Sourcing
Supplier audit checklist
PDFExcel
A structured checklist for assessing a new or existing supplier on site, from legal status to labour standards.
View template: Supplier audit checklist
China sourcing checklist
A step-by-step checklist for sourcing from China, from finding suppliers to goods arriving in the UK.
Sourcing from China can lower product costs, but problems usually come from steps that were skipped: a supplier that was never checked, a sample that was not signed off or a shipment that was never inspected.
This checklist takes you through each stage in order: supplier search and verification, samples, commercial terms, contracts, production, quality inspection, shipping and UK import. Tick each item off before moving on.
Free to download. Available as PDF and Excel.
China sourcing checklist
What's included
- Supplier search and verification checks
- Sample request and approval steps
- Pricing, MOQ and payment terms
- Contract and intellectual property points
- Production monitoring and quality inspection
- Shipping, Incoterms and insurance
- UK customs, duty and VAT steps
How to use this template
- Start at the top and complete each stage before the next.
- Verify that each supplier is a genuine manufacturer before requesting samples.
- Approve a golden sample and keep it as the quality reference.
- Agree price, MOQ, payment and Incoterms in writing.
- Book a pre-shipment inspection before paying the balance.
- Confirm the commodity code and duty before goods arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Check the business licence, visit or audit the factory, ask for references and confirm the company actually makes the product rather than trading it.
Not always, but local help with verification, inspection and negotiation reduces risk. Ask any agent how they are paid, as some take commission from factories.
It depends on the commodity code. Check the UK Global Tariff for your product before you place the order.
Need help putting this into practice?
Every engagement is managed by our founder, starting with objectives agreed with you. Book an introductory call to see how our china and offshore sourcing work could help.
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