Find Suppliers
Trading Company or real factory: How to spot the difference
Why the difference determines your margin, delivery time, and quality control.
The Problem
Many suppliers claim to be manufacturers when they only resell goods. This is not necessarily bad, but for price negotiations, product customization, and complaints, you must know whom you are really talking to.
The Risk
A trading company might react slowly to custom requests, mistranslate technical details, or hide the actual factory. This increases costs and blurs responsibilities.
The Solution
Do not just ask for photos: ask about the production process, machinery, daily capacity, and specific contact persons in engineering or quality management. Genuine factories usually provide more operational answers and can document details faster.
Practical Checklist
- Request production videos with a current date
- Review the machinery list and daily capacities for plausibility
- Check certificates against the company name
- Compare sample labels and shipping addresses
- Plan a factory audit for larger order volumes
How China Send helps
We identify whether your provider is a factory, a trader, or a mixed model, and recommend the appropriate purchasing strategy.
Start Free Inquiry