Counterfeit checks that actually work
A practical look at inspection, traceability and supplier history when buying outside authorised channels.
Buying outside authorised channels is sometimes the only way to keep a line running. It also brings counterfeit and substandard parts into play. The answer is not to avoid the open market, but to buy from it with checks that actually catch problems.
Start with the supplier, not the part
Ask how long the supplier has traded, which industry standards they work to, and how they handle a part that fails inspection. A supplier that offers clear return terms and full traceability is taking on part of the risk with you.
Traceability
Ask for the chain of custody back to the original manufacturer or authorised distributor, with original packaging labels and certificates of conformance. Gaps in the chain are a reason to test more, not a reason to trust less paperwork.
Inspection that matches the risk
- External visual inspection: markings, surface finish, lead condition and packaging.
- Marking permanence and resurfacing checks.
- X-ray to compare the die and bond wires against a known good part.
- Electrical testing of key parameters where the application demands it.
- Decapsulation for high-risk parts, to confirm the die itself.
Not every part needs every test. Match the depth of inspection to how critical the part is and how much traceability you have.
Make payment part of the control
Hold payment in escrow until the parts pass incoming inspection. It aligns the supplier's incentives with yours and keeps a failed lot from turning into a dispute.
If you need hard-to-find parts with inspection built in, talk to our sourcing team.
