How to check a Chinese supplier using official public records
Answer
Three official Chinese systems cover most basic checks: the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System (registration, penalties, abnormal-operation list, annual reports), the China Customs enterprise credit platform (customs registration, credit rating, customs penalties), and the CNCA certification lookup (certificates and certification bodies). A record shows what is registered; it does not prove product quality or that a deal will be fulfilled.
- Applies to
- Overseas buyers checking a Chinese manufacturer or trading company before paying.
What each system shows
| System | Address | What you can see | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System | gsxt.gov.cn | Registration and filings, administrative penalties, abnormal-operation list, serious-violation list, annual report items (address, phone, status, shareholders' capital) | Interim Regulations on Enterprise Information Publicity, art. 6, 7, 9, 18 (official repost) |
| China Customs enterprise import-export credit platform | credit.customs.gov.cn | Customs registration, credit rating (advanced certified to seriously dishonest), customs penalties, abnormal list | GACC Order No. 282, in force 2026-04-01 |
| CNCA certification lookup | cx.cnca.cn | Certificates issued under CNCA rules, certification bodies, testing lab accreditation | SAMR Announcement No. 28 of 2026 |
Step by step
- Get the supplier's full Chinese company name and unified social credit code (18 characters) from the business licence.
- Search the code in gsxt: check status (active or not), registered address, abnormal or penalty records.
- If they export directly, check the customs platform for registration and credit rating.
- For any certificate they send, check it with the issuing body (see the CQC page).
- Make sure the company on the contract, the invoice and the bank account is the same entity. If not, ask why in writing.
Limits
- These systems may require real-name login or block some overseas IP addresses.
- Optional annual-report fields (staff, revenue) are self-reported and may be blank.
- No record does not automatically mean a problem; a clean record does not guarantee quality.
Still uncertain
- Whether overseas users must log in to search gsxt was not confirmed in this check.