Facility and equipment evidence
Confirm that the site, machinery and production stages are consistent with what the supplier claims.
Mijay Group resource
China factory audit
Direct answer
A China factory audit is an on-site assessment of a manufacturer’s identity, facility, equipment, workforce, production flow, quality system and ability to make the required product. Unlike a shipment inspection, it evaluates the supplier’s capability and controls before or during the business relationship.
What Mijay Group handles
Quality-system review
Review incoming checks, production records, non-conformity handling, calibration and final inspection practices.
Subcontracting visibility
Identify which operations are completed internally and which are outsourced to other facilities.
How the project works
1. Define the audit objective
Select the operational, technical, quality, social or project-specific questions that must be answered.
2. Prepare the checklist
Adapt the audit to the product, critical processes, forecast volume and destination requirements.
3. Visit and collect evidence
Observe the facility, interview relevant staff and record evidence rather than relying only on prepared presentations.
4. Rate findings by risk
Separate critical gaps from major and minor improvements and link them to the purchasing decision.
5. Agree corrective actions
Set responsible parties, evidence and deadlines for the issues that must be closed before production.
What you need to know before you start
Audit and product inspection answer different questions
The audit asks whether the factory can control production; an inspection checks whether a specific batch meets agreed criteria.
The checklist must match the product
A generic walk-through can miss tooling, contamination, traceability, testing or capacity risks specific to your goods.
Corrective actions are part of the result
A useful audit does not stop at a score. It defines what must change and what proof is required before approval.
Frequently asked questions
What is checked during a China factory audit?
Typical areas include company identity, premises, equipment, workforce, production capacity, process control, quality records, subcontracting, traceability and project-specific requirements.
Is a factory audit the same as a pre-shipment inspection?
No. An audit evaluates the supplier and its systems. A pre-shipment inspection evaluates a defined batch of goods before dispatch.
When should I audit a Chinese factory?
Consider it before important tooling or orders, for regulated or technically sensitive goods, when production claims are uncertain, or when recurring purchasing justifies deeper qualification.
Related practical guides
China supplier verification
Verify a Chinese supplier before payment through company checks, document consistency, production capability review and risk-based on-site inspection.
Quality control in China
Plan product quality control in China with approved specifications, in-production checks, pre-shipment inspection and documented corrective actions.
How to find a manufacturer in China
Find and compare Chinese manufacturers from a product brief, photo or sample, including factories outside Alibaba and other public marketplaces.
China product development
Develop a product in China from concept and specifications through prototypes, tooling, packaging, samples, production and quality control.
Discuss your project with our China-based team
Share your product, target quantity, destination and priorities. We will identify the right sourcing or logistics workflow before preparing a proposal.