Quality checks
Pre-Shipment Inspection in China: What to Check Before Dispatch
A practical guide to checking goods before they leave China: prepare the instructions, review the findings and decide how to handle problems before dispatch.
CN Supply · Published: · Reviewed:
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Before goods leave China, check them against the order you actually agreed. Start with the model, quantity, accessories, visible condition and packaging, then add any product-specific tests you need.
The most useful instruction is not “please check the quality”. It is a clear list of what the inspector should compare, what counts as a problem and what evidence you want back.
Prepare the inspection before the goods are ready
Send the final specification, the approved sample reference if you have one, and the order details. Explain which features matter most to your customers.
For example, if a product is sold as a set, the check should cover the pieces included in that set. If a part must fit another item, explain how the fit should be checked. Do not leave those decisions until the inspector is standing beside the cartons.
SGS’s description of final random inspection includes checks of quality, quantity, packaging and labelling. Use those categories as a starting point, then agree the work needed for your product.
What should be on the inspection list?
| Area | What to specify |
|---|---|
| Product | Exact model, variant and reference |
| Quantity | What should be counted and how the order is packed |
| Appearance | The defects or differences that matter |
| Size and function | Measurements or tests, with suitable methods |
| Accessories | Everything that should come with each item |
| Packaging and labels | Approved packing instructions and artwork |
Some checks need equipment or specialist knowledge. Ask about those before booking. A warehouse receiving check, a factory visit and a product inspection are different jobs, so describe the job you need.
Agree how the inspection will be done
Ask whether every item will be examined or whether the provider proposes a sampling plan. If sampling is proposed, ask why that plan suits the order and how defects will be recorded.
You do not need to choose a technical sampling code just because you have seen it online. Give the provider your product requirements and ask for an explanation you can use to make a decision.
Read the findings before approving dispatch
| Look for in the report | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Goods examined | Were the correct model and batch available? |
| Completed checks | Does the report cover your instructions? |
| Photos and measurements | Can you understand the findings? |
| Unfinished checks | What could not be checked, and why? |
| Problems found | What needs correcting or deciding before dispatch? |
If an important check was not completed, ask how it can be finished before you decide whether to dispatch.
If something is wrong
Send the supplier a clear list of the affected items and keep the supporting photos. Agree what must be corrected and whether another inspection is needed. Name the person who can approve release after the work is complete.
For the quotation, ask separately about the initial visit, specialist tests, a repeat visit and any repacking. There is no single inspection price that fits every order.
Inspection also does not replace checking the rules for selling a product in its destination market. If that is a concern, raise it before buying.
Start with a clear reference
The process is easier to explain when everyone works from the same product specification and approved sample. Agree those first, then decide how the finished goods will be checked.
Need help with your order?
Send us your product link or photos, the quantity you want and your delivery country and city. Tell us if you need samples, product photos, a factory visit, inspection or help combining supplier orders. If you know the packed weight and dimensions, include them too. We can discuss the work and confirm the price before you decide. Contact us on WhatsApp or Telegram.
Questions before ordering
Can you check my goods before they leave China?
Send the product details, quantity, supplier location and the checks you need. We can discuss the available arrangements and confirm the work and price before booking.
Is a photo of the finished goods enough?
It may answer a simple question about appearance, but it does not confirm every item, function or material property. Ask for the evidence needed for your particular product.
Does passing inspection guarantee that there are no defects?
No. Read what was checked, how many items were examined and which checks were not completed. A sampling inspection does not examine every item.
What happens if the inspector finds a problem?
Review the findings with the supplier and agree the next step. That may mean correcting the goods, replacing affected items or arranging another check before you approve dispatch.