Last reviewed: October 17, 2026. Entry rules below are as of October 17, 2026 and can change at short notice. Always confirm with the Chinese embassy or consulate that serves you before you book.
A factory trip checklist is the list of tasks a hardware founder completes before, during and after a first visit to factories in Shenzhen: entry documents, money and phone setup, a request pack for suppliers, rules for each visit, and a follow-up plan. Working through it in order keeps a short trip from turning into tourism.
Get the checklist as a PDF
The Shenzhen Hardware Founder Playbook 2026 includes a printable version of this checklist. Print it, tick the boxes and take it with you.
What should you do before you book flights?
- Set one goal for the trip. For example: build a shortlist of suppliers for your enclosure and boards, or validate a quote you already have.
- Check your passport. Look at the expiry date and the number of blank pages, and check the embassy's current requirements.
- Check entry rules for your passport. See the next section.
- Pick your arrival city. Many founders fly into Hong Kong and cross into Shenzhen by land or rail. Check the Hong Kong Immigration Department rules for your passport too.
- Block the dates with your hosts. Factories plan visits ahead. Confirm each one in writing.
What are the entry rules for US and EU founders?
As of October 17, 2026, and subject to change:
- Most EU passports: visa-free entry for business, tourism and visits for stays up to 30 days, until December 31, 2026, per the Chinese embassy notice of November 4, 2025. Check that your country is on the list.
- US passports: a visa is generally required for a normal business trip. The embassy lists a USD 140 single-entry fee at a reduced rate until December 31, 2026, per its fee notice, updated December 29, 2025.
- Transit option: eligible travelers passing through China to a third country may qualify for visa-free transit of up to 240 hours, under conditions the State Council announced on December 17, 2024. The rules on routes and onward tickets are strict.
Our full, dated post on China entry rules for US and EU founders explains each option, invitation letters and what to do if the rules change.
How do you set up money and phone before you fly?
- Set up mobile payments. Alipay and WeChat Pay both accept many foreign cards. The State Council published an official payment guide for overseas visitors (April 11, 2024). Link your card and test a small payment before you leave home.
- Carry some cash as a backup, and tell your bank you are traveling.
- Plan phone data. Buy a roaming plan or a travel eSIM and check that the apps you need for work will connect.
- Install a translation app and a map app that work locally, and download offline language packs.
- Pack plug adapters and check that your chargers accept the local voltage.
What goes into a supplier request pack?
A request pack is the short set of documents you send before a visit and bring on paper or a tablet. It turns a polite tour into a working meeting.
- A one-page company and product summary, with your stage and target launch window.
- A bill of materials (BOM), even a draft, with quantities you expect per year.
- Drawings or CAD that the supplier needs to quote their part only. Mark them confidential.
- Key specs: materials, finishes, tolerances, certifications you need, test requirements.
- Samples or photos of a prototype.
- Your list of questions for that supplier type. Our guide to the factory types founders visit lists good ones.
- A signed NDA, ideally an NNN agreement. See NDAs, IP and DFM before you visit.
How do you check a supplier before you visit?
- Ask for the business license and check it on the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System (gsxt.gov.cn).
- Ask for quality certificates and confirm each one with the body that issued it.
- Ask for customer references in your product category.
- Read our full process in how to find a manufacturer in Shenzhen.
What should you do during each factory visit?
- Arrive with an agenda. Share it with the host the day before.
- Ask about photo rules first. Never photograph other customers' products.
- Walk the line, not only the showroom. Ask to see incoming inspection, the production floor, testing and the warehouse.
- Meet the engineer, not only sales. Ask who will work on your project day to day.
- Write notes right after the visit. Record names, promises and next steps while they are fresh.
- Agree on one next step. A quote, a sample run or a call with engineering.
What should you buy or see outside the factories?
Set aside time for the Huaqiangbei electronics market to buy samples and see what ships today. Our Huaqiangbei guide explains how to buy and how to spot counterfeit parts. Meet local founders and investors in the evenings if you can; they often know which suppliers fit startups.
What should you do after the trip?
- Send a thank-you message to each host within a day or two, with your notes and the agreed next step.
- Score each supplier against the same criteria: capability, communication, quality system, price and fit.
- Request quotes on the same specs from your shortlist, so you can compare like for like.
- Order paid samples before any production order.
- Update your budget. Our post on the cost of a Shenzhen factory trip has a line-item template.
What should you pack for a factory week?
- Comfortable closed shoes. Factory floors are long walks, and many sites do not allow open shoes.
- Business cards. They are still widely exchanged. Add your name and company in Chinese on the back if you can.
- Samples and parts in labeled bags, with a short note on what each one is. Check airline rules for batteries before you pack any device.
- A laptop or tablet with your files offline. Do not rely on a connection to your cloud drive during a meeting.
- A small notebook. Writing by hand during a walk-through is often easier than typing, and it is polite.
- Small gifts from home for hosts who give you a lot of time. They are not required, but they are appreciated.
- Medicines and copies of prescriptions, plus a printed copy of your travel insurance and your hotel address in Chinese.
Keep your passport with you. Hotels and some transport services ask for it, and you need it when you cross between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Let the logistics be handled for you
The Future Factory × Illuminious: Shenzhen Founder Tour runs December 6–11, 2026. Hotel room, meals, ground transport, translation and all visits are included; flights, visa and travel insurance are not. Max 20 founders. A licensed Future Factory program, hosted by Illuminious.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I plan a first Shenzhen factory trip?
Start as early as you can. Visa processing, factory scheduling and flight prices all favor early planning. Check visa timing with the embassy first.
Do I need a visa to visit Shenzhen from the US?
As of October 17, 2026, US citizens generally need a visa for a business trip, unless they qualify for the 240-hour transit option. Confirm with the embassy before you book.
What is the most important item on the checklist?
The request pack. Suppliers can only give useful answers and quotes when they know what you are building and what you need from them.
Can I pay with a foreign credit card in Shenzhen?
Often, yes, through Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your card. Test the setup before you fly and carry some cash as a backup.
