How to verify a China supplier and avoid scams
Updated June 2026 · by OpenQuote, on the ground in Yiwu, China
Import scams come in three forms: fake factories, bait-and-switch, payment fraud. The most reliable check is to have someone look at the supplier in person — confirming the factory is real and the goods match. Here are the key red flags and how to protect yourself.
Verify on site · US$29Three common scams
- Fake / shell factory: no real production, flips someone else’s goods.
- Bait-and-switch: good sample, worse bulk — cheaper materials and workmanship.
- Payment fraud: rushed deposits, a changed bank account mid-deal (often a hacked email).
A few red flags (full checklist in the guide)
- ☐ Price too good to be true;
- ☐ Pushes you to pay a deposit / pay in full up front;
- ☐ The receiving account suddenly changes;
- ☐ Won’t video-call the goods/factory, sends only stock photos.
The full 10-point red-flag list + a printable anti-scam checklist are in the guide “Buy from Yiwu without traveling.”
How to protect your payment
Deposit + balance; for large orders prefer pay-after-inspection. Re-verify any change of receiving account through a second channel — the changed-account scam is the most common and costliest.
The most reliable check: in person
No amount of online checking beats someone looking on site. OpenQuote is in Yiwu; for US$29 we verify the real supplier and send on-site photos/video — you can see the factory exists and the goods match.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know a supplier is real?+
Have someone on the ground look at the booth/factory and take photos/video. Whether the factory is real and the goods match is clearest in person.
How do I avoid payment fraud?+
Deposit + balance, pay after inspection for large orders, and re-verify any account change through a second channel — the changed-account scam is the most common.
Is paying the boss’s personal account normal?+
In Yiwu, yes: trading companies often handle export and goods are paid to the boss’s personal domestic account. The warning sign is a payee who doesn’t match the shop/trading company you’re dealing with — not a “personal account” itself.
What if I’ve been scammed?+
Keep all records, verify the supplier’s real details, and get professional help if needed. The best fix is to verify on the ground before paying.