Factory Audit China
Verify your China supplier with an independent factory audit before placing your first order.
A supplier that looks good on paper may not have the capacity, process control, or quality systems your order requires. CloudSpects sends a China-based auditor to inspect the facility, interview management, review documentation, and capture photo evidence — so you know who you're really working with before you commit.
What a factory audit checks in China
Verify the factory has enough production lines, machines, and labor to deliver your order on time. We check capacity utilization, machine count, maintenance records, and shift schedules.
Review the supplier's QC procedures, incoming material inspection, in-process checks, final inspection, testing equipment calibration, and defect tracking system.
Inspect business licenses, export qualifications, certifications (ISO, BSCI, FDA, CE), worker safety, and environmental permits. Photocopy key documents for your records.
Capture current photos of the production floor, warehouse, loading area, and office. Flag risk signals such as subcontractor reliance, high turnover, or overcapacity commitments.
Factory audit scope — what gets checked
- Production capacity — lines, output volume per month, lead time for typical orders, and peak utilization rates.
- Process control — SOP documentation, worker training records, defect tracking, and corrective action procedures.
- QC system — incoming inspection, in-process QC, final inspection, testing equipment, and calibration logs.
- Social compliance documents — business license, export rights, certifications (ISO 9001, BSCI, FDA, CE, FSC), and environmental permits.
- Facility condition — cleanliness, organization, lighting, ventilation, safety equipment, and warehouse storage conditions.
- Photo documentation — 30-50 current photos covering production floor, equipment, warehouse, office, and any red flags observed.
Best time to audit a new supplier
Timing your factory audit correctly gives you maximum leverage in the supplier relationship. The most effective checkpoints are:
- Before sample order — Qualify the supplier before you invest in tooling, samples, or NRE fees. Eliminates unreliable factories early.
- Before first production — Confirm the factory can handle your order before they start cutting material. Avoids mid-production surprises.
- When capacity is uncertain — If the supplier claims they can deliver faster or in larger volumes than competitors, verify with an on-site check.
- When switching suppliers — A new factory partnership should always start with an audit, even if the supplier came recommended.
A factory audit is not a one-time event. For recurring orders, schedule annual or bi-annual re-audits to catch changes in management, equipment, or working conditions.
Factory audit vs product inspection — what's the difference
Many importers confuse factory audits with product inspections, but they serve different purposes at different stages:
- Factory audit evaluates the supplier's capability — can they make your product to the required standard? Done before you order.
- Pre-shipment inspection (PSI) evaluates the finished batch — did they actually make it correctly? Done after production, before shipment.
- During production inspection (DPI) evaluates work in progress — are they making it correctly so far? Done at 10-20% production milestone.
Most importers benefit from a factory audit for new suppliers, combined with PSI or DPI for each production run. See our China inspection services page for the full picture.
Book a China factory audit
CloudSpects factory audits start from $169 per man-day in major China manufacturing hubs. The auditor visits your supplier's facility, completes the full scope, and delivers a written report with photo documentation in about 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How is a factory audit different from an inspection?
A factory audit evaluates the supplier's overall capability, capacity, and systems — it answers the question "can this factory make good products?" A product inspection checks the actual output of a specific order — it answers "did this batch come out correctly?" Audits happen before you order; inspections happen during or after production.
How much does a factory audit in China cost?
CloudSpects factory audits start from $169 per man-day. Most single-factory audits take one day. The final price depends on factory location (tier-2 cities may add travel), the scope of the audit (basic vs comprehensive), and the number of production lines to assess.
What information does the factory audit report include?
Your audit report includes: factory profile and contact verification, production capacity assessment, process control evaluation, QC system review, social compliance document copies, facility condition notes, 30-50 current photos, and a risk rating summary with recommendations.
Should I audit every new China supplier?
At minimum, audit any supplier you haven't worked with before, especially if the order value exceeds $5,000 or the product has quality or safety requirements. For repeat orders from known suppliers, a re-audit every 12-18 months is good practice to catch changes in ownership, equipment, or working conditions.