I already have suppliers
Confirm the production address, agree the meeting scope and collect evidence about the suppliers on your shortlist.
Factory visits
Factory visits in China
Arrange supplier appointments, production-site checks and local interpreting. For multiple locations and follow-up support, see our sourcing trips.
VISITS · ON THE FLOORPhoto pending
The difference
Define what you need to check
Choose the questions the visit should answer: the supplier's role, production capability, technical requirements or order terms. Our supplier checks explain what evidence to collect.
Identify whether the supplier manufactures, trades or combines both roles, then confirm the production address and staff needed for your meeting. See factory and trading-company checks.
Start where you are
Three ways to start a visit.
I need help finding factories
Start with your product and quantity. Find relevant regions and supplier types before arranging appointments.
I am exploring the industry
You want to understand the landscape before committing. Start with the regions and industries, then turn it into a route.
Agree the scope
Confirm the support you need
Items to agree in your visit brief
- 01.Supplier and production-address checks to agree before booking
- 02.Appointments with the staff needed for your technical or commercial questions
- 03.Local transport and interpreting, where included in your agreed scope
- 04.The records, meeting notes and follow-up you want delivered
Send your product, dates, supplier addresses and the decisions you need to make. Use the visit budget guide to check costs and exclusions. After the visits, use the supplier comparison template to organise the evidence.
Boundaries
What we will not do.
Listed here rather than left for you to discover halfway through.
- We do not guarantee entry to a named brand factory — we check feasibility and arrange a comparable alternative where the answer is no.
- We do not pass off a casual visit as a formal audit or product inspection.
- We do not take undisclosed commissions from factories.
- We do not promise filming access we have not confirmed in writing.
Know the terms
Factory visit, audit and inspection are three different things.
Mixing them up is how buyers overpay, or get promised a standard nobody certified.
| Dimension | Factory visitwhat we run | Factory auditcoordinated with specialists | Product inspectiona separate discipline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core question | Is this the right partner? | Does the factory meet a standard? | Does this batch meet the spec? |
| What gets checked | Licence, scope, floor, capacity, decision-maker | Systems, records, compliance evidence | The units in one specific order |
| Who does the work | Our team, on the ground | Certified auditors we coordinate | Independent QC inspectors |
| Deliverable | A written visit report | A formal audit report | An inspection report |
| What ChinaFactoryHost provides | Yes — this is our core | Coordination only | Coordination only |
- Factory visit
- Core questionIs this the right partner?
- What gets checkedLicence, scope, floor, capacity, decision-maker
- Who does the workOur team, on the ground
- DeliverableA written visit report
- What ChinaFactoryHost providesYes — this is our core
- Factory audit
- Core questionDoes the factory meet a standard?
- What gets checkedSystems, records, compliance evidence
- Who does the workCertified auditors we coordinate
- DeliverableA formal audit report
- What ChinaFactoryHost providesCoordination only
- Product inspection
- Core questionDoes this batch meet the spec?
- What gets checkedThe units in one specific order
- Who does the workIndependent QC inspectors
- DeliverableAn inspection report
- What ChinaFactoryHost providesCoordination only
A visit is not an audit and neither is an inspection. We do not pass a casual visit off as a formal audit; when you need one, we coordinate the right specialist and keep our own role explicit.
The full three-way distinction is in the guide.
Where to start
Pick a region, or a category.
Questions buyers ask before booking.
Can foreigners visit factories in China?
Yes, but a public factory directory is not the same as a walk-in. Visits are arranged by appointment, in advance, with the factory that actually makes your product. That arrangement — and knowing which factories will agree — is most of the service.
How is a factory visit different from a factory tour?
A tour shows you around. A visit is built around a decision — whether this supplier is real, can hold your volume, and can say yes to your terms. The itinerary is your shortlist, not a sightseeing loop.
How many factories can I visit in one day?
Allow a full day for a detailed production and technical review. Two focused appointments may fit when sites are close and both hosts confirm the timing. The route, access and meeting scope determine the schedule.
How far in advance should I book?
Appointments are confirmed in advance, so the earlier the better — and if you need filming permission, that has its own lead time. We confirm what is realistic for your dates before you book a flight.
What if the factory says no?
We review alternatives with you. Access and timing must be confirmed with each host; a replacement appointment is not guaranteed.
