Verify Factory-Level Certifications
Request ISO 9001 and any relevant social compliance audit documentation (e.g. BSCI) directly, and confirm the certificate’s validity dates rather than accepting a logo on a website at face value.
Ask for a Factory Tour, Virtual or In-Person
A manufacturer confident in its operation should readily offer an in-person or live video factory tour — hesitation here is a meaningful signal worth weighing.
Review Sample Policy and Fee Structure
Understand whether the sample fee is refundable against a production order, and be cautious of factories unwilling to provide a paid sample before requesting a large deposit.
Confirm Communication and Account Management Structure
Ask who your day-to-day contact will be through the full process — sample, production and after-sales — since fragmented account ownership is a common source of miscommunication in cross-border manufacturing relationships.