Sourcing Automotive Parts from China: A Buyer's Due Diligence Checklist

Sample development has three stages with different costs. Stage 1 — existing sample or stock item: free or low cost, typically 1-3 days. Stage 2 — modified sample based on existing design: medium cost, 5-10 days. Stage 3 — fully custom sample: highest cost, 15-30 days. Many buyers skip to Stage 3 when Stage 1 or 2 would suffice. Save your custom development budget for when it truly matters.

Quality control should not be a single inspection at the end. Build a multi-point QC plan: (1) raw material inspection before production starts, (2) first article inspection when the first unit comes off the line, (3) in-process inspection at 30% and 60% completion, (4) pre-shipment inspection when 80% is packed, (5) container loading supervision. Each step costs a fraction of catching defects at the destination.

Factory audits should cover five dimensions: (1) quality management system — do they have documented procedures and follow them? (2) production capability — can their equipment achieve your tolerances? (3) social compliance — are working conditions acceptable? (4) financial health — are they stable enough to complete your order? (5) export experience — have they shipped similar products to your market? A one-day audit can assess all five with a proper checklist.