How to Verify a Chinese EV Charger Factory Before You Pay

Short answer: before you pay a Chinese EV charger supplier, verify four things. The company — look it up in China’s official enterprise register and match the name to your contract and the bank account. The certificates — search the certificate numbers in the issuing body’s own database using the model number on your quotation. The factory — run a live, uncut video walk-through of production, testing and storage. The payment route — pay a deposit, and release the balance only after an inspection you control. All four can be done in a few days and cost little compared with a container of the wrong chargers.

1. Verify the legal company

Every Chinese company has an 18-character unified social credit code. Ask for it, together with a copy of the business licence, and search it in the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System (gsxt.gov.cn).

Field in the register	What to check
Company name (Chinese)	Same as on the contract, pro forma invoice and receiving bank account
Status	“存续” / “在业” (active) — not cancelled or revoked
Business scope	Includes manufacturing of charging equipment or electrical equipment — a pure trading scope suggests a middleman
Registered address	Matches the factory address you will audit, or the factory is a named branch
Date of establishment	Consistent with the experience the supplier claims
Administrative penalties, abnormal operation list	Nothing serious and unexplained

A trading company is not automatically a problem — but you should know whether you are buying from the maker, because certificates, warranty and spare parts depend on the maker.

2. Verify certificates at the source

Certificates are the most commonly faked or misused documents. A certificate is valid only for the holder, the factory and the model it names.

Certificate	Where to check it	What must match
TÜV marks and CB reports	TÜV Rheinland Certipedia, or the issuing body’s database	Holder, factory, model number, standard (e.g. IEC 61851-1)
UL listing	UL Product iQ	Company, file number, model
ETL listing	Intertek directory of listed products	Company, model, standard (e.g. UL 2594)
ENERGY STAR	ENERGY STAR product finder	Brand and model number
CE declaration	Issued by the manufacturer — ask for the LVD and EMC test reports from the lab behind it	Model, standards, lab name and report number
UKCA	Manufacturer’s declaration plus test reports	Same as CE

If the certificate names a different company, ask why. A legitimate reason is that you are buying a brand-licensed or OEM product made by the certificate holder — in that case you need a letter from the holder and the product must be identical.

3. Verify the factory with a live video audit

A video audit costs nothing and is surprisingly effective if you lead it. Agree a time, ask for one continuous call without cuts, and follow a script.

Stop	Ask to see	Good sign
Entrance and signboard	The company name on the building	Matches the business licence
Incoming inspection	Inspection of boards, contactors, power modules	Records or labels showing pass / fail
Assembly line	Chargers being built now, not a showroom	Work in progress, work instructions at each station
Test stations	Insulation / hi-pot test, functional test, a charge session on a test load	Test software with serial numbers
Ageing room	Units running under load for hours before packing	Racks of chargers powered on
Warehouse	Finished goods with serial labels, packaging	Your model in stock or in production
Your sample	The sample you will receive, tested on camera	Serial number shown on camera

4. Use a third-party inspection for larger orders

For a first container or a large order, a third-party inspection company (for example SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or QIMA) can audit the factory or inspect goods before shipment.

• Factory audit: management system, production capacity, test equipment, quality records. Useful before you sign a long-term agreement.
• Pre-shipment inspection: random units are picked from finished stock using a sampling plan based on ISO 2859-1 (AQL), and checked for appearance, labels, packaging, functions and safety tests you specify — for example insulation resistance and a full charging session.

Write the inspection checklist yourself and attach it to the purchase order, so the inspector tests what matters for your market.

5. Protect the payment

Term	Risk to buyer	When it fits
100 % in advance	High	Small samples only
Deposit + balance before shipment after your inspection	Medium	Most first orders
Deposit + balance against copy of bill of lading	Medium	Repeat orders with a known supplier
Letter of credit with inspection certificate	Low	Large orders; requires bank fees and strict documents

Two rules apply whatever terms you choose: pay only to a bank account in the name of the contracting company, and be suspicious of any late request to change bank details — confirm by phone with a person you know.

Red flags during verification

• The supplier refuses an unscheduled or uncut video call.
• The business scope is trading only, but the supplier insists it is the manufacturer.
• Certificates cannot be found in the issuing body’s database, or name another model.
• The bank account belongs to a different company or a person.
• Test stations or an ageing room “are being upgraded” and cannot be shown.

Auditing VULTAE

The same checks apply to us. You can ask for a live video audit or a visit to our factory in Qingdao, ask for your sample to be tested on camera, and send a third-party inspector with your own checklist. Contact us through the contact form, and see our related guides on choosing a manufacturer and testing samples.