What a Pre-Shipment Inspection Covers on Standard Goods

I inspect before you pay the balance. On a standard product that means a signed sample first, then a look at the packed bulk, not at a table of favorites the factory chose. The report is what you read. A chat message that says “goods are ok” is not a report.

Sample, then bulk

The golden sample is the reference: color, logo, packaging, and the function you sell. On a first order with a new factory I also want a look during production, while a mistake can still be stopped. The pre-shipment inspection happens when the goods are packed, or when packing is far enough along that the cartons I open are the cartons that will ship.

We agree a sample size before I go in. In plain language I pull cartons from the lot, not from one corner, and I sort what I find into critical, major, and minor defects. A critical defect is anything that can hurt someone or make the product illegal to sell. A major defect is something a customer would return. A minor defect is something they would notice and usually keep. The numbers we accept are written down. They are not a mood on the day.

The check changes with the product

• Every order: carton count, shipping marks, barcodes, assortment, and a comparison with the signed sample.
• Flasks: leak, vacuum, and capacity. Socks: measure, wash, and color rub. Toys: small parts, sharp edges, and the age grade on the pack.
• Lamps: the driver powers up, the wiring is the wiring in the file, and the shade survived the carton.
• Wigs: fiber against the contract, length, and a comb-out on the approved color.

I photograph the closed carton, the open unit, and any defect. You see those photos with the count. If the lot fails, it stays. We do not relabel a failure into a sailing. That is the whole point of doing this in China, before the balance and before the bill of lading.

Keep reading

• China Export Documents a Buyer Should Actually Read
• Plastic Toys, Wooden Toys, and the Tests That Matter
• Vacuum Flasks from Yongkang: Steel, Lids, and Leak Tests