China Product Inspection Checklist: What to Check Before Shipment

You've found a supplier, negotiated the price, and production is underway. Now comes the most critical step: quality inspection. Skip this, and you might open a container full of defective products — with no recourse.

Here's the exact inspection checklist we use at Guangzhou Click, refined over 20 years and thousands of shipments.

The Three Inspection Stages

Quality control isn't a single checkpoint — it's a process with three critical stages:

Stage 1: Pre-Production Inspection (PPI)

When: Before production starts. Raw materials are on-site but nothing has been manufactured yet.

What to check:

• Raw materials match specifications (type, grade, thickness, color)
• Components and parts are from approved suppliers
• Factory has correct molds, tooling, and machinery set up
• Production schedule is realistic for your deadline
• QC team understands your specifications and tolerances
• Packaging materials are correct and in stock

Why it matters: Catching a wrong material before production saves weeks of delay and thousands in rework costs.

Stage 2: During Production Inspection (DUPRO)

When: 20–60% of production is complete. Products are coming off the line.

What to check:

• Random sample of 50–200 units pulled from the production line
• Visual defects: scratches, dents, color inconsistency, printing errors
• Functional testing: does the product work as intended?
• Dimensions and weight: within tolerance (±2–3% depending on product)
• Assembly quality: parts fit properly, no loose components
• Packaging quality: boxes, labels, barcodes, instruction manuals
• AQL sampling standard applied (usually AQL 2.5 for major defects, 4.0 for minor)

Why it matters: Fixing problems mid-production is far cheaper and faster than after everything is made.

Stage 3: Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)

When: 100% of production is complete and at least 80% is packed.

What to check:

• Final random sampling (usually AQL 2.5 or tighter)
• Quantity verification: count everything — cartons, units, accessories
• Function check on a larger sample (power on, all features work, no errors)
• Drop test for packaging: does the box protect the product?
• Carton markings: shipping marks, weight, dimensions, handling instructions
• Barcode scan test: do barcodes scan correctly?
• Labels and compliance marks: CE, FCC, RoHS, country of origin
• Photo documentation of the entire shipment

Why it matters: This is your last chance to catch problems before goods leave China. After they ship, fixing anything costs 10x more.

Common Defects by Product Category

• Electronics: Dead pixels, battery issues, loose connections, wrong voltage
• Apparel: Uneven stitching, color bleeding, size inconsistency, loose buttons
• Furniture: Wobbly legs, scratches, misaligned holes, poor finish
• Toys: Sharp edges, small detachable parts, paint chipping, weak joints
• Kitchenware: Uneven coating, rough edges, lid fit issues, staining

What Happens If You Find Defects?

Don't panic. Here's the escalation path:

1. Minor defects (under AQL limit): Accept the shipment, note for next order
2. Borderline (at AQL limit): Negotiate a discount (typically 5–15%) to accept as-is
3. Over AQL limit: Require rework. Factory fixes defects at their cost. Re-inspect before shipping.
4. Severe quality failure: Reject the order. This is why you never pay 100% upfront (standard is 30% deposit, 70% after inspection)

Should You Hire a Third-Party Inspector?

Companies like SGS, Bureau Veritas, and TÜV offer inspection services for $250–400 per day. They're professional and thorough. However, an inspector who visits the same factory every month (like a dedicated sourcing agent) often catches issues that a one-time visitor misses — because they know the factory's habits, shortcuts, and weak points.

Our QC team inspects thousands of products every month across multiple factories. We know which factories cut corners, which ones overpromise, and which ones deliver consistently. That institutional knowledge is impossible to replicate with a one-off inspection.

Want professional QC on your next order? WhatsApp us to discuss your requirements.