China Factory Audit Checklist: 50-Point Inspection Guide
By MING Sourcing Team • Updated 2026
A factory audit is your best defense against quality problems, delivery delays, and compliance risks. Whether you're evaluating a new supplier or reviewing an existing one, this 50-point checklist covers everything to inspect — organized into the categories we use for every audit we conduct from our Shenzhen office.
Section 1: Business Legitimacy (Points 1-8)
- Business license is valid and matches the company name on all communications
- Registered capital is adequate for the order size you plan to place
- Years in business — verify founding date on the business license
- Export license is valid (if shipping directly)
- Tax registration is current
- Factory address matches the registered address
- Owner/GM is identifiable and accessible
- Company has a verifiable track record with international clients
Section 2: Production Capability (Points 9-18)
- Production floor is organized, clean, and well-lit
- Equipment is modern and well-maintained (check maintenance logs)
- Production capacity matches your volume requirements
- Current production utilization — a factory running at 95%+ may struggle with your timeline
- Raw material inventory is properly stored and labeled
- Production workflow is documented and followed
- Workers appear trained and competent at their stations
- Tooling and molds are properly maintained and organized
- Automation level is appropriate for the product complexity
- Sample room exists with organized product samples and prototypes
Section 3: Quality Management System (Points 19-30)
- ISO 9001 or equivalent quality management certification is current
- Incoming material inspection process is documented and followed
- In-process quality checks are performed at defined stages
- Final inspection procedure follows AQL standards
- Quality control lab exists with calibrated testing equipment
- Defect tracking and root cause analysis records are maintained
- Corrective action process exists for quality issues
- QC team is independent from production team
- Product testing reports are available for recent orders
- Customer complaint records exist and show resolution patterns
- Traceability system — can raw materials be traced to finished products?
- Calibration records for measuring and testing equipment
Section 4: Certifications and Compliance (Points 31-38)
- Product certifications are valid (CE, UL, FCC, RoHS as applicable)
- Certification test reports are from accredited labs (not self-declared)
- Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are available for key materials
- Environmental compliance (ISO 14001 if applicable)
- REACH compliance documentation (for EU markets)
- Product labeling meets destination country requirements
- Packaging materials comply with recycling regulations
- Factory has handled the specific certifications your market requires
Section 5: Working Conditions and Ethics (Points 39-44)
- Working hours comply with local labor laws
- Worker safety equipment is provided and used (goggles, gloves, ear protection)
- Emergency exits are clearly marked and unobstructed
- Fire extinguishers are present and regularly inspected
- Workers' dormitories (if applicable) meet basic standards
- No evidence of child labor or forced labor
Section 6: Commercial and Logistics (Points 45-50)
- Payment terms are standard (30/70 or Letter of Credit)
- Lead time commitments are realistic for the production capacity observed
- Packaging and labeling capabilities meet your requirements
- Shipping and logistics experience — can they arrange FOB/CIF?
- Communication responsiveness — do they reply within 24 hours?
- IP protection willingness — will they sign NNN agreements?
How to Score Your Audit
Rate each point on a 1-3 scale:
- 3 = Meets standards — fully compliant, well-documented
- 2 = Acceptable with conditions — minor issues that can be addressed
- 1 = Does not meet standards — significant concern, needs resolution before ordering
Score interpretation:
- 130-150: Excellent factory — proceed with confidence
- 100-129: Good factory — address specific issues before first order
- 70-99: Marginal — significant improvements needed before ordering
- Below 70: Not recommended — find an alternative supplier
MING's Factory Audit Service
Our Shenzhen team conducts professional factory audits across the Pearl River Delta. Every audit includes:
- On-site inspection using this 50-point checklist
- Photo and video documentation of facilities
- Verification of business licenses and certifications
- Structured audit report with scoring and recommendations
- Follow-up monitoring for corrective actions
Need a Factory Audit?
Our team will visit and evaluate any factory in the Pearl River Delta on your behalf.
Request Factory Audit