Factory audit & verification
Before you order, see on site that the factory really exists and can deliver
Yeni İpekyolu visits your potential supplier's facility in China and reviews the production line, capacity and documents. With a Turkish report backed by photos, you decide knowing who you will work with.
Factory audit in China: comparing the facility in the photos with reality
Why verify the factory before the first large order?
In remote correspondence every company presents itself in the best light. The large production halls on a website, certificate images and the phrase “our own factory” do not always reflect reality. Some firms take the order and pass it on to another workshop, while others lack the capacity to handle your volume. Discovering this after paying the deposit means losing both time and money. At Yeni İpekyolu we help you remove this risk at the very start by confirming the facility's address, ownership and production strength on site before any deposit.
A factory audit is not only for suspicious cases. When you want to build a long-term relationship with a good supplier, getting to know the facility, which products they are strong in, which customer groups they produce for and how they work in peak season gives you negotiating power. Chinese manufacturers take a buyer who visits their facility more seriously; a visit is also a valuable step in strengthening the relationship (guanxi). Meeting the production manager and the sales lead during the visit also means you know whom to contact if a problem arises later.
What does our auditor look at in the facility?
The visit starts by checking whether the company's business licence (营业执照) matches the facility address and company name. Then the production area, machinery, headcount, shift pattern and raw-material store are reviewed. We check whether work similar to your product is on the line at that moment, because real production is the most reliable evidence. Quality control points, measuring instruments, testing equipment and how defective products are separated are also key sections of our report.
On the document side we look at management system certificates such as ISO, product test reports and export records, and confirm their validity where possible. Basic observations on social compliance, occupational safety and environmental matters are also noted; this information is especially important for buyers who sell to Europe. All observations are documented with photos and short videos, so reading the report feels as if you had seen the facility with your own eyes. We also check separately whether the company name on the documents is the same as on the business licence; a certificate in another name may point to a different facility.
At the end of the audit day we hold a short meeting with factory management to clarify any open questions face to face. Topics such as lead times, peak-season planning, use of subcontractors and how they act when quality problems arise are asked in this meeting. Whether the answers are consistent with our observations is assessed separately in the report. For example, if a process the manager says is done in-house was not visible on the floor, we state this clearly in the report and turn it, together with you, into a clause for the contract. Verbal commitments thus become written assurances.
From report to decision: how to use the audit result
Our report is more than a “pass/fail” label. Strengths, points requiring attention and recommended actions appear under separate headings. For example, if capacity is sufficient but quality control is weak, we recommend making a pre-shipment inspection mandatory for the first order. If the factory is strong but some documents are missing, we advise adding their completion before the order to the contract. In this way the report turns directly into your order conditions.
When you audit several candidates, comparison is easy because the reports follow the same template. At Yeni İpekyolu we can combine the audit with our supplier sourcing, sample and production follow-up services in one file. Because the team that performed the audit can return to the same facility during production, the process continues to be followed by people who already know the factory. The direct contact established during the audit also speeds up communication on later orders.
Who needs a factory audit?
Buyers about to pay a large deposit for the first time
If you are about to make a significant payment to a new supplier for the first time, an audit gives you peace of mind. You make sure the money goes to a real manufacturer.
Suppliers to large retail chains
If your customers expect certain standards across your supply chain, you see in advance how close the manufacturer is to them. You get the chance to close gaps before ordering.
Managers who cannot travel to China
If your schedule or visa timeline does not allow it, our team becomes your eyes. If you wish, you can also tour the facility remotely via a live video link during the visit.
Sections included in the audit report
Identity and registry verification
The business licence, scope of activity, registered address and facility address are compared. Whether the company is a factory or a trading company is clarified.
Production capacity and equipment
Number and condition of machines, line structure, headcount and shift pattern are reviewed. A realistic capacity assessment relative to your order volume is made.
Quality management
Incoming material inspection, in-process checks, final inspection and handling of defective products are observed. The presence of measuring and testing equipment is noted.
Documents and certificates
Management system certificates, product test reports and documents showing export experience are reviewed. Where possible, certificate validity is checked.
Working conditions and safety observations
Observations on occupational safety, housekeeping and basic social compliance are recorded. This section is especially important for those selling to corporate customers.
Management interview and recommendations
A summary of the interview with factory management and its consistency with our observations is added to the report. The conclusion contains concrete recommendations that can be turned into order conditions.
Service summary and requirements
| Audit locations | Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Yiwu, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing and surrounding provinces |
|---|---|
| Report language | Turkish; English on request |
| Pricing | Per-company quote based on location and audit scope |
| Service languages | Turkish · Chinese · English |
| Cities served | Guangzhou · Shenzhen · Yiwu · Shanghai · Hangzhou · Beijing (coordinated from our Istanbul office) |
The final price and timeline depend on the scope; we send you a clear quote promptly.
What you need to provide
- Name and contact details of the company to be audited
- The product you plan to order and its estimated volume
- Issues critical to you and required certificates
- Quotes and correspondence from the supplier (if any)
How is a factory audit planned and carried out?
- 1
Defining the scope
We listen to your product, order volume and the issues that are critical for you. We adapt the audit checklist to these priorities.
- 2
Preliminary registry review
Before the visit we check the company's registered details. If there are inconsistencies we inform you before the visit.
- 3
Appointment and on-site visit
We plan the visit by contacting the factory in Chinese, and our team tours the facility. Observations are recorded with photos and video.
- 4
Report delivery and review
We send you the Turkish report and, if you wish, review the results together in a short call. We prepare in Chinese any requests to be passed on to the Chinese side.
Frequently asked questions
What if the factory does not allow an audit?
The vast majority of genuine, serious manufacturers treat buyer visits as normal. A company that keeps postponing the visit or suggests a different address is itself giving important information; we report this to you clearly.
Do you carry out audits unannounced?
We usually visit by appointment, as this is needed to meet the responsible people and see documents. In special cases a visit at short notice can also be arranged; we choose the method together with you.
Is an audit the same as quality control?
No. A factory audit evaluates the facility itself and its production capability and is usually done before ordering. Quality control inspects your manufactured goods during production or before shipment.
Can I join the audit live?
Yes, in the areas the factory permits we can tour the facility together over a video call. We interpret your questions into Chinese in real time.
Can I share the report with the supplier?
The report belongs to you and you can use it as you wish. We can help you pass your improvement requests on to the supplier as a summary rendered into Chinese.
Can more than one factory be audited in a day?
This is possible if the factories are in the same area and the scope allows. Since distances in China can be large, we plan the route by geographic proximity.
How far in advance should I let you know?
A few days are ideal to arrange the appointment with the factory and carry out the preliminary review. Since factories may be closed during Chinese New Year and the Golden Week in early October, we plan around those dates.
Tell us what you need in China
Our consultant reviews your needs for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
