This topic is to inform buyers about audit resources available in China. But, more particularly, it will attempt to encourage buyers to actually do their Factory Audit using independent experts on the ground in China.

The objective is to help our members bullet-proof themselves against the endless horrors of fraud and non-performance which sadly is becoming a normal part of life for small and medium size buyers. To that end, competent Inspectors / Auditors may state their services in this topic as little could be more helpful to members than direct word from the Inspectors themselves.

Rule for Factory Inspectors wishing to post here: you must focus on what you actually do and give the price (and definitely not just promote your firm in a tell-little advertisement). Stories about your factory experiences are very welcome in order to put life into this subject for buyers who live light years away from China and who, in most cases, have never been to China.

Alibaba and the Moderators do not promote any particular firm who might appear in this Topic.

However, to start the ball rolling, I have copied the following material from TonyInspection as it gives valuable insight into what we can expect from a Factory Audit and the cost.    

1. Factory Verification Audit (US$129 for most main Southern areas):

Factory Audit Culture. Factory audits are an everyday event in China. Genuine suppliers readily cooperate. They are usually anxious to demonstrate their capacity and skills to meet export sales orders.    

• Factory Verification Audit. This style of Audit aims to ascertain whether the supplier has the capacity, skills and quality control methods to deliver the goods you wish to buy and in a timely manner, including whether the correct certificates are held.
• Preliminary email Survey Form. I submit a Form to your potential supplier who is expected to complete and return it to me by email prior to my personal visit to their factory.
• Form Detail. Most genuine suppliers are already familiar with this sort of form. The Form includes company name, address, office and plant area, license number, year established, annual turnover, major customers, product categories, processes available, list of production machines and status, list of testing equipment and status, Quality System certification, staff breakdown and organizational chart, R&D department, etc.
• Scammers automatically detected. The above email process filters out scammers. Scammers of course can't fill in the email form where they know it will be followed by an on-site Audit of their non-existent factory.
• Cost: Only after the factory agrees to the audit, you T/T funds for me to visit the factory. This is my method to protect you against paying for an audit I could not do if your potential supplier was just a scammer. My charge is US$129.00 per factory (for Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Huizhou, Zhongshan). Please email for cost in other areas and provinces.
• On-site Verification and Report. I visit the factory to verify the information on the returned email form. This consists factory floor inspection in conjunction with direct discussions with management, sales representatives and key production workers. I take photos and furnish my report to you within 8 hours after my visit.
• Relationship Building. During the visit I pay particular attention to building the personal relationship between you and your potential supplier. My visit shows your supplier you are a genuine buyer. The relationship I build often assists your own direct negotiations to get best price from the supplier. 

2. Factory Quality System Audit: 

• Management Responsibility
• Quality System
• Contract Review
• Design Control
• Document Control
• Procurement
• Product Identification and Traceability
• Process Control
• Inspection and Testing
• Inspection, Measuring, and Test Equipment
• Inspection and Test Status
• Control of Nonconforming Product
• Corrective and Preventive Action
• Handling, Storage, Packaging, Preservation, and Delivery
• Quality Records
• Internal Quality Audits
• Training and Personnel
• Servicing
• Statistical and Analytical Techniques used.