How to find reliable Philippine suppliers (without getting scammed)
Finding a Philippine supplier online is easy. Finding a reliable one is harder. Here's what we've learned from building Philippine Source and from the founder's own experience importing Philippine mangoes (including getting scammed twice).
Check their business registration
Every legitimate Philippine business is registered with either the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) for sole proprietors or the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) for corporations. Ask for their registration number and verify it. Both agencies have online databases you can search.
If a supplier can't provide their registration number, walk away. This is the bare minimum.
Ask for their BIR Certificate of Registration
The BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) is the Philippine tax authority. A registered business has a BIR 2303 certificate. This proves they're paying taxes and operating legally. It also shows their registered address, which you can cross-reference with what they've told you.
Request samples before ordering
Never place a bulk order without seeing and testing samples first. A good supplier won't have a problem sending samples. They might charge for them, and they should charge for shipping. That's normal. What's not normal is a supplier who refuses to send samples or wants a large payment before sending anything.
Start small
Your first order should be small. One pallet, not a container. This tests everything: the product quality, the packaging, the documentation, the shipping timeline. If everything goes well, scale up on the second order.
Use video calls
Before committing to a supplier, do a video call. Ask to see their facility, their products, their team. A real supplier will be happy to show you. If someone keeps making excuses to avoid a video call, that's a red flag.
Get everything in writing
Agree on pricing, quantities, quality standards, payment terms, and shipping arrangements in writing before you send any money. Use the messaging system on Philippine Source so there's a record of everything.
Don't pay 100% upfront
Standard practice is a deposit of 30-50% upfront, with the balance paid before shipping (against inspection photos and documentation). If a supplier asks for 100% payment before production, that's a risk you don't need to take.
Check their export history
Ask if they've exported before, and to which countries. An experienced exporter will know the documentation requirements, the shipping process, and the common issues. A first-time exporter might struggle with the paperwork, which delays your shipment.
Use Philippine Source
This is why we built the platform. Every supplier on Philippine Source is verified against government records before they go live. You can see their verification status, read about their business, and message them directly. It doesn't eliminate all risk, but it eliminates the most common ones.