Inspection & Audit
Pre-shipment Inspection
Identifying problems before goods leave the factory may reduce expensive disputes after arrival. We help buyers specify inspection criteria, coordinate product checks and review results before release decisions.
When it fits
When to use a pre-shipment inspection
Finished goods are ready and you must decide whether to authorise shipment.
You want to avoid paying for, shipping and returning defective goods.
Your contract or letter of credit requires inspection evidence.
You have experienced quality issues on previous orders from this supplier.
Scope
Possible deliverables
- Inspection checklist from your spec
- Sampling approach when appropriate
- Defects log with photos
- Inspection report
- Shipment decision support
Process
Pre-shipment process
- 01
Criteria
Inspection criteria, sampling plan and acceptable quality levels are agreed before the inspection.
- 02
Sampling
Where appropriate, a sampling approach such as AQL is applied to select units.
- 03
Product checks
Units are checked against functional, dimensional, appearance and packaging requirements.
- 04
Reporting
A written report with a defects log and photos supports your release decision.
- 05
Decision
We recommend ship, conditionally ship, rework or hold — you make the final call.
Honest boundaries
What pre-shipment inspection does not guarantee
- Sampling-based inspection cannot guarantee zero defects across the entire shipment.
- It assesses the sample inspected at the time of visit, not goods already shipped or later produced.
- It does not verify customs compliance, certificates or import requirements of the destination market.
Frequently asked questions
When should an inspection happen?
Typically once production is complete and goods are packed, but before they leave the factory or are consolidated for shipment — the inspection needs to be scheduled before your release deadline.
Do you use AQL?
AQL sampling is used where appropriate and agreed in advance. For critical or low-volume items we can use defined checklists and 100% checks of critical points.
Does an inspection guarantee zero defects?
No inspection based on sampling can guarantee zero defects. It provides evidence about the inspected sample and reduces, but does not eliminate, risk.
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Ready when you are
Tell us what you need to source.
Share your product specifications, target market, estimated order volume and timeline. We will review the project and discuss a suitable approach.