A furniture factory audit checks six things before you pay a deposit: legal identity, real production capacity, a written quality-control system, material traceability, export packing and documents, and working conditions. Do it on site or by live video call, and bring the checklist below so every supplier is judged on the same points.
A strong catalogue and a quick reply do not prove a supplier can make your order. An audit takes half a day and protects a container of goods, your launch date and your brand. This checklist is the one we hand to buyers who audit us.
The checklist
1. Legal identity
- Business registration and export licence in the name that will invoice you.
- Factory address on the registration matches the site you visit.
- Bank account in the same company name.
2. Capacity and infrastructure
- Floor area and layout that follows the material flow.
- Moulds or machines for your product type, in use on the day.
- Headcount in production and QC; ask about turnover.
- Monthly output for your product family and how many slots are free.
3. Quality control
- Incoming material checks with records.
- In-process checkpoints at casting or cutting, finishing and assembly.
- A final inspection standard (for example AQL 2.5) and a sample QC photo report.
- Retained reference samples or colour chips for repeat orders.
4. Concrete and GFRC specific
- Batch records: weights, fibre content, operator, date.
- A curing area protected from sun and rain.
- Load and drop test records per model.
- Sealer product data and water-absorption test results for outdoor goods.
5. Packing and export
- Drop-tested packing per model; ISPM-15 pallets or crates.
- Loading plan and loading photos as standard.
- Experience with your market's origin documents and labelling.
6. Working conditions
- Dust extraction in grinding areas, masks and gloves in use.
- Fire exits and extinguishers; chemicals stored and labelled.
- Social audit reports (for example BSCI or SMETA) if your retailer requires them.
Q-Furniture's own seven QC steps are published on the factory page, with a sample report you can compare against.
Auditing remotely
If you cannot fly in, book a live video walk and ask the factory to point the camera where you choose: the mould store, the curing area, a QC record from last week. Then appoint a third-party inspector, such as SGS, Intertek or QIMA, for the pre-shipment inspection. We welcome both; see how we work.
Red flags
- The visit only covers a showroom or office.
- Too little production space for the volume being promised, which suggests subcontracting.
- No written QC standard or test records.
- Pressure for full payment before inspection.
Context on the wider market is in Vietnam furniture manufacturers: how to find and verify a factory.
FAQ
Should I audit the factory myself or hire a third party?
For a first large order you cannot attend, hire a third-party inspector for the audit and the pre-shipment inspection. If you can travel, a personal visit tells you the most.
How long does a furniture factory audit take?
A focused audit of one product family takes three to four hours on site, or about an hour by live video plus document review.
What is a social compliance audit?
An audit of working conditions, wages, hours and safety against a standard such as amfori BSCI or SMETA. Many European retailers require one.
Can I audit Q-Furniture?
Yes. Book a visit or a live video walk on the factory page, or send your inspector.
