What To Check Before Importing Machined Parts From China

Find Out Who Owns The Machines

Ask which machines the part runs on, by make and configuration. A plant answers immediately because the machines are theirs. A trading company either cannot answer or gives you a list that changes between emails.

• Ask for the machine make and axis count
• Ask who does the inspection and on what instruments
• Ask what is subcontracted and to whom

Ask What Happens On The Fifth Order

Anyone can make a good first sample. The question is whether the program, tooling and material specification are archived so order five looks like order one, and whether the supplier will tell you before changing anything.

Structure The First Order To Prove Something

A sample proves the drawing can be met. A small production batch proves the process is stable. Doing both, in that order, costs very little and tells you far more than a single large first order.

• Samples first, with a dimensional report
• Then a qualification batch at real production settings
• Then a schedule, once both have passed

Custom Turned Component Set

Check The Certification Claim Carefully

ISO 9001 is a quality management certification. It is not IATF 16949 and it is not ISO 13485. A supplier who blurs those is telling you something about how they will describe other things later.

Agree Packing And Documents Before Shipping

Packing format, labelling, and the documents your customs broker needs should be agreed before the first shipment, not discovered when the goods are already at the port.