Importing 101: How to Find and Verify a Reliable Supplier in China From Nigeria

Finding a supplier in China can take twenty minutes. Finding one you can trust with ₦50 million takes considerably longer.

That extra time matters.

There are thousands of suppliers on platforms like Alibaba and 1688. The challenge is not finding someone who sells what you need. It is finding a supplier who will deliver the right product, at the agreed quality, within the agreed timeline.

This guide walks you through finding suppliers, what to check before you pay, the red flags to watch for, and how to build supplier relationships you can rely on.

How to Verify a Supplier Before You Pay

Finding a supplier is only the first step. Before sending money, take the time to verify who you are dealing with.

Request Their Business Licence

Ask your shortlisted supplier for a copy of their 营业执照 (yíngyè zhízhào), which is their Chinese business registration certificate.

Check that the company name matches the name on their platform profile, invoice and payment details.

Also check their stated business scope. If a supplier claims to be a manufacturer but their business scope only covers trading or wholesale activities, ask questions before proceeding.

Check the Invoice and Payment Details

When you receive a proforma invoice, compare the company name with the supplier's business licence and payment account.

Be cautious if the supplier asks you to send money to a personal account or to an account belonging to a completely different company.

A mismatch does not automatically mean the supplier is fraudulent, but it is something you need to resolve before making payment.

Look at Their Transaction History

On Alibaba, look beyond the Gold Supplier badge.

Check how long the supplier has been active, their transaction history, customer reviews and other information available on their profile.

A Gold Supplier badge shows that a supplier has paid for Alibaba's membership programme. It does not guarantee that their products will meet your expectations.

Ask Questions Only a Real Manufacturer Can Answer

If a supplier claims to be a factory, ask specific questions about their production process.

For example:

• What is your daily production capacity?

• What materials do you use?

• What is your usual production lead time?

• How do you handle quality control?

• What is your minimum order quantity?

A genuine manufacturer should be able to answer these questions clearly. If the responses are consistently vague, treat that as a reason to investigate further.

Request a Live Factory Video Call

A live video call can tell you much more than a polished catalogue.

Ask the supplier to show you their factory in real time. You can ask to see their machinery, production area, raw materials and finished products.

A supplier who is unwilling to show you where or how your products are made deserves further scrutiny.

Order a Sample Before Going Big

Never make a large order based only on product photos.

Order a sample first and compare it carefully with your requirements. Check the material, dimensions, finishing, packaging, colour and any other specifications that matter to your business.

The sample gives you a baseline for what you expect from the bulk order.

If the sample does not match what you were promised, do not assume the bulk order will somehow be different.

Red Flags That Mean You Should Walk Away

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to look for.

They want to move you off the platform immediately.

Be cautious when a supplier insists that you move the entire transaction to WhatsApp, WeChat or personal email before an order is properly established. Moving away from the platform can reduce the protection available to you.

The price is suspiciously low.

A supplier offering the same product at a price far below every other quote may look like a bargain. It could also mean you are getting a different quality, specification or product altogether.

Always ask why the price is so different.

They refuse to provide basic company information.

If a supplier will not provide a business licence, company name or clear payment details, there is little reason to take the risk.

They want payment to a personal account.

Your supplier's company name and payment details should make sense together. If they do not, stop and verify before sending anything.

They are rushing you.

"Pay today or lose the price."

"Stock is almost finished."

"Send the deposit now."

Urgency is not a substitute for verification. Take the time you need to complete your checks.

Building a Supplier Relationship Worth Keeping

Supplier verification does not end after your first order.

Once you start working with a supplier, keep records of their performance. Track product quality, delivery times, communication, packaging and how they respond when something goes wrong.

This gives you a clear standard for future orders.

For example, if your approved sample had a particular fabric weight and a later shipment arrives with a lighter material, you have something specific to point to when raising the issue.

The best suppliers are not necessarily the ones who never have problems. Problems can happen in any supply chain.

What matters is how the supplier responds when something goes wrong.

A supplier who communicates clearly, takes responsibility and works towards a solution can be much more valuable than one who offers the cheapest quote but disappears when there is an issue.

Import With More Confidence

Verifying a supplier takes more time upfront, but it can save you from much bigger problems later.

A few extra checks can mean the difference between receiving the goods you ordered and dealing with the cost of defective products, delays or a shipment that does not match your specifications.

And you do not have to manage every part of the process separately.

With Proc360, you can source products, verify suppliers, arrange quality inspections, make payments, consolidate your goods and track your shipment through one structured platform.

Ready to make your next China import with more visibility and less risk? Sign up for Proc360 and start importing with confidence.

Start With a Clear Product Brief, Not a Platform

One of the most common sourcing mistakes is opening Alibaba, typing in a product name, and messaging the first few suppliers with "Please send price."

You will probably get responses, but comparing them will be difficult if every supplier is pricing a slightly different product.

Before contacting suppliers, create a simple product brief. It can be a paragraph or a checklist. Include:

• Exact product name

• Material and specifications

• Dimensions or size range

• Quantity

• Packaging requirements

• Relevant certification requirements for Nigeria

For regulated products, check requirements such as SONCAP or NAFDAC before placing your order.

A clear brief makes it easier to compare suppliers fairly. It also helps you identify suppliers who can actually meet your requirements.

Where to Find Suppliers

Alibaba is a good starting point for Nigerian importers, especially if you are new to importing. Suppliers are used to dealing with international buyers, communication is generally easier, and payment and buyer protection options are designed for international transactions.

1688 is another option worth exploring. It is a domestic Chinese wholesale platform, so prices can be lower than on Alibaba because there is less of an export markup. However, the platform is primarily in Mandarin, many suppliers do not ship internationally, and payment can be more complicated for overseas buyers.

If you have access to a reliable sourcing partner, 1688 can be useful for finding competitive prices. If you are new to importing, starting with Alibaba may be simpler while you learn the process.

Global Sources and Made-in-China are also worth checking, particularly for electronics, industrial equipment and other specialized products.

And do not overlook referrals from other importers. A recommendation from a business owner who has actually ordered from a supplier can be more useful than a platform badge. Ask them about the supplier's quality, communication, delivery times and how they handled problems.

As a general rule, contact several suppliers for the same product. Five is a good starting point. Give each supplier the same product brief, then compare their prices, specifications, minimum order quantities and responses.

Do not automatically choose the cheapest supplier. Look at the whole picture.