Blog
Expert insights on Chinese company verification, due diligence, and risk assessment
Best China Company Credit Check Websites: 2026 Top 10 Review
We reviewed 10 China company credit check websites used by international buyers. Coverage, English support, pricing, and which one to pick for your scenario.
China Credit Report Websites Compared: ChineseCheck vs ChinaCheckup
We compare ChineseCheck and ChinaCheckup head-to-head: data fields, pricing, freshness, and the COVID-era product collapse documented in Wayback Machine snapshots.
How to Avoid Getting Scammed Importing from China (2026 Complete Guide)
The comprehensive importer's guide to avoiding China supplier fraud in 2026. Top 10 scams ranked by frequency, a 10-step prevention framework, red-flag checklist, and what to do if scammed.
How to Check if a Chinese Company Has Lawsuits: 2026 Guide
Plain-English FAQ guide to finding lawsuits against Chinese companies. Where to search, which lawsuit types matter, and how to read Chinese court judgments.
China National Enterprise Credit Information System in English: 4 Ways to Actually Use It
The official China National Enterprise Credit Information System has no English version. Here are the 4 practical options to use it in English — with a pitfall decoder, translation walkthrough, and honest comparison.
How to Check If a Chinese Supplier Is a Real Factory or Trading Company (12 Methods)
12 practical, field-tested methods to verify whether your Chinese supplier is a genuine factory or a trading company in disguise — business license, VAT invoices, video calls, and more.
How to Spot Fake Suppliers on Alibaba: 15 Signals (2026 Guide)
Alibaba's badge system is imperfect. Learn the 15 concrete signals that expose fake suppliers on Alibaba — and how to cross-check the data with GSXT before you wire.
Alibaba Supplier Scam: How to Get Your Money Back (2026 Recovery Playbook)
Scammed by an Alibaba supplier? Recovery is possible — but timing is everything. Step-by-step paths through Trade Assurance disputes, credit card chargebacks, PayPal buyer protection, and wire recalls, with realistic success rates by payment method.
Chinese Supplier Took Deposit and Disappeared: The 48-Hour Recovery Playbook
Your Chinese supplier took a 30% deposit and went silent. Here's the brutal truth about recovery rates, the exact 48-hour action plan, and every legal escalation channel — from wire recalls to CIETAC arbitration to Chinese Public Security filings.
Chinese Supplier Sent Wrong Product? The 48-Hour Emergency Protocol to Recover Your Money
Your shipment arrived — wrong product, wrong spec, or wrong quality. You have 48 hours to lock down evidence, escalate through the right payment channel, and preserve your legal options. Here's the step-by-step emergency playbook.
Chinese Supplier Asking for Western Union: Is It a Scam? (99% Yes)
A Chinese supplier asking for Western Union is a near-certain scam signal. Here's why no legitimate B2B exporter uses WU, the scripts fraudsters use, and what to do instead.
Chinese Supplier Only Has a Mobile Number, No Landline? Here's What That Actually Means
A supplier that communicates only via mobile or WeChat — with no landline, no 400 hotline, no registered address you can verify — isn't automatically a scam, but the pattern is one of the strongest red flags in China sourcing. Learn the real meaning, the phone-number hierarchy, WeChat account types, and the 5-minute verification check.
Chinese Supplier Wants Payment to Personal Bank Account? STOP. Here's Why It's Almost Always Fraud
A Chinese supplier asking you to wire payment to a personal bank account instead of a corporate account is 99% a scam. Learn the 3 fraud patterns, PRC legal requirements, email hijack detection, and exact steps to verify before you send a single dollar.
Should I Pay 100% Upfront to a Chinese Supplier? (2026 Buyer's Guide)
Almost never. Learn why 100% upfront is the #1 red flag in China supplier fraud, the payment terms you should use instead, and scripts to counter-negotiate.
How to Protect Yourself When Paying a Chinese Factory: The 5-Phase Full-Stack Protection Framework (2026)
The full-stack protection framework for paying Chinese factories safely. 5 phases covering verification, payment method, contracts, production monitoring, and post-shipment recovery. With tables, scores, and checklists.
Chinese Supplier Asking for T/T Payment in Advance: Is It Normal? (2026 Guide)
Your Chinese supplier is asking for a T/T deposit before production. Is it normal or a scam? Complete guide to T/T in advance: industry-standard ratios (30/70, 50/50, 30/40/30), negotiation tactics, red flags, and how to protect your deposit.
Is It Safe to Wire Money to China for a Product Order? (2026)
T/T wire transfers are both the safest and riskiest way to pay Chinese suppliers. Here's how SWIFT works, why wires are nearly irreversible, and the 5 pre-wire checks that actually protect you.
China Company Credit Score: The 5 Rating Systems Foreign Buyers Need to Know
There is no single FICO-style China company credit score. Learn the 5 rating systems (SAMR, PBOC, Social Credit, D&B, third-party), how to decode them, and which one actually matters for supplier due diligence.
China Customs Data: How to Verify Suppliers with Import/Export Records (2026)
A complete guide to using Chinese customs data (进出口数据) to verify suppliers: free GACC sources, paid tools compared (ImportYeti, Panjiva, 52wmb, Datamyne), HS codes, and detecting fake exporters.
China Supplier Risk Assessment: A 6-Dimension Scoring Framework for Enterprise Buyers
A systematic, ISO 31000-aligned framework for China supplier risk assessment. Score every supplier across six dimensions — financial, legal, operational, compliance, geographic, and counterparty risk — using official data sources and weighted methodology.
Chinese Company Financial Report: What's Public, What's Hidden, and How to Read It
Foreign buyers want to see a Chinese supplier's revenue, assets, and liabilities before signing. Here's what financial data is legally public in China, what stays private, and how to infer financial health from limited filings.
US Import Data for China Suppliers: The Complete 2026 Playbook
How to use public US Customs import data (bills of lading) to verify Chinese suppliers, find their real US buyers, gauge shipment volumes, and spot fakes. With a full comparison of ImportYeti, Panjiva, ImportGenius, and Datamyne.
Amazon FBA Quality Control: The Chinese Supplier Playbook
A complete quality-control playbook for Amazon FBA sellers sourcing from China: AQL sampling, pre-shipment inspection, golden samples, and defect prevention.
China Factory Audit: The 2026 Buyer's Guide to All 5 Options
Compare in-person, virtual, self, document-based, and social compliance China factory audits. Real costs, what each catches, and when to use which.
How to Find a Chinese Private Label Manufacturer for Amazon
A step-by-step guide for Amazon sellers: where to find Chinese private label manufacturers, how to verify them, MOQs, NNN agreements, and IP protection.
China Supplier Verification for Amazon Sellers: 2026 Guide
A complete verification playbook for Amazon FBA private label sellers sourcing from China: licenses, IP, CPSC compliance, and account-safety checks.
China Supply Chain Due Diligence: The 2026 Enterprise Playbook
The 2026 enterprise guide to China supply chain due diligence: UFLPA, EU CSDDD, and German LkSG compliance, plus an 8-step framework for tier-N supplier verification.
18-Digit Chinese Business Registration Number: Format Guide
Decode the 18-digit Chinese business registration number char-by-char. Validate format, calculate the checksum, and spot errors before trusting a supplier.
China Company Registration Search: The 2026 Complete Guide
How to search China company registration records from abroad — official GSXT routes, English alternatives, and exactly what the data tells you about a supplier.
Legal Representative in China: Role, Powers & Liabilities
What is a Legal Representative (法定代表人) in China? Full guide to powers, personal liabilities, and how the role differs from a US CEO or UK director.
Chinese Business Registration Number Verification Guide
A supplier sent you a Chinese business registration number. Learn what it actually is, how to verify it, and how to spot fakes — with official sources.
National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System Guide
The definitive English guide to China's National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System (NECIPS) — what it contains, who runs it, and how to use it.
China Company Legal Representative Check: The 2026 Due Diligence Guide
Verifying the 法定代表人 of a Chinese company is the single highest-leverage due diligence step foreign buyers skip. Learn the 7 red flags, the legal powers, and how to check a legal rep's hidden history.
GSXT Company Search in English: The 2026 Complete Guide
How to search GSXT (China's official company registry) in English. Step-by-step workarounds, translation tips, and the data you can actually trust.
Qichacha & Tianyancha English Alternative (2026 Guide)
Qichacha and Tianyancha are powerful but Chinese-only and require a Chinese phone. Here's what they do, their blockers, and the best English alternatives.
How to Read a Chinese Business License in English (Full Guide)
Decode every field of a Chinese business license (营业执照) in English. Learn the 12 mandatory fields, how to spot fakes, and how to verify it is real.
Unified Social Credit Code Explained: The 18-Digit China Business ID
The Unified Social Credit Code is the 18-character ID every Chinese company carries. Learn how to decode, validate, and verify a USCC before you wire a dollar.
China Trading Company vs Manufacturer: How to Tell the Difference (2026)
Learn 7+ proven methods to tell if your Chinese supplier is a trading company or a real manufacturer. Business license checks, pricing analysis, factory visits, and more.
Chinese Supplier Bait and Switch: How It Works, Warning Signs, and How to Protect Yourself (2026)
Comprehensive guide to Chinese supplier bait-and-switch scams. Learn how they work, spot warning signs, protect your orders, and pursue legal recourse when quality doesn't match the sample.
Is 1688 Legit? The Complete Guide for International Buyers (2026)
Is 1688.com legit? Learn how China's largest domestic wholesale platform works, the real risks for foreign buyers, and how to verify 1688 suppliers before you pay.
Red Flags When Dealing with Chinese Suppliers: 18 Warning Signs You Cannot Ignore (2026)
18 critical red flags when dealing with Chinese suppliers. Learn the warning signs of fraud, poor quality, and contract risk before you wire money.
Safe Payment Methods for Chinese Suppliers: Complete Buyer Protection Guide (2026)
Compare safe payment methods for Chinese suppliers: T/T wire transfer, Letter of Credit, Alibaba Trade Assurance, PayPal, escrow. Risk levels, best practices, and red flags explained.
Alibaba Gold Supplier: What It Means and Why It's Not Enough
What Alibaba Gold Supplier status really means, how it works, its limitations, and why you need independent verification.
China Company Credit Report: What It Includes and How to Get One
Everything about Chinese company credit reports: what data they contain, official sources, how to obtain one, and what to look for.
Chinese Business License Verification: How to Check If It's Real
How to verify a Chinese business license: read key fields, check via GSXT, spot fakes, and understand the Unified Social Credit Code.
Chinese Supplier Scams: How to Identify and Avoid Them (2026)
Common Chinese supplier scams exposed: fake credentials, bait-and-switch, payment fraud. Learn prevention strategies from official sources.
How to Check If a Chinese Company Is Legit: 5 Verification Steps
5 steps to verify if a Chinese company is legitimate: registration check, court records, tax rating, operational status, and credit report.
How to Verify a Chinese Supplier: 7 Methods That Work (2026)
7 proven methods to verify Chinese suppliers before paying. Business license checks, court records, factory audits, and more.
Alibaba Scams in 2026: 10 Common Scams and How to Avoid Them
10 common Alibaba scams in 2026 and how to avoid them. Red flags, recovery steps, and proven supplier verification methods.
Alibaba Trade Assurance: What Buyers Must Know in 2026
Alibaba Trade Assurance explained: what it covers, limitations, claim process, and why independent supplier verification is still essential.
How to Find Chinese Suppliers: 6 Proven Methods (2026)
6 proven methods to find reliable Chinese suppliers: B2B platforms, trade shows, factory visits, sourcing agents, and verification tips.
How to Import from China: 8-Step Guide for 2026
Step-by-step guide to importing from China: supplier verification, customs clearance, shipping, payment terms, and quality inspection.
Is Alibaba Legit? Complete Guide to Safe Sourcing (2026)
Is Alibaba legit? Learn how to verify suppliers, spot scam red flags, and protect your business with independent Chinese company verification.
Is Alibaba Safe? Buyer Protection Guide for 2026
Is Alibaba safe to buy from? Analyze Alibaba security, buyer protection gaps, and how to verify suppliers independently.
How to Check Chinese Company Annual Reports: Why Missing Filings Are a Major Red Flag (2026 Guide)
Learn why Chinese company annual report filings matter for foreign business due diligence. Understand what happens when companies fail to file, how to check filing status, and what annual report data reveals about supplier reliability.
How to Check Chinese Company Bidding Records: Government Procurement Blacklists Explained (2026 Guide)
Learn how to check if a Chinese company is blacklisted from government procurement and bidding. Real case examples, official government platforms, and the fastest verification method for foreign businesses.
How to Check a Chinese Company's Intellectual Property Status Before Signing Any Deal (2026 Guide)
Before partnering with a Chinese company, verifying their intellectual property status is critical. Learn how China's first-to-file trademark system works, real cases of foreign companies losing millions, and how to check IP records without navigating Chinese government portals.
Understanding China's Enterprise Tiered Cultivation System: What 'Little Giant' and 'Specialized & Novel' Labels Mean for Foreign Buyers
Learn how China's official enterprise tiered cultivation system works—from SMEs to 'Little Giant' and 'Manufacturing Single Champion' labels. Discover why these government certifications matter for foreign business due diligence and supplier verification.
How to Check Chinese Company Enforcement Records: Executee, Dishonest Debtor & Consumption Restrictions (2026 Guide)
Learn how to check if a Chinese company is an executee, dishonest judgment debtor (laolai), or under consumption restrictions. Understand the 3 levels of enforcement risk, real case examples, and the fastest verification methods for foreign buyers.
How to Check Chinese Company Tax Credit Rating: Complete 2026 Guide
Learn how to check Chinese company tax credit ratings, tax compliance status, and tax arrears before doing business. Understand China's A/B/M/C/D taxpayer rating system and the fastest verification method for foreign businesses.
How to Check Chinese Company Administrative Penalties: Complete 2026 Guide
Learn how to check Chinese company administrative penalties, credit blacklists, business anomalies, and regulatory violations. Discover 5 critical risk signals and the fastest verification method for foreign businesses.
How to Check Chinese Company Litigation Records: Complete 2026 Guide
Learn how to check Chinese company litigation records, lawsuits, and court cases before doing business. Discover 5 legal red flags and the fastest verification method for foreign buyers.