Beyond quality audits, buyers should verify a Chinese supplier's tax health, fapiao discipline, export license status, and ODI compliance of its own offshore entities — these predict supply continuity better than factory tours.
Checklist highlights: (1) Corporate: SAMR registration, shareholder transparency (PSC), litigation records (China Judgements Online, dishonest debtor lists). (2) Tax: VAT general taxpayer status, fapiao violation history — a supplier buying fake input fapiao can drag your input credits into disputes and trigger supply disruption during investigations. (3) Export: customs AEO status, export license needs for controlled goods. (4) Outbound compliance: if the supplier claims overseas factories (Vietnam, Thailand), check their ODI filings — unregistered offshore investment means funds moved illegally and the overseas factory has a compliance cloud. (5) IP: trademark registrations for the brands they manufacture. (6) Data: if they touch your customer data, PIPL compliance matters. Zhonghui runs supplier compliance reviews as a fixed-fee product — the ROI is one avoided production stoppage.
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Zhonghui Consulting — cross-border compliance engagements, fixed fees, English-speaking delivery team.
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