supplier verification NZ
The most expensive mistake an NZ importer can make is sending a deposit to a supplier who doesn’t exist, can’t manufacture your product, or has a history of fraud. Epic Sourcing’s supplier verification service checks every factory before you commit. Business registration, licences, production capability, export history — all verified. Flat project rate.
Supplier fraud, ghost factories, and capability misrepresentation are real risks in Chinese and Vietnamese sourcing markets. Our verification process confirms your supplier is who they say they are — before your deposit is sent.
We confirm the factory is a legally registered business in China or Vietnam — verifying business licence, registration number, legal name, and trading status against official government registries.
We confirm the factory can actually manufacture your product — correct equipment, correct materials, relevant production experience. Many Alibaba “factories” are traders with no production capability at all.
We check the factory’s export record and where possible verify references from existing customers. A factory with a strong export history to reputable markets is a fundamentally lower risk.
We verify any certifications the factory claims to hold — ISO, BSCI, OEKO-TEX, CE, and others. Fake certification claims are common. We confirm authenticity directly with the issuing body where possible.
The most common way NZ importers lose money isn't bad quality or late shipments. It's sending a deposit to a supplier who turns out to be a trader, a ghost factory, or in the worst cases, a fraud.
Supplier verification is the step that prevents this. Before you send a dollar — before you even negotiate a price — you should know exactly who you're dealing with.
Epic Sourcing's supplier verification service gives you a documented report on your supplier's legitimacy, capability, and history. Done by our Mandarin-speaking team using Chinese and Vietnamese government databases, trade records, and direct factory assessment.
Business registration and legal status
We verify the supplier is a legitimately registered business in China or Vietnam. This includes confirming the legal business name, registration number, registered address, business scope, and current trading status using official government company registries. A supplier who can't be verified in the registry doesn't legally exist as a business.
Factory vs trading company identification
One of the most common sourcing problems: you think you're dealing with a manufacturer but you're actually dealing with a trading company. Traders add margin, have no production control, and can't customise products. We confirm whether your supplier actually manufactures the product or sources it from elsewhere.
Production capability assessment
We verify the factory has the equipment, workforce, and materials to produce your specific product. A garment factory can't make electronics. A furniture factory can't make food products. Scope misrepresentation is common — we confirm the factory's actual production capability against your brief.
Export history review
We check the factory's history of exporting to similar markets. Factories with a strong record of exporting to Australia, the UK, or the US operate at a compliance and quality standard that's relevant for NZ importers. Factories with no export history or a history of complaints are flagged.
Certification verification
We verify that certifications the factory claims to hold are genuine. ISO 9001, BSCI, OEKO-TEX, CE, and other certificates can be forged or expired. We confirm authenticity directly with the issuing body where possible, or through accredited verification channels.
Physical address and premises verification
We confirm the factory address is real and the premises match the claimed production capability. Ghost factory addresses — where a residential or commercial office address is presented as a manufacturing facility — are a known fraud pattern.
Epic Sourcing delivers a written verification report covering all checked elements, with a clear recommendation — proceed with confidence, proceed with caution, or do not proceed. The report is delivered within 5–10 business days depending on the complexity of the verification.
Book a free discovery call. Tell us your supplier's name and location and we'll tell you what a verification report covers for that factory and what it costs. Flat project rate. No commission.
We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions to help you get the information you need.
Epic Sourcing verifies business registration and legal status, confirms whether the supplier is a manufacturer or trader, assesses production capability against your product brief, reviews export history, verifies claimed certifications, and confirms the physical address. You receive a written report with a clear recommendation.
Most supplier verification reports are delivered within 5–10 business days. More complex verifications — particularly for factories in less accessible regions or with limited documentation — may take longer. Epic Sourcing provides a realistic timeline at the scoping stage.
You can, but documentation provided by the supplier hasn't been independently verified. Business licences, ISO certificates, and BSCI reports can be forged or be expired. Epic Sourcing verifies documents through official government registries and directly with certification bodies — not just by reviewing what the supplier sends you.
A manufacturer makes the product. A trading company buys it from manufacturers and resells it. Trading companies add margin, can't customise products, and have no control over production quality. For most NZ importers, dealing directly with the manufacturer is significantly better. Epic Sourcing's verification identifies which one your supplier actually is.
Alibaba reviews are managed by the platform, not independently verified. Factories can accumulate positive reviews for small sample orders while performing poorly on bulk production. Supplier verification goes deeper than platform reviews — checking legal registration, export history, and physical capability.
Epic Sourcing charges a flat fee for supplier verification reports, agreed upfront before work begins. The fee varies depending on the scope of verification required. Get in touch with your supplier's details and we'll provide a clear quote.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Send your questions to our friendly team.
We're here to make sourcing simple – and a whole lot less stressful.
Our pricing is built for growing businesses — clear, flexible, and packed with value. Let’s make sourcing simple — and affordable.
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