| Product Design | Spout control and pouring accuracy | The gooseneck spout should provide a stable, controllable stream without sudden splashing or dripping. Test at both slow and fast pouring speeds. | Pre-shipment sample, controlled pour test, video showing different pouring angles, and a written specification for spout dimensions. | High Risk
The supplier provides only product photos and refuses a functional sample. |
| Capacity and Usability | Nominal capacity versus usable capacity | Confirm the nominal capacity in litres and define the usable fill level separately. A kettle should not be marketed at its maximum brim capacity if safe operation requires a lower fill level. | Calibrated volume test, dimension drawing, product specification sheet, and instructions stating the maximum safe fill level. | Medium Risk
Capacity is described only with approximate terms such as “large” or “professional.” |
| Materials | Body, lid, handle, and spout materials | Material grades and surface finishes should be stated clearly. Any food-contact material should be suitable for the intended hot-water application and free from sharp edges. | Material declaration, bill of materials, food-contact compliance documents, and an independent laboratory report when required by the destination market. | High Risk
The quotation uses vague terms such as “premium metal” without identifying the material grade. |
| Food-Contact Safety | Compliance with destination-market requirements | Select the applicable rules according to the import country. For China, food-contact materials are commonly assessed under the GB 4806 series; other markets may require their own food-contact framework. | Product-specific test report, declaration of compliance, migration test results, and traceability information for food-contact components. | High Risk
A general certificate is supplied for a different product, material, or factory. |
| Heating Compatibility | Applicable heat sources | Verify whether the kettle is designed for induction, gas, electric coil, ceramic, or non-heating use. Compatibility depends on the base construction and material. | Manufacturer heat-source specification, base construction details, heating test, and user instructions. | High Risk
The listing claims “all stovetops” without test evidence or clear restrictions. |
| Thermal Safety | Handle, lid, and exterior temperature | The handle should remain secure during normal use, and the design should reduce accidental contact with hot surfaces. Exact temperature limits must be verified for the final design. | Heat-up and handling test, handle attachment inspection, thermal photographs or measurements, and safety instructions. | Medium Risk
The handle or lid becomes loose after repeated heating and cooling cycles. |
| Leak Prevention | Seams, lid fit, and spout connection | No leakage should occur from welded seams, the lid area, or the spout connection during filling, pouring, and normal heating conditions. | Water-fill inspection, pour-cycle test, pressure or seam inspection where relevant, and a documented defect-acceptance standard. | High Risk
Samples show seepage, inconsistent welds, pinholes, or a lid that falls out during pouring. |
| Manufacturing Quality | Process control and inspection system | A reliable manufacturer should define incoming-material inspection, in-process checks, final inspection, and corrective-action procedures. ISO 9001 certification may support process evaluation but does not replace product testing. | Quality manual, inspection checklist, corrective-action records, factory audit, and a sample inspection report. | Medium Risk
Quality is based only on visual inspection with no recorded acceptance criteria. |
| Customization | OEM and private-label capability | Confirm whether the supplier can handle approved changes to capacity, finish, handle design, packaging, markings, and instruction manuals without changing critical materials or performance. | Engineering drawing, approved sample, artwork proof, change-control procedure, and pre-production sample approval. | Medium Risk
The supplier changes materials or dimensions without written approval. |
| Minimum Order Quantity | MOQ and trial-order flexibility | MOQ is supplier-specific and should be negotiated according to material sourcing, tooling, packaging, and customization requirements. A small trial order is useful before a large production run. | Written quotation showing MOQ, sample charges, tooling charges, production quantity, and the conditions for repeat orders. | Medium Risk
The supplier will not disclose whether pricing or materials change at different quantities. |
| Pricing Transparency | Total landed-cost structure | Compare product price, packaging, tooling, inspection, inland transport, export documentation, freight, duties, and destination charges rather than comparing unit price alone. | Itemized quotation, Incoterms such as FOB or CIF, payment terms, sample costs, and a confirmed validity period for the offer. | High Risk
The supplier gives an unusually low unit price but adds unclear charges later. |
| Lead Time | Sample and mass-production schedule | Obtain separate timelines for engineering, sampling, material preparation, production, inspection, and shipment. Lead time should begin after specifications and deposit are confirmed. | Production schedule, purchase-order milestones, capacity confirmation, and written delay-notification procedure. | Medium Risk
The quoted lead time does not state when the production clock starts. |
| Packaging | Protection against dents, scratches, and moisture | Packaging should protect the spout, lid, handle, and surface finish during handling and transport. Carton dimensions and packing quantity should be confirmed for freight planning. | Packaging specification, drop-test or transport-test results when applicable, carton photos, and packing list. | Medium Risk
Fragile components are packed without internal separation or protective material. |
| Traceability | Batch and production-record management | Each production lot should be traceable to raw materials, production dates, inspection results, and shipment records. This is especially important for food-contact products. | Batch-number format, production records, inspection reports, material certificates, and retention policy for quality documents. | High Risk
The supplier cannot identify which materials or production lot were used for a sample. |
| Pre-Shipment Inspection | Independent or buyer-approved inspection | Inspect quantity, dimensions, appearance, function, packaging, markings, and random samples before shipment. Use written acceptance criteria agreed before production. | Inspection plan, approved golden sample, defect classification, inspection report, and photographs of packed goods. | High Risk
The supplier requests final payment before allowing inspection or refuses independent inspection. |
| Communication | Technical response and after-sales support | The supplier should answer technical questions consistently, confirm changes in writing, provide a responsible contact, and explain the process for handling defects or replacement claims. | Written communication record, warranty or defect policy, escalation contact, and examples of corrective-action responses. | High Risk
Important specifications are communicated only verbally or change between quotation and production. |
| Supplier Verification | Legal entity and manufacturing-site consistency | Confirm that the contracting entity, payment beneficiary, factory address, product scope, and export documents are consistent. A trading company can be acceptable when its factory relationship is transparent. | Business registration details, factory address, audit report, export documentation, product catalogue, and a verified video or on-site visit. | High Risk
The bank account, contract entity, and factory information do not match without a documented explanation. |
