How do I know a supplier can be trusted?
Hello from MAKENOV. Verifying an overseas supplier is not difficult: the documents to request are standard, and a supplier who cannot provide them has already answered your question.
Does the company actually exist?
Start with corporate existence. For a Korean company, ask for the business registration number and check its status with the Korean tax authority — active, suspended or closed shows immediately. A website proves nothing by itself; check that the registered name and address match what the site says.
How do I gauge production capacity?
First find out whether they manufacture in-house or outsource. Both are fine, but response speed and price flexibility differ. For an in-house factory, ask about founding year, headcount and equipment. For OEM production, what matters is who the manufacturer is and how stable that contract is — if it breaks, your supply breaks with it.
Certifications and patents
| Item | Request | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Quality certification | Certificate copy | Validity period and scope |
| Test results | Accredited lab report | Lab name and tested items |
| Patent | Registration certificate | Filed vs registered, countries |
| Business info | Business registration | Name and representative match |
| Export record | Client list or customs data | Actual export experience |
Always read the certification scope — sometimes the company is certified but the product falls outside it.
Why export experience matters
A company that has exported knows the paperwork. Whether certificates of origin, ingredient lists and test reports come back quickly tells you their experience. No export history is not disqualifying, but document preparation takes longer and that time lands on your schedule.
If verification stalls
If requested documents never arrive, reconsider the deal — a normal supplier already has them. If the documents exist but language is the barrier, that is a process problem, not a trust problem. Keep the two separate.
FAQ
Is it rude to ask for documents?
Verifying a counterparty is basic practice in international trade; proper suppliers expect it.
Should I avoid small companies?
Technology and responsiveness matter more than size — small companies are often more flexible on exclusivity and initial volume.
Is a factory visit required?
Not at first. Before an exclusivity contract or a large order, one visit is worthwhile.
Closing
MAKENOV checks supplier company information and technology before introducing products. We do not guarantee outcomes; final judgment and contracts are between you and the supplier. Browse products from verified suppliers.
