Privacy Policy

Who we are

China Factory Agent (“we”, “us”) provides independent on-site inspection services at factories in China for buyers based outside China. This notice explains what personal information we collect through this website and during a commission, why we collect it, and what rights you have.

For any privacy question, or to exercise a right described below, contact us at the email address shown on the contact page.

What we collect

We try to collect only what is needed to quote and carry out an inspection.

• Contact details you submit: name, company, email address, phone or messaging handle, country.
• Order details: factory name and address, product description, quantities, dates, and any documents you attach (spec sheets, purchase orders, packing lists).
• Payment records: the amount, currency, date and status of the service fee, and the identifiers returned by our payment processor. We do not receive or store your full card number.
• Technical data: IP address, browser type and pages visited, kept in server logs for security and troubleshooting.
• Correspondence: emails and messages you send us, and the reports and photographs we produce for your order.

Why we use it

We do not sell personal information, and we do not use your data for advertising profiles.

• To answer your inquiry and prepare a quote (before a contract exists, at your request).
• To carry out the inspection you commissioned and deliver the report (performance of our contract).
• To take payment of the service fee and keep accounting records (contract and legal obligation).
• To keep the site secure, prevent abuse and diagnose faults (legitimate interests).
• To tell you about a change that affects an order you have placed (contract).

Payments

Card payments are processed by Stripe. When you pay, your card details go directly to Stripe and are never stored on our servers. Stripe acts as an independent controller of the payment data it collects for fraud prevention and regulatory purposes; its own privacy notice applies to that processing.

Cookies and analytics

The public site uses only the cookies required to serve pages securely. If analytics are added later, this notice will be updated before they are switched on, and any non-essential cookie will be opt-in where the law requires consent.

Who we share it with

Service providers act on our instructions and are only given what they need to perform their function.

• Payment processor (Stripe) to take the service fee.
• Hosting and email providers that run this website and deliver our mail.
• Accountants or auditors, where required for tax and bookkeeping.
• Authorities, where we are legally required to disclose.

International transfers

We operate from China, and our service providers may process data in other countries. Where personal data of individuals in the UK or the European Economic Area is transferred, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses, or on the necessity of the transfer to perform our contract with you.

How long we keep it

• Inquiries that do not become orders: up to 24 months, so we can pick up the conversation again.
• Order and inspection records, including reports and photographs: for as long as you may need them and for our own liability cover, typically 6 years.
• Accounting and tax records: for the period required by applicable law.
• Server logs: a short period, normally under 90 days.

Security

Access to order data and reports is restricted to the operator. Reports are delivered through private links or email, not published on the open web. No system is perfectly secure, but we take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect the information we hold.

Your rights

Depending on where you live — for example under the UK/EU GDPR or California law — you may have the right to access, correct, delete or receive a copy of your personal information, to object to or restrict certain processing, and to complain to a supervisory authority.

To exercise any of these rights, email us and describe your request. We will respond within the period required by applicable law. We may need to verify your identity before acting.

Children

Our services are for businesses. This website is not directed at children and we do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 16.

Changes to this notice

If this notice changes in a way that affects you, the updated version will be published on this page with a new date. Material changes affecting an open order will also be sent to you by email.