Sourcing Checklists
Practical checklists to help global buyers verify suppliers, review documents, and control sourcing risks before placing an order.
Custom Tooling Checklist for China Orders: Ownership, Storage, Maintenance and Transfer Rights
Paying for custom molds, dies, jigs or fixtures does not automatically clarify who owns them, where they are stored, who can use them, or how they can be transferred to another factory. This checklist helps buyers define tooling scope, ownership, identification, storage, maintenance, usage rights, design files, modifications and transfer arrangements before paying tooling fees or starting production.
Pre-Production Checklist for China Orders: What to Lock Before Bulk Production Starts
Before bulk production starts, turn the approved sample and sourcing discussions into one controlled production package. This checklist helps buyers lock the final product definition, Approved / Golden Sample, production site, outsourced processes, packaging, quantity, lead time, inspection basis, and change-control rules so later changes become visible instead of being discovered after production is complete.
Pre-Shipment Inspection Checklist for China Orders: What to Define Before the Inspector Arrives
A pre-shipment inspection is most useful when the buyer defines the product standard, sampling method, defect criteria, packaging requirements, and production-readiness conditions before the inspector arrives. This checklist shows when to schedule a PSI, what documents and references to provide, how to interpret Pass / Fail / corrective-action outcomes, and what should be resolved before balance payment or shipment.
Supplier Shortlisting Checklist Before Requesting Samples or Quotes
Use this practical supplier shortlisting checklist to decide which candidates deserve a sample request, RFQ, deeper verification, or no further sourcing time.
Supplier Background Check Checklist Before Placing an Order
Review the supplier’s legal identity, factory relationship, product capability, compliance evidence, export experience, payment details, and order controls.
HOW TO USE IT
STEP 1
Review each item
Go through every check with the supplier's documents and public records side by side.
STEP 2
Record the status
Mark each item as Verified, Unresolved, Escalated, or Not Applicable, and note the evidence source.
STEP 3
Take the next action
Resolve unresolved items, escalate high-risk findings, or stop before payment when critical checks fail.
STATUS LEGEND
- Verified
- Evidence reviewed and matches the supplier's claim.
- Unresolved
- Evidence missing, incomplete, or inconsistent — follow up before moving forward.
- Escalated
- High-risk finding that needs a senior decision or additional investigation.
- Not Applicable
- Not relevant to this product, market, or transaction structure.