Supplier health check. Know who you are buying from.
A supplier health check is a structured screen of a new factory's identity, capability and working style before you order samples or tooling. Answer 16 questions and this tool gives a weighted score out of 100, the supplier's strengths, the points worth checking next and a recommended next step.
- Free, no sign-up
- Runs in your browser
- Save as PDF or email it
Saved. Want a copy in your inbox or on WhatsApp as well? Optional.
Three steps. One clear answer.
- 01
Answer each signal with Yes, Partly, Not yet or Unknown, based on what you have verified so far.
- 02
Read the health score, the score for each group and the list of strengths.
- 03
Work through the points worth checking next, then take the recommended step: verification, an audit or a trial order with inspection.
Each of the 16 signals has a weight: business licence and factory address 3 each; samples to specification and acceptance of third-party inspection 2.5 each; manufacturer status, export history, capacity and in-house QC 2 each; certificates, in-house processes, payment terms and references 1.5 each; years in business, response time, quote clarity and NDA 1 each. Yes scores 1, Partly 0.5, Not yet and Unknown 0. The health score is the weighted total divided by the maximum, times 100. Identity is verified against official registers: China's National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System (Unified Social Credit Code), India's GST portal (GSTIN) and Vietnam's National Business Registration Portal.
- China: National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System
- India: GST taxpayer search
- Vietnam: National Business Registration Portal
Results are estimates to support your decisions. For binding figures, ask our team or your customs broker.
Straight answers.
Anything else, ask us directly. A principal replies, not a bot.
anirudh@sourcesquid.coHow do I check if a Chinese supplier is legitimate?
Ask for the business licence and look up its 18-character Unified Social Credit Code on the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System. Check that the name, address and business scope match, then confirm the factory with a video walk-through or an audit.
How do I verify an Indian supplier?
Search the supplier's GSTIN on the GST portal to confirm the legal name, status and registered address, and its CIN on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs site if it is a company. Then confirm the production address in person or by audit.
Is a trading company a poor choice?
Not always. A good trading company adds value in sourcing and follow-up. What matters is transparency: it should name the factory and accept inspection there.
When should I book a factory audit?
Before paying for tooling or a first bulk order, and whenever the licence, address or capability cannot be confirmed remotely. An audit checks the quality system, capacity, machines and people on site.
What payment terms are reasonable with a new supplier?
A 30% deposit with the order and the 70% balance against a copy of the bill of lading, or after a passed pre-shipment inspection, is the common starting point.
Tools that work well together.
Turn this result into a free teardown.
Send one drawing, photo or quote. A principal returns how it is made, where it is made best and a realistic target price, free, in 48 hours.