Manufacturing is not an exact science like math. The question is not if, but how severe the quality issues are in your shipment.

• Most of the defects found during pre-shipment inspections are:
• Untrimmed thread ends
• Scratches
• Dirt marks
• Uneven surfaces
• Minor cosmetic issues
• These are to be expected. However, there are also more severe quality issues, such as:
• Loose parts
• Incorrect labels
• Incorrect design
• Peeling print
• Damages

No manufacturing country, including China, is free from quality issues—even if your products are made by robots.

What is unique to China, and most other countries in Asia, is that it is often difficult to return goods if you discover quality issues after they arrive in your own country.

For this reason, quality inspections are a crucial step in the process. You simply cannot skip this part.

We have extensive experience across a wide range of industries, including consumer electronics, textiles, home appliances, furniture, toys, machinery, and more. If your product falls outside these categories, we are still happy to assess feasibility.

Inspections can typically be arranged within 24–48 hours of confirmation, depending on the location and complexity of the service required

Yes, we can coordinate inspections across multiple suppliers or locations to help optimize costs and logistics. Please contact us in advance for multi-site scheduling.

Our reports include detailed findings, high-resolution images, measurements, checklists, defect classification, and overall results. Videos can also be provided upon request.

We offer transparent, flat-rate pricing for common services such as Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI), During Production Inspection (DPI), and Container Loading Supervision (CLS). Custom quotes are available for special projects or high volumes.

We provide nationwide coverage across all major manufacturing hubs in China, including Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong, Fujian, and inland provinces. Remote area inspections are also available with prior notice.

Absolutely. We offer on-site factory audits, background verification, capability assessments, and social compliance audits tailored to your sourcing needs.

Yes. All inspections and audits can be arranged and monitored remotely. We handle everything locally and send you a
comprehensive report digitally.

If major defects or issues are found, we will notify you immediately and assist in communicating with your supplier for corrective actions, re-inspection, or negotiation support if needed.

Yes, we provide on-site container loading supervision to ensure goodsare correctly packed and loaded. A detailed loading report will be issued, including photos and any irregularities observed

First, you should never consider a supplier who does not fully accept third-party inspection services.

Suppliers who reject, or even hesitate to accept, a quality inspection (and I mean always) have something to hide.

Such suppliers may intend to scam you or subcontract your order to a local sweatshop.

We recommend informing your supplier at the earliest stage—ideally before placing a sample order—that you intend to arrange a third-party quality inspection. This helps establish clear expectations and reinforces that you are a serious buyer with a structured quality assurance process.

Suppliers are more likely to cooperate and maintain higher standards when they understand that inspections are part of your standard operating procedure.

Standard Process:
1. You notify the supplier that a third-party inspection will be arranged.
2. You provide us with the factory’s contact details.
3. Our inspection team will coordinate directly with the factory to confirm the inspection schedule, location, and all technical
requirements.

This proactive approach ensures transparency, avoids last-minute delays, and helps you maintain control over product quality from the very beginning.

AQI Service recommends using ANSI Z1.4 2003 sampling tables to determine the number of units that will be randomly selected for evaluation. Based on the lot or batch size, code letters are assigned that cross-reference to the required sample size, depending on the sampling plan employed.

Single and double normal sampling plans are the most commonly used.

If you do not have existing sampling requirements, AQI Service can help determine which plan works best for your needs.

Samples are checked against a detailed inspection plan for appearance, applicable functionality, packaging integrity, workmanship, and more. If you do not currently have an inspection plan, AQI Service can assist.

Defects are classified as major, minor, or critical, depending on inspection plans. The acceptable quality level (AQL) is determined by totaling the defects and using the corresponding accept/reject criteria within the sampling plan.

An AQL, or Acceptable Quality Limit, is a probability limit chosen for a given product or process characteristic. There are normally three limits chosen, one for critical, major, and minor. Usually, each of these three limits is different for each category. A typical sampling plan would be as follows:

Level: General Level II

Critical: 0

Major: 2.5

Minor: 4.0

The lower the number, the fewer defects can be accepted in the sample of the product. When choosing AQLs, it is important that one understands the balance between setting them too low, rejecting many shipments, setting them too high, and releasing unacceptable products.

• The quantity produced check (semi-finished, finished, and packed)
• The product specifications check (size, dimensions, colors)
• The labeling and marking check
• The packing and packaging check
• All possible functions and possible on-site tests (safety, abuse, printing, etc)
• Dimensions and measurements
• Visual inspection (look for damages and defects)

The goal is to verify that the product is matching all specifications and quality requirements.

Within one working day after the quality inspection is completed, the inspection agency will send you a PDF report containing photos and other collected data. This includes product dimensions, defect descriptions, the number of defects found, and more.

You may also request videos.

Keep in mind that the PDF report will correspond to the quality inspection checklist you provided or the standard inspection checklist. The inspector will not improvise during the inspection.

Yes, you should inform your supplier that you intend to arrange a quality control inspection as early as possible, even before you have placed a sample order.

It's crucial that the supplier understands you are a buyer with a serious quality assurance process in place—not a gullible buyer who bends over backward to accommodate the supplier. Suppliers have no respect for buyers who give in easily to their demands.

You can also let them know that your inspection agency will contact them to schedule a pre-shipment inspection or factory audit, if needed.