Counterfeit electronic components remain a major risk in PCBA manufacturing. Fake or unauthorized parts can cause product failure, unstable performance, and serious quality issues—especially in industrial, automotive, and medical applications.

How Counterfeit Components Enter PCBA Supply Chains

Counterfeit parts often appear when:

Components are sourced from unauthorized channels

Substitutions are made without customer approval

Traceability and incoming inspection are insufficient

This is why component sourcing control is as important as PCB assembly quality.

Key Questions to Ask Your PCBA Supplier

1. Do You Follow Customer-Specified Component Requirements?

A reliable PCBA supplier should strictly follow customer instructions, including:

Using original manufacturer parts when required

Offering alternative components only with customer approval

Fully respecting BOM, AVL, and brand preferences

Any substitution without approval increases counterfeit risk.

2. Where Are Components Sourced From?

Ask whether components are sourced from:

Authorized distributors

Customer-approved channels

Traceable and documented suppliers

Clear sourcing policies are essential for authenticity.

3. Do You Provide Component Traceability?

Professional PCBA suppliers can provide:

Manufacturer and part number

Date codes and lot numbers

Original packaging information

Traceability protects both product quality and long-term supply stability.

4. How Do You Inspect Incoming Components?

Strong anti-counterfeit measures include:

Visual and labeling inspection

Electrical or functional sampling

X-ray or advanced inspection for critical components

Incoming Quality Control (IQC) is the first line of defense.

How PCBAMake Ensures Authentic Components

At PCBAMake, component sourcing is fully aligned with customer requirements.

We strictly follow customer instructions on:

• Whether original manufacturer components are required
• Whether approved alternatives may be used
• Whether substitutions are allowed at all

All components are purchased according to the approved BOM and sourcing rules, with full traceability and strict incoming inspection. No substitutions are made without customer confirmation.