How to Verify a Stone Factory & QC Your Order Before Shipment

Why Verification Matters in Stone

Stone is natural and hand-carved, which makes it easier to pass off defects than factory-stamped goods. Hairline cracks can be hidden with resin, color can vary between batches, and a so-called factory may be a trading office with no workshop at all. A short verification routine protects both your money and your schedule.

Step 1 - Confirm the Factory Exists

Ask for and check:

• Business license (ying ye zhi zhao) with the legal entity name - match it to the signatory on your contract.

• Workshop photos and a live video call to the carving floor (Quyang factories are usually happy to do this).

• Past export records - Bill of Lading copies, customs declarations, or existing customer references.

A genuine workshop can produce these in minutes; a pure middleman usually cannot show a carving floor.

Step 2 - Lock the Spec Before You Pay

Put everything in writing: material (exact marble or granite type), dimensions in cm, finish (polished, honed, rustic), design reference, quantity, MOQ, packing and Incoterm. Ambiguity in the specification is the leading cause of later disputes - a precise RFQ gets a precise quote.

Step 3 - Pre-Shipment QC Checklist

Before release, check the finished pieces against these points:

• No open cracks or resin-filled repairs on load-bearing areas.

• Color and veining consistent with the approved sample or photo.

• Carved detail matches the design - verify tier counts, lion details, inscriptions and so on.

• Dimensions within the agreed tolerance (commonly +/- 1-2%).

• Packing is export-grade: wooden crate, internal padding, no metal touching the stone face.

Ask for QC photos or a video walk-around of each piece before crating - a reputable partner provides this without being asked twice.

Step 4 - Protect Your Payment

Use a standard trade structure: a T/T deposit (often 30-50%) to begin production, with the balance paid against a copy of the Bill of Lading. Avoid full payment before the goods ship. Escrow or a letter of credit suits larger first orders. A reliable supplier will not object to payment tied to shipping documents.

How We Help

As a factory-direct sourcing partner rooted in Quyang, we verify workshops, manage production and provide pre-shipment QC reports on stone and other categories. Send us your requirements and we will respond within 24 hours with a clear quote and a verification plan.