1. Home
  2. Factory visits

Factory visits in China, with someone at your side

All year round, outside fair periods: we organise and lead your supplier visits in South China.

In short

All year round, outside fair periods, we organise and lead your supplier visits in South China: shortlisting, appointments, travel, interpreting and a written report. Rate: €300 per day; transport and hotel at your expense.

Why visit outside the fair

On a booth, everyone looks good. In the factory you see the machines, the stock, the workers, and how quality control is really done, or not.

Outside fair periods, the owner has time for you, hotels are back to normal prices, and you can spend half a day with a single supplier.

What we check on site

  • The business licence matches the name of the factory you are visiting
  • Machines and workforce are consistent with the volumes quoted
  • Production is not subcontracted elsewhere without your knowledge
  • Quality control exists and is documented
  • The certificates shown are genuine
  • Your contact has the authority to commit on price and lead times

The main industrial hubs of South China

South China, and Guangdong province in particular, accounts for a considerable share of the country's exports. Each city has its specialities.

City or areaMain specialities
ShenzhenElectronics, components, connected devices
DongguanVery diverse manufacturing: shoes, furniture, toys, electronics
FoshanFurniture, ceramics, aluminium, home appliances
ZhongshanLighting, especially the town of Guzhen
GuangzhouTextiles, leather goods, cosmetics, wholesale markets
ShantouToys, in Chenghai district
ChaozhouCeramics and porcelain

An indicative list. For any given product, we identify the most relevant areas during the first call.

See the interactive map of industrial hubs across China

How the visits are organised

  1. Briefing

    Your product, volumes, and quality and certification requirements.

  2. Shortlist

    Remote research and checks on factories, then appointments.

  3. Visits

    Travel organised, interpreting and prepared questions for each site.

  4. Report

    One sheet per factory: what we saw, the strengths, the reservations.

Frequently asked questions

How many factories can we visit in a day?
Two, sometimes three if they are in the same area. A proper visit takes two to four hours including the discussion afterwards; beyond that, you are only skimming.
How far ahead should factories be contacted?
Allow two to three weeks. That leaves time to check the company before the meeting and to make sure the decision-maker will be there.
Where do the visits take place?
In South China: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, Zhongshan and the region's other industrial hubs. This is the ground we know, and it covers a very large share of what China exports.
Can several of us come?
Yes. The standard offer is one company per day, but we can organise visits for a small group of companies from the same sector, which also lets you share transport costs.
Can you handle the visits without me?
For that, Saigalé offers a full sourcing service, with factory audits and photo reports. See our sourcing service.

Planning a buying trip to China?

Tell us about your project. We reply within one business day with a written proposal.

Plan my visit