A supplier website, catalog or low price does not prove that a company is suitable for your order. Verification should focus on the exact product, legal counterparty, approval process and evidence the buyer will rely on before paying.
This checklist complements our full guide on choosing a custom toy manufacturer in China. Use it when shortlisting suppliers or reviewing a quotation.
1. Verify the Legal Company and Payment Counterparty
- Request the registered company name and business address.
- Confirm the name shown on the quotation, invoice and payment account.
- Ask for an explanation when the sales company, factory and payment recipient are different.
- Independently verify any last-minute payment-account change by a second communication channel.
2. Confirm the Exact Product Version
Ask the supplier to identify the SKU, dimensions, material, color, function, accessories and packaging included in the quote. Similar catalog photos may represent different versions. The sample, test documents and bulk order should all reference the same configuration.
3. Request Current Product Evidence
- Current photos or a dated video of the exact product
- Available stock colors and logo positions
- Function demonstration for electronic or mechanical items
- Packaging and carton examples
- Production or assembly evidence relevant to the order
Do not treat generic factory images or unrelated production lines as proof of capability for the specific item.
4. Separate Stock-Logo, Private Label and OEM/ODM Scope
Ask which work the supplier performs, coordinates or outsources. A stock product with logo printing is different from a custom color, new package, modified structure or new mold. The quotation should state the selected route and what is excluded.
5. Review MOQ and Charges Line by Line
- MOQ for the exact product and customization
- Unit or bundle price
- Printing, setup or plate charge
- Sample and courier cost
- Packaging, labels, testing and inspection
- Freight, duties and destination charges
A low MOQ may apply only to existing stock colors and a simple logo. Confirm what changes when quantity, color, packaging or function changes.
6. Approve a Sample Against Written Criteria
Record the model, dimensions, color, function, artwork, logo size, packing and any acceptable tolerances. A photo approval may be enough for some simple repeat orders, while a physical sample is appropriate when material feel, function, fit, color or packaging matters.
Use the sample approval checklist to define what the sample proves.
7. Match Compliance Evidence to the Finished Product
Ask for the report number, laboratory, date, tested product identification, photos, materials, standards and clauses. A certificate for one model does not automatically cover another. Confirm the destination market, intended age and responsible importer before deciding whether an existing report is usable or fresh testing is required.
See the product-specific compliance review policy.
8. Agree on Quality-Control and Inspection Scope
- Approved specification and defect definitions
- Function and appearance checks
- Logo, color and packaging checks
- Quantity and carton verification
- Sampling plan and release rule
- Responsibility for rework or replacement
For higher-risk orders, consider an independent pre-shipment inspection using an agreed checklist.
9. Verify the Production and Shipping Schedule
Separate sample, artwork approval, production, inspection and transport time. Ask what event starts each stage and what can delay it. Shipping promises should state the destination, carton data, battery information, service level and whether customs clearance is included.
10. Keep a Written Change Record
Any change to product, material, color, logo, packaging, quantity, testing or delivery can affect price and timing. Confirm changes in writing and update the approved specification before production continues.
Supplier Verification Questions
- Which exact SKU and configuration is included in this quote?
- Who manufactures, prints, assembles and packs the order?
- Which company will issue the invoice and receive payment?
- What evidence supports the product and compliance claims?
- What must be approved before production starts?
- What is excluded from the price and shipping scope?
- How will defects, delays or specification changes be handled?
Prepare a Verifiable RFQ
Send the exact product or reference, quantity, logo, packaging, destination and deadline. We will identify the product route and the evidence or approvals needed before quotation.