Sending money to a factory you’ve never met, in a country you may never have visited, is the scariest part of sourcing overseas — especially with a smaller or newer supplier. The good news: a few disciplined steps remove almost all of the risk. Here’s how experienced buyers find and vet manufacturers.
Where to find manufacturers
- Sourcing marketplaces: Alibaba, Global Sources, Sewport, Maker’s Row, Fibre2Fashion.
- Trade bodies: national garment associations (e.g. Garment Association of Nepal) and export-promotion agencies list vetted members.
- Referrals: ask other brand owners — the highest-trust source of all.
- Search: "[product] manufacturer [country]" surfaces factories that invest in being findable.
Scam red flags to walk away from
- Pressure for a large 100% upfront payment to a personal account.
- No physical address, no registered company, no export licence.
- Prices dramatically below everyone else (bait pricing).
- Refusal to provide a sample, a video call, or references.
- Only a WhatsApp number — no website, no verifiable identity.
How to verify a supplier (the checklist)
- Confirm they’re a real registered exporter (business registration + EXIM/export code).
- Ask for a live video walkthrough of the factory floor and your goods on the line.
- Order a pre-production sample before any bulk commitment — judge fabric, fit, finish.
- Request references or named clients you can contact.
- Start with a smaller first order to build trust before scaling.
Protect your money with the right payment terms
Never wire 100% upfront to a stranger. Use staged terms — e.g. a deposit to start, balance against inspection or shipping documents — or a Letter of Credit (L/C) for larger orders, which releases funds only when documented conditions are met. Structure payment so your money tracks real progress.
The single best protection: approve a physical sample first, start small, and pay in stages tied to milestones. Scams rely on you skipping these — legitimate factories welcome them.
How we make it easy to trust us
We’re a registered exporter with a physical factory in Gaindakot, Nepal — visit in person or ask for a live video tour any time. Nothing goes to bulk until you approve a sample, and we work on fair, staged payment terms. See our duty-free advantage or request a sample — we’d rather earn your trust order by order than ask you to take it on faith.