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Quality inspection before you release the balance

An inspection is only worth anything if it happens while you still have leverage. We inspect before the balance payment leaves your account, which is the last moment the factory has a reason to fix things.

The problem

Catch the defect before it ships, not after it lands

Goods that fail after they land are your problem. Goods that fail before the balance is paid are the factory's problem. Everything about inspection timing follows from that single fact.

What is included

  • Pre-production inspection on raw materials and components
  • During production inspection at roughly 20 to 30 percent completion
  • Pre-shipment inspection against your agreed AQL sampling plan
  • Container loading supervision
  • Function, safety and drop testing where the product calls for it
  • Packaging, barcode, label and carton marking checks
  • Full photo and video documentation of every check
  • Written report issued within 24 hours of the inspection
  • Defect negotiation with the factory on your behalf

How it works

STEP 01 · 1 to 2 days

Set the standard

We agree the AQL levels, the checkpoints and what counts as a critical, major and minor defect, in writing, before production starts.

STEP 02 · At 20 to 30% built

Inspect in production

An early check catches a systemic problem while there is still time to correct the run rather than scrap it.

STEP 03 · 1 day on site

Pre-shipment

Random sampling against the AQL plan on finished, packed goods, with function and packaging checks.

STEP 04 · Within 24 hours

Report and decide

Report with photographs within 24 hours. You decide: accept, rework, discount or reject, and we negotiate it.

What you receive

  • Written inspection report with pass or fail verdict
  • Photo set covering defects, packaging and markings
  • Measurement and function test results
  • Defect classification against your AQL

How we charge

Inspections are charged as a fixed fee per man-day on site, quoted before booking. Most single SKU pre-shipment inspections are a one day job. There is no percentage of order value on this service.

In practice

Batch level inspection with photo evidence is now standard on every order for clients where consistency is the brand promise rather than a nice to have.

Questions

Quality Inspection, answered

What AQL level should I use?
For most consumer goods a 2.5 major and 4.0 minor plan is the common standard. For children's products, anything with a safety function or a premium price point, we usually tighten it. We will recommend a level for your category.
What if the inspection fails?
You have the report before the balance is released, which is the entire point. From there it is rework, discount or reject, and we handle that conversation with the factory.
Can you inspect goods from a supplier you did not source?
Yes. Inspection is a standalone service and a large share of our inspection work is on supplier relationships the client already had.
Do you supervise container loading?
Yes, including verifying carton counts, checking loading practice and photographing the seal.

Next step

Tell us what you need made, checked or shipped

Send the spec, a drawing or even a photo of a product you like. You get a sourcing plan and a quote comparison back, at no cost, before you commit to anything.