Every year, importers from the Gulf lose money not because Chinese manufacturing is unreliable — it isn't, it's some of the most capable in the world — but because they skip basic due diligence before placing an order. Here are the eight checks that matter most.
1. Business License and Legal Registration
Ask for the factory's business license (营业执照). It shows the legal company name, registered capital, business scope, and registration date. Cross-check the name on the license against the name on the bank account you'll be wired to — a mismatch is one of the most common signs of a middleman posing as a factory.
2. Production Capacity vs. Your Order Volume
A factory that promises your full order in two weeks regardless of size is either exaggerating or planning to subcontract without telling you. Ask directly: how many production lines, how many workers, how many units per day for this specific product.
3. Quality Control Process
Ask specifically: do they inspect raw materials on arrival? Do they perform in-process inspection, or only a final check? Do they have their own QC team? Factories with a real QC process answer these questions specifically and quickly.
4. Certifications Relevant to Your Market
Certification requirements differ by country. For goods shipped to Gulf countries, check for relevant standards such as ISO/TS certifications, SASO conformity (Saudi Arabia), or ECAS/G-Mark requirements where applicable — don't assume a factory automatically knows Gulf-specific requirements.
5. Payment Terms and Trade Assurance
A standard structure is 30% deposit, 70% before shipment. Be cautious of factories insisting on 100% upfront, especially on a first order. Where possible, use protected payment methods (Alibaba Trade Assurance, letters of credit) rather than direct bank transfer alone until trust is established.
6. Lead Time Realism
Ask for production lead time in writing and compare it to the factory's stated capacity. A gap between claimed and realistic lead time will show up later as a delay — usually discovered only after your shipping window is already booked.
7. Packaging and Export Experience
Not every factory that makes a good product knows how to package it correctly for ocean freight to Gulf ports. Ask if they have prior export experience to the Middle East specifically, and request photos of export packaging from previous orders.
8. Communication Consistency
The most overlooked check: test the relationship on a smaller scale first. How quickly do they respond? Do they proactively flag issues or only respond when asked? A factory that communicates honestly about a small delay on a sample order is far more trustworthy than one that goes silent.
A Simple Pre-Order Checklist
- Business license verified and matches banking details
- Factory video call or in-person visit completed
- Sample received and approved
- Certifications relevant to destination market confirmed
- Payment terms agreed and documented in writing
- Lead time confirmed and cross-checked against capacity
- Export packaging examples reviewed
- Third-party inspection booked before shipment (recommended for first 2–3 orders)
How Keerki Helps
Keerki Limited operates from Guangzhou, and our team physically visits factories on behalf of our Gulf-based clients before any deposit is paid. We verify licenses, inspect production lines, negotiate terms, and stay present through production and loading.
