Vetting an Apparel Supplier: A 12-Point Checklist

Most sourcing disasters are visible during due diligence if you know what to ask. Work through this list before you send a deposit.

The checklist

1. Registered company name and export registration number
2. Physical factory address, verified on a video walkthrough
3. Categories they actually produce daily, not what they say they can do
4. Monthly capacity in pieces and current booked utilisation
5. Certifications relevant to your market, with valid dates
6. Three buyer references in your region
7. Written MOQ per style and per colour
8. Documented sampling process and lead times
9. In-house or third-party QC arrangements
10. Bank account in the same company name as the invoice
11. Written policy on defects, shortfalls and reworks
12. Named account contact and their escalation path

Red flags

• Reluctance to do a live video factory tour
• Bank details in a personal name or a third country
• Prices dramatically below every other quote
• No questions asked about your tech pack

Green flags

A good factory will push back on your spec. Questions about fabric substitutions, grading or trim availability show engineering capability, not obstruction.

Use this checklist on every supplier you shortlist — including us. Request a quote at beltasports.com and ask Belta Sports for factory details, references and samples before you commit.

Related reading

Planning a brand from scratch? Start with our pillar guide: How to Start a Sportswear Brand in 2027.

Once you have chosen a supplier, protect the transaction itself: How to safely pay a sportswear manufacturer.

Sourcing from Sialkot

If you are specifically considering Pakistan, our pillar guide to sourcing sportswear from Sialkot covers the industry, what you can realistically source there and what to expect as a buyer.

Go deeper: AQL inspection explained — what actually passes or fails a sportswear order

• Direct sourcing vs using a sourcing agent — should you go direct to a Sialkot manufacturer or pay an agent?