Inspection

There are four primary stages: Initial Production Check (IPC) to verify raw materials, During Production Check (DUPRO) to identify defects early when 20-50% of the order is finished, Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) which is the most common and occurs when 80-100% of goods are packed, and Container Loading Supervision (CLS) to ensure correct quantity and secure handling.

Buyers should use the ISO 2859-1 (AQL) standard. Typically, for consumer goods, a standard of 0 for Critical defects (safety issues), 2.5 for Major defects (functional failures), and 4.0 for Minor defects (cosmetic flaws) is recommended. You must specify these levels in your inspection booking to ensure the 'Pass/Fail' result aligns with your brand standards.

A professional inspection must cover Quantity Verification, Style & Color matching against approved samples, Field Tests (such as drop tests for packaging, hi-pot tests for electronics, or seam strength for textiles), and Labeling & Marking compliance (ensuring 'Made in China' marks and barcodes are correct).

Ensure the agency is ISO 17020 certified and holds CNAS accreditation if operating in China. For specific industries, look for specialized expertise; for example, TIC (Testing, Inspection, and Certification) Council membership indicates adherence to a strict code of integrity and professional conduct.

Implement a rotating inspector policy so the same person doesn't visit the same factory twice in a row. Use reputable agencies that have a strict anti-bribery code of conduct and digital reporting systems that require GPS-tagged photos and real-time uploads to prevent data tampering.

Never authorize shipment if the report is 'Failed'. Negotiate a re-work (rectification) plan with the supplier at their expense. Ensure your purchase contract states that the cost of a second inspection (re-inspection) after a failure will be deducted from the final payment to the supplier.

Link your payment to the inspection result. Use Letter of Credit (L/C) or Escrow services where the release of the final 70% balance is contingent upon the presentation of a 'Passed' Inspection Certificate issued by your nominated third-party agency.

Utilize the service channel on Made-in-China.com, which features verified third-party inspection partners. This ensures that the inspectors are familiar with local logistics and can provide reports within 24 hours of the site visit, facilitating faster decision-making.