How to Prepare for a Business Visit to a Supplier

Traveling internationally to visit a supplier is expensive and time-consuming. Arriving unprepared wastes that investment. A factory visit should be treated as a structured audit, not a casual tour.

What This Guide Helps You Navigate

• Pre-travel verification steps.
• Structuring the agenda of the visit.
• What specific evidence to collect while on-site.

What Public Information Cannot Establish

• Immigration/Travel Reality: We do not provide visa or legal travel advice. You must verify entry requirements independently.

1. Verify Before You Fly

Do not travel to meet a company whose basic legal existence you haven’t checked.

• Confirm their registration in the state registry.
• Verify the exact physical address of the meeting. Is it a factory in an industrial zone, or an office in a city center?
• Confirm exactly who you will be meeting and their legal role in the company.

2. Prepare Your Checklist

Define exactly what you need to see. Do not let the supplier control the entire agenda.

• Production Line: Ask to see the specific machinery that will manufacture your product.
• Raw Materials: Ask to see their current inventory of raw materials.
• Finished Goods: Inspect their warehouse for finished goods ready for shipment to other clients.
• Quality Control: Ask them to demonstrate their internal QC testing process.

3. Documents and Samples

• Bring your detailed product specifications.
• Request physical samples during the visit.
• Ask to review their original Capacity Report (if in Türkiye) or ISO certificates in person.

4. Communication Preparation

If you and the supplier do not share a highly fluent common language, hire an independent interpreter. Do not rely entirely on the supplier’s English-speaking sales representative, as they control the translation of your negotiations.

Important Limitations

A visual walk-through by a buyer is excellent for establishing general commercial reality, but it is not a substitute for an accredited technical Quality Control (QC) inspection. If your product requires strict technical tolerances, you must still hire a certified inspection agency before shipment.

When Local Coordination May Be Useful

If you need logistical support—such as arranging local transport from the airport to an industrial zone, or hiring an independent bilingual professional to accompany you to the meeting—DealyVIP can assist in coordinating these resources.