The right due diligence workflow separates a $2M savings from a $2M loss. Use this checklist before signing any purchase order with a Chinese solar manufacturer.
Checklist points
40
across 5 domains
Typical audit cost (3rd party)
$1,800
SGS/TÜV/Intertek
Suppliers who fail on paper
~62%
of self-nominated tier-1
1. Legal existence and standing
- Business licence (营业执照) with matching Unified Social Credit Code (统一社会信用代码)
- Registered capital ≥ RMB 50 million for utility-scale suppliers
- Company on Qichacha / Tianyancha with 3+ years continuous operation
- No abnormal operating status, no court judgment enforcement records
2. Financial health
- Audited financials (Chinese GAAP) for the last two years
- Positive operating cash flow — many tier-2 solar makers show negative FCF
- Debt-to-equity ratio under 2.5×
- Confirm bank credit line with a major state-owned bank (ICBC, BOC, CCB)
3. Technical capability
- Owned (not toll) manufacturing capacity — visit the line, count SM cells
- Certifications: IEC 61215 ed.3, IEC 61730, UL 61730, IEC 62804 (PID-free)
- Certification body: TÜV Rheinland, TÜV SÜD, Intertek, UL, CSA (avoid unknown labs)
- Cell source verified — mainstream cells from LONGi, Tongwei, Jietai, Aiko, JA
- EL and IV curve testing for 100% of production, results archived by serial
4. Export track record
- Export licence and HS code registration current
- Shipping history: pull Panjiva or ImportGenius records for target destination
- Named references in your destination market with contactable buyers
- Regional after-sales entity or authorised service partner in your country
5. ESG and compliance
- UFLPA supply-chain traceability documentation (polysilicon origin)
- SA8000 or SMETA social audit within the last 24 months
- ISO 14001 environmental management
- Not on any US Entity List, OFAC or EU sanctions list
- For EU: CBAM declaration ready for aluminium frame and glass
Every Chinese.Solar-listed manufacturer passes all 40 points before appearing in AI match results. If you source outside our marketplace, run this list yourself or pay a third party $1,800 to do it.
Frequently asked questions
QHow do I check a Chinese company's registration?
Use Qichacha (qcc.com) or Tianyancha — both aggregate the State Administration for Market Regulation database. English translations are available on request from most Chinese suppliers.
QWhat if a supplier refuses a factory audit?
Walk away. Legitimate manufacturers welcome audits and typically host 20+ buyer visits per quarter. Refusal signals capacity fraud or quality issues they don't want documented.
Post your specification on Chinese.Solar and our AI matches you to 3–5 verified tier-1 manufacturers in under 60 seconds — with live CIF pricing, factory audits and export track records.