Supplier due diligence
Use this checklist before approving a sauna supplier, sample order, production deposit, balance payment, or repeat-order plan. It separates proof from promise across supplier identity, factory photos, product scope, compliance, quote assumptions, QC, packing, and after-sales support.
Due diligence should happen before price negotiation becomes emotional. A lower quote only matters after supplier details and order scope are clear.
Seven Gates Before Supplier Approval
Sauna Supplier Due Diligence Checklist
| Gate | Verify | Evidence to request | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity | Supplier role and accountable contact | Company profile, export owner, sauna product range, buyer role fit, and direct RFQ contact. | Only a generic catalog or no named owner for buyer questions. |
| Factory | Real production capability | Factory tour, workshop photos, material prep, finished samples, QC area, packing, and loading proof. | Stock images only, no sauna workshop records, or no similar-order proof. |
| Product | Specification scope | Model code, dimensions, capacity, wood, heater, voltage, controller, glass, accessories, labels, and manuals. | Quote hides heater, voltage, wood, accessory list, or document scope. |
| Compliance | Destination-market questions | Voltage, manual language, labels, certificate-scope questions, importer responsibility, and installer review needs. | Supplier promises compliance without explaining scope or buyer responsibility. |
| Quote | Commercial assumptions | MOQ, incoterm, payment, lead time, packing, included items, exclusions, warranty, and quote validity. | Price-only quote or “same as picture” scope without written inclusions. |
| QC and packing | Pre-shipment control | Inspection checklist, product photos, labels, carton marks, packing proof, issue closure, and documents. | No inspection proof before balance payment or no packing photo record. |
| After-sales | Warranty and spare parts route | Warranty terms, claim photo checklist, service ticket path, spare parts, replacement process, and owner. | Warranty exists but no claim workflow, spare-part plan, or escalation owner. |
Model-level due diligence
Supplier due diligence by sauna model family
Before approving a supplier, importers should test whether the factory can answer model-specific questions with photos, drawings, certificates, packing notes, and after-sales commitments. Use this matrix to turn generic supplier checks into a concrete product shortlist.
| Model family | Reference product | Proof to ask for | Risk if missing | RFQ action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel sauna | CSA-01 red cedar barrel sauna | Exterior photo set, wood species confirmation, hoop hardware, roof finish, heater option, crate photo. | Buyer receives a visually similar barrel sauna but with changed material, weak hardware, or unclear weather protection. | Request final length, diameter, bench layout, heater type, packing size, and private-label marks in the same RFQ. |
| Outdoor cube sauna | CSA-02 outdoor cube sauna | Wall build-up, glass/door detail, base frame, ventilation detail, loading method, sample finish photos. | Project quote looks complete but installation risks remain hidden until site delivery. | Lock footprint, voltage, glass side, door swing, exterior cladding, roof finish, and delivery packing method. |
| Commercial sauna | CSA-05 commercial cedar sauna | Submittal drawing, heater certificate, bench structure note, maintenance access, installation manual. | Hotel, gym, or spa buyer cannot approve installation, safety review, or handover documents on time. | Attach project room size, peak use, heater power, controller need, compliance target, and handover file request. |
| Wood-fired outdoor sauna | Wood-fired outdoor sauna room | Stove and chimney detail, heat shield layout, exterior coating, loading photo, spare-part availability. | Destination compliance, fire clearance, and after-sales parts become unclear after deposit. | Ask for chimney kit, stove position, fireproofing notes, replacement parts, and destination-country warnings before quote approval. |
Questions to Copy Into Supplier Verification
Factory photos
Can you share workshop, material, production, QC, packing, and finished-sample evidence for sauna models similar to our buyer role and destination market?
Quote scope
What exactly is included and excluded in the quote, including heater, voltage, wood, accessories, packing, labels, manuals, warranty, and spare parts?
Compliance
Which certificate documents, label requirements, voltage assumptions, manual language, and importer responsibilities apply to our destination market?
After-sales
Who owns warranty review, what claim photos are required, what spare parts are available, and how are replacements or service escalations handled?
Due Diligence Resources
Factory Details
Factory Details
Route each due-diligence gap to supplier details, RFQ, quote, QC, packing, shipment, or after-sales evidence.
Supplier Trust Center
Supplier Trust Center
Review CSauna proof signals before treating a catalog or price list as supplier details.
Supplier Scorecard
Supplier Scorecard
Turn due-diligence answers into a supplier score before deposit or sample approval.
Factory Audit
Factory Audit
Use audit questions when factory role, production capability, materials, QC, or packing need proof.
Manufacturer Vetting
Manufacturer Vetting Guide
Compare supplier identity, sauna specialization, factory photos, material control, and service readiness.
RFQ Question Bank
RFQ Question Bank
Convert verification gaps into RFQ questions before the next supplier message.
Quote Scorecard
Quote Scorecard
Compare quotes only after included scope, incoterm, packing, warranty, and lead time are clear.
After-Sales Evidence
After-Sales Evidence
Verify claim photos, service owner, replacement route, warranty limits, and spare parts.
Next step
Turn Due Diligence Gaps Into an RFQ
If supplier details is missing, do not rely on chat notes. Turn the gap into an RFQ field, audit question, inspection requirement, quote assumption, packing request, or after-sales responsibility before the next approval step.
Factory Photos for Supplier Due Diligence
Use this proof set to connect supplier due diligence with factory identity, workshop context, material handling, assembly, inspection, and finished sauna review.
