Remote Factory Audit in China: Video Inspection and Business Licence Check for Indian Importers

IFC – Imports From China (20+ Years Import Experts, trusted since 2004) offers Indian business importers a remote factory audit: a live video inspection of your China supplier, including the business licence and bank account check, before you transfer a single rupee. This service is for B2B importers only. B2C and individual retail buyers are not served.

Why a remote factory audit matters before you pay a China supplier

Most importers from India find suppliers on Alibaba, 1688, Instagram, Facebook or at a Yiwu market shop. A professional-looking catalogue or website proves very little. Some “suppliers” are traders pretending to be factories, and some are not real businesses at all. The cheapest protection is to see the supplier with your own eyes, through a video, before you pay an advance.

How the IFC remote audit works, step by step

1. Video call with the supplier. IFC’s China team joins a video call with your supplier and explains what must be filmed.
2. Start at the factory gate. The supplier films the factory gate so the name and address of the factory or supplier is clearly visible.
3. Production area. The camera is taken through the production floor to show machines, workers and goods in progress.
4. QC area. The quality control area is shown, so you can see whether checks actually exist.
5. Warehouse. Stock, packing and the loading area are filmed.
6. Office area, licence and bank details. The supplier shows the business licence and the bank account details. The name on the bank account must match the name written on the business licence.
7. Video delivered to you. The complete video of the inspection is provided to the Indian buyer.

Cost of a remote audit

The remote video audit costs about Rs 2,000 per factory. Compared with the value of a typical import order, this is a very small price for knowing the supplier is real.

When a physical inspection is also needed

If the video process is not enough, for example for a large order or a supplier you cannot clear on video alone, IFC staff on the ground in China can inspect in person. Charges range from about Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000, depending on the supplier’s location and how far our team must travel. IFC has its own offices in Guangzhou and Yiwu with English-speaking staff and translators.

What a good audit result looks like

• The factory name and address on the gate match the business licence.
• Production, QC and warehouse areas are real and match the products you want.
• The bank account holder name matches the licence name, not a person or a different company.
• The supplier agrees to the video without delays or excuses.

Red flags the audit helps you catch

• A supplier who refuses a live video call or only sends recorded clips.
• A request to pay into a personal account or an account in another company’s name.
• A factory address that does not match the licence.
• Prices far below the market for the same product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does IFC do in a remote audit?

IFC makes a video call with your supplier and asks them to film their factory, starting from the factory gate so the name and address of the factory or supplier is visible. The camera is then taken through the production area, QC area, warehouse and office area. In the office, the supplier shows the business licence and the bank account details, with the name on the bank account matching the name written on the business licence.

How much does a remote audit cost?

A remote video audit costs about Rs 2,000 per factory.

What if a physical inspection is needed as well?

IFC staff on the ground in China can inspect the supplier in person. Charges range from about Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000, depending on the supplier’s location and how far our team must travel.

Why do the bank account name and business licence name need to match?

A common China supplier scam is to ask for payment into a personal account or into an account under a different company name. When the account holder name matches the name on the business licence, you can be much more confident you are paying the real company.

Will I get the inspection video?

Yes. The video of the complete inspection is provided to the Indian buyer, so you can review it yourself and share it with your partners.

Who is this service for?

Indian business importers, traders and manufacturers who found a supplier on Alibaba, 1688, Instagram, Facebook or in a market such as Yiwu and want to verify it before placing an order. B2C and individual retail buyers are not served.

Where are IFC’s offices in China?

IFC has its own offices in Guangzhou and Yiwu, with English-speaking staff and translators.

How do I request a remote audit?

Contact IFC with your business name, the supplier’s name and contact details, and the product you plan to order.