Verify & Vet
All Verify & Vet guides
Why Verifying Chinese Companies Is Different — and Harder
China's corporate registry is Chinese-only, fragmented across six government systems, and built around Chinese-character legal names. Here's what that means for foreign buyers.
2026-04-20
Chinese Company Registration Status: The Seven States and What They Mean
Existence, revocation, deregistration, suspension — only one of these registration statuses means a Chinese company can lawfully transact with you.
2026-04-20
The Chinese Business License (营业执照): A Field-by-Field Guide
Every legitimate Chinese company has a one-page Business License. Here are the nine fields it contains, what each means, and how to spot a fake.
2026-04-20
Why You Must Find the Legal Chinese Name — Not the English One
Chinese companies have only one legal name, and it's in Chinese characters. Without it, you can't sue, you can't enforce, and you may not even know who you're paying.
2026-04-20
Verifying the English Name of a Chinese Company (MOFCOM Filing Check)
Chinese companies engaged in import/export must register a declared English name with MOFCOM. A mismatch with what the supplier uses with you is a meaningful red flag.
2026-04-20
Unified Social Credit Code (USCC): China's 18-Character Company ID
Every Chinese company has a unique 18-character Unified Social Credit Code. It's printed on the Business License, the official seal, and every public document. Here's how to use it.
2026-04-20
Legal Representative (法定代表人): Power, Liability, and Why It Matters to You
The Legal Representative of a Chinese company can bind the company alone. They are also personally liable for some corporate offenses. Here's what foreign buyers need to know.
2026-04-20
Registered Capital vs. Paid-in Capital: What the Numbers Really Tell You
RMB 50 million registered capital does not mean RMB 50 million in the bank. Since the 2014 reform, paid-in capital is often zero. Here's how to read the figures.
2026-04-20
Business Scope (经营范围): The Field That Decides If They Can Lawfully Export to You
Chinese export law requires the Business Scope to explicitly cover both the goods and import/export wording. Missing either, and the supplier can't legally ship.
2026-04-20
Beyond the Basics: Chinese Litigation, Enforcement, and Risk Signals
Registration tells you a company exists. The court databases tell you whether it pays its debts. Here's how to use China's enforcement and dishonest debtor records.
2026-04-20
The Official Chinese Sources for Company Data You Should Know
Six government databases hold the data needed for a thorough Chinese company check. Each is Chinese-only. Here's the canonical list with URLs and what each contains.
2026-04-20
China Sanctions, Blacklist and Export-Control Lists Explained
A foreign buyer's reference for every China-relevant risk list: Dishonest Debtor List, Restricted Consumption, US Entity List, OFAC SDN, EU/UK sanctions. Where each lives and how to screen.
2026-04-20
A Practical 10-Point Checklist for Verifying Any Chinese Company
A tiered checklist covering Tier 1 (always do these), Tier 2 (US$10K+ transactions), and Tier 3 (partnerships, M&A, JVs). Use it before any wire transfer.
2026-04-20
When to DIY a Chinese Company Check and When to Use a Service
A practical decision framework: free GSXT searches work for one-off small orders; partnerships and M&A need full due diligence. Here's where the line is.
2026-04-20
Chinese Company Verification: Frequently Asked Questions
What is GSXT? Can I search by English name? How do I verify a Business License? Is the dishonest debtor list reliable? Answers to the questions every foreign buyer asks.
2026-04-20
How to Verify an Alibaba Supplier (Step-by-Step)
Gold Supplier and Trade Assurance are useful but insufficient. Cross-check every Alibaba supplier against the official Chinese registry before you pay.
2026-04-20
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