Questions to Ask a Contract Manufacturer in the Philippines

Questions to Ask a Contract Manufacturer in the Philippines

Choosing a contract manufacturer is one of the most important decisions a brand makes early in its development. The wrong manufacturer creates compliance problems, inconsistent quality, and supply chain failures. Asking specific questions before you commit protects your investment and your brand.

These are the questions every brand owner should ask before signing a manufacturing agreement in the Philippines.

Read our complete manufacturing guide

Why Asking the Right Questions Matters

An FDA license number tells you a manufacturer is legally permitted to operate. It does not tell you how they handle quality failures, what their documentation looks like, or whether they have experience with your specific product type.

Most manufacturers present themselves favorably during the inquiry stage. Asking structured, specific questions forces concrete answers that reveal operational reality. For a broader overview of how to evaluate manufacturers, see How to Choose a Contract Manufacturer in the Philippines.

Use our free product planning tools to build a manufacturer evaluation checklist before your first call.

Question 1 — Are You FDA Licensed and What Is Your LTO Number

All cosmetics, personal care, and household product manufacturers in the Philippines must hold a valid FDA License to Operate. This is a legal requirement, not a quality credential. Ask for the specific LTO number and verify it yourself on the Philippine FDA website.

Check that the license is current, covers the correct product category, and is registered to the facility address you plan to visit. A manufacturer who cannot provide their LTO number immediately, or whose number does not verify online, should be disqualified. Orsolab holds FDA LTO No. LTO-3000006301418, verifiable on the FDA Philippines portal.

For more on FDA licensing requirements, see FDA Licensed Manufacturer Philippines.

Question 2 — Are You GMP Certified

Good Manufacturing Practices certification is issued by the Philippine FDA following an on-site facility audit. GMP certification confirms that the manufacturer meets hygiene, documentation, equipment maintenance, and quality control standards. It is separate from the LTO and not automatic.

Ask for the GMP certificate and the date it was issued. Some facilities are FDA-licensed but not GMP-certified. For institutional buyers, export products, and brands that need to show compliance documentation to retailers or distributors, GMP certification is a standard requirement. Orsolab is GMP-certified by the Philippine FDA. For more detail, see GMP Certified Manufacturer Philippines.

Question 3 — What Products Do You Specialize In

Manufacturing a vitamin C serum and manufacturing a dishwashing liquid require different raw materials, different equipment, different formulation expertise, and different regulatory frameworks. Ask for a list of product categories the manufacturer produces commercially and request examples similar to your target product.

A manufacturer with strong experience in one category may have limited capability in another. If your product is not in their regular production scope, the learning curve adds risk and time to your project. Ask specifically: have you manufactured this type of product before, and can you show me examples?

Question 4 — What Is Your Minimum Order Quantity

MOQ is the minimum batch size a manufacturer will accept per production run. In the Philippines, 250kg per SKU is the standard minimum for most contract manufacturers. Ask for the MOQ in kilograms, not just in units, because unit count varies significantly by fill volume.

For reference, 250kg of 30ml serum produces approximately 8,300 units. 250kg of 200ml shampoo produces approximately 1,250 units. If the MOQ exceeds your budget, ask whether a development batch at a lower volume is available while you validate the market. Orsolab's MOQ is 250kg per SKU.

Question 5 — What Is Your Typical Lead Time

Lead time from order confirmation to finished goods varies by product complexity and manufacturer capacity. For a new product with custom formulation, the full timeline includes formula development, sample rounds, regulatory documentation, and production. A realistic first-run timeline is 8 to 14 weeks.

For reorders of approved formulations, lead time is shorter, typically 4 to 6 weeks covering raw material procurement and production. Ask for a breakdown of each stage, not just a total number. Be cautious of any manufacturer quoting unusually short timelines for a first-time production run involving custom formula development.

Question 6 — Do You Handle FDA Documentation

To register your product with the Philippine FDA, you need documentation from your manufacturer. This includes the facility LTO, GMP certificate, Certificate of Product Analysis, and batch production records. Ask whether the manufacturer prepares and provides this documentation as part of their standard service.

Some manufacturers include documentation support in their service fee. Others treat document preparation as a separate request with additional lead time and cost. Clarify upfront what documents they provide, in what format, and how quickly they can issue them after production.

Question 7 — Can I Visit Your Facility

Reputable manufacturers welcome facility visits for client due diligence. A walk-through of the production floor, raw material storage, filling area, and QC laboratory reveals operational discipline that documentation alone cannot show.

Ask whether visits are permitted, whether advance scheduling is required, and what areas of the facility are accessible to clients. A manufacturer who discourages or prevents visits is a red flag. Orsolab's facility in Tanza, Cavite is approximately 45 minutes from Metro Manila via CAVITEX and is accessible for client visits by appointment.

Question 8 — What Happens If There Is a Quality Issue

Ask specifically: if a batch does not meet agreed specifications, what is your process? A manufacturer with a clear quality resolution protocol will describe specific steps — hold the batch, conduct root cause analysis, rework or replace at their cost if the failure is their fault, and issue corrective documentation.

Vague answers on this question indicate the manufacturer does not have a formal quality escalation process. Get a written commitment on quality issue resolution before production starts. Negotiating this after a problem has already occurred is far more difficult.

Question 9 — What Are Your Payment Terms

Payment terms affect your working capital planning. Standard terms in Philippine contract manufacturing are typically 50% downpayment on order confirmation and 50% balance prior to delivery. Some manufacturers require full payment upfront for first orders with new clients.

Ask whether terms change for repeat orders. Ask how raw material price increases are handled if there are supply cost changes between your order date and production date. Understanding payment terms before committing prevents cash flow surprises later.

Question 10 — Can You Provide References

Ask for contacts from current or past clients manufacturing products similar to yours. A manufacturer with established client relationships will be willing to provide at least one reference contact or documented case study.

If a manufacturer cannot provide references due to client confidentiality agreements, that is understandable. Ask instead for a category portfolio, production photos, or examples of similar products they have manufactured commercially. Completely declining to offer any evidence of prior work is a red flag.

Red Flags to Watch For

These responses should end the evaluation immediately:

No LTO number provided or a number that cannot be verified on the FDA portal. This is disqualifying regardless of any other claims.

Prices that are significantly below market without a clear explanation. Very low quotes often reflect substandard raw materials, formula dilution, or unlicensed production.

Full payment demanded before any samples are produced or reviewed. Legitimate manufacturers structure payment around production milestones.

Refusal to share facility documentation or permit client visits. Transparency is standard in compliant manufacturing operations.

Inconsistent or vague answers about GMP certification status. GMP is a documented, auditable status with a certificate issued by the FDA. There is no ambiguity.

For more on selecting the right manufacturing partner, see Manufacturing Partner Philippines and Contract Manufacturing Philippines.

Get your free personalized manufacturing starter kit with a manufacturer evaluation template and checklist.

FAQs

How do I verify a manufacturer's FDA license in the Philippines?

Go to the Philippine FDA website and use the license verification portal. Search by company name or LTO number. Confirm the license is active, covers the correct product category, and lists the correct facility address. Orsolab's LTO No. LTO-3000006301418 is verifiable through this portal.

What is the standard MOQ for contract manufacturers in the Philippines?

Most FDA-licensed contract manufacturers require a minimum order of 250kg per SKU. This is the batch size at which production becomes economically viable for both manufacturer and brand. Orsolab's MOQ is 250kg per SKU.

What documents should a manufacturer provide for FDA product registration?

Your manufacturer should provide a copy of their valid FDA LTO, their GMP certificate, a Certificate of Product Analysis for your specific batch, and production batch records. These documents are required for FDA product notification or registration in the Philippines.