliers?
ImportYeti is a free tool that turns 70 million US customs records into a searchable database. Learn how to find your competitors' suppliers, verify supplier claims, and discover factories not listed on Alibaba.
How to find direct factories in China without Alibaba?
Alibaba is one channel, not the only one. Learn 5 proven ways to find direct factories in China without Alibaba, including B2B platforms, trade fairs, wholesale markets, industrial clusters, and sourcing agents, with prices 5-10% lower.
Why do Chinese sellers like to add customers on WhatsApp?
Let me tell you the truth. First and foremost, domestic competition in China is incredibly fierce. Advertising fees and transaction commissions on thi...