I contacted a supplier from China and asked for relevant business information, so that I could verify them. They gave me an address, a phone number and a VAT number.

Now, what do I do with this information? How do I check these up? Where can I see who owns the phone number and the VAT number. Isn't just scrambled numbers?

Anyone willing to give me some guidance?

Marina

Hi,

I am in China now and I am a Chinese British. The info they gave doesn't mean everything is true. What you can do is make a small order and test it, unless you know them.

I am back in China just to try to build a bridge from China to the EU through import export. The question about China is trust. Too many scammers there. A huge country from which many people try to make a fortunate overnight. Heaven and hell, that's China.

Anything you need you can contact me, I am not sure if I can help but I can try.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinaland

I contacted a supplier from China and asked for relevant business information, so that I could verify them. They gave me an address, a phone number and a VAT number.

Now, what do I do with this information? How do I check these up? Where can I see who owns the phone number and the VAT number. Isn't just scrambled numbers?

Anyone willing to give me some guidance?

Marina

Hi Marina,

This is a common question and there is no short answer. It takes up nearly 4 close typed A4 pages in my book on importing from China, but it is vitally important, because as alan1973 says "Too many scammers there. A huge country from which many people try to make a fortunate overnight. Heaven and hell, that's China."

An important factor is how did you locate the supplier? If you found them by searching some popular B2B sourcing portals, you may have found a genuine supplier or you may have found a scammer. One thing you can do is to ask what payment method they require. If they ask for payment by Western Union, or Direct Transfer, I would look for another supplier.

You could try phoning the number they have given you, but it may not be answered by someone who speaks English. Unlike the custom in Europe where the company name is given when the phone is answered, in China it will usually be answered with an almost universal greeting that sounds like huh-way. You would then need to ask if the person speaks English. Be patient, because there could be some delay while they call a person who does. You will then need to ask them what is the company name.

Even this may not give you a definite answer, because it is very common for Chinese companies to operate under 3 or more different names.

I have given this information to show you that doing it yourself will not be easy. I can't post 4 pages here, but If you care to PM me the company name I will happily check for you.

As Alan1973 posted, in China many people want to make their fortune quickly, but most suppliers want to make business with customers for the long term. I have worked for some Western Companies (Chinese Branch), and what I suggest is that you use an agent in China to help you with QC and shipping.