Supplier checks before you send money

Verify identity, product evidence, samples and commercial terms in a sequence.

A practical sequence

1. Write a specification with materials, tolerances, packaging and inspection criteria.
2. Inspect a sample against it and retain a reference.
3. Independently verify legal identity, beneficiary, capability and references.
4. Match test reports to the exact model and destination.
5. Agree defect remedies, inspection, Incoterms and tooling ownership in writing.
6. Use pre-shipment inspection for material orders.

Work through an example

For an electrical product, identify safety and labelling requirements in each destination before comparing factory quotes.

Common mistakes

• Relying on badges as due diligence.
• accepting a report for a similar model.
• paying a new beneficiary based on an unverified email..

Before you move on

• Identity independently checked.
• sample approved.
• evidence matches the exact SKU and market.
• inspection and defect terms written..

Sources and next steps