Key points
- Inspect when at least 80% of the order is finished and packed, before the balance is paid.
- Most buyers use ISO 2859-1 sampling at General Inspection Level II with AQL 0 critical, 2.5 major, 4.0 minor.
- Write the AQL levels and the inspection checklist into the purchase order, not after production.
- Inspection is usually billed per man-day plus travel; the product and sample size drive the number of days.
- Book well ahead of Chinese holidays, when inspectors and factories are fully booked.
What a pre-shipment inspection is
A PSI is an independent check of goods you have ordered, done at the supplier's site once production is essentially complete. An inspector draws a random sample from the packed cartons, checks quantity, appearance, workmanship, function, measurements, packing and labels against your specification and approved sample, and issues a report with photos and a pass, fail or pending result. It is different from a destination conformity certificate such as UAE ECAS or Saudi SABER, which proves the product meets a regulation; a PSI proves this particular batch meets your order.
The quality checkpoints from order to container
- Factory auditBefore the order. Checks that the supplier is real, has the capacity and the processes, and is the company on your contract.
- Initial or during production inspection (DUPRO)When roughly 10–50% is produced. Catches material and early workmanship problems while they can still be corrected for the rest of the run.
- Pre-shipment inspectionAt least 80% packed. AQL sampling on finished goods decides whether the order ships as it is.
- Lab testingAs needed: safety, chemical, electrical or food-contact tests, and tests for destination standards.
- Container loading supervisionDuring loading. Confirms the carton count, condition and loading method, and records the seal number with photos.
- Pay the balanceOnly after the PSI is passed and, on common terms, against a copy of the bill of lading.
How AQL sampling works
AQL (acceptance quality limit) sampling comes from ISO 2859-1, equivalent in practice to ANSI Z1.4. You do not check every piece. The lot size and the inspection level give a sample size; the AQL you chose for each defect class gives the maximum number of defects allowed in that sample. If the defects found are at or below the acceptance number, that class passes; at or above the rejection number, it fails. Critical defects (unsafe, or breaking a legal requirement) are normally set at zero tolerance. Major defects make a product unsellable or likely to fail; minor defects are cosmetic deviations a customer may accept.
| Lot size (pieces) | Sample size (Level II) | Major AQL 2.5: accept / reject | Minor AQL 4.0: accept / reject |
|---|---|---|---|
| 151–280 | 32 | 2 / 3 | 3 / 4 |
| 281–500 | 50 | 3 / 4 | 5 / 6 |
| 501–1,200 | 80 | 5 / 6 | 7 / 8 |
| 1,201–3,200 | 125 | 7 / 8 | 10 / 11 |
| 3,201–10,000 | 200 | 10 / 11 | 14 / 15 |
| 10,001–35,000 | 315 | 14 / 15 | 21 / 22 |
What inspectors check on the day
Pre-shipment inspection checklist
0/11Pre-shipment inspection compared with other checks
- Finished goods, at least 80% packed
- Random AQL sample decides pass or fail
- Best lever for the balance payment
- Problems found here can still be reworked at the factory
- Run at roughly 10–50% production
- Finds material and process errors early
- Useful for long runs, new suppliers and custom products
- Does not replace the final inspection
- At the factory or our consolidation warehouse during loading
- Checks carton count, condition and stowage
- Records container and seal numbers with photos
- Protects against swapped or short-loaded cargo
- For example UAE ECAS or Saudi SABER
- Proves the product type meets a regulation
- Required for clearance of regulated goods
- Does not check the quality of your specific batch
Cost and timing
Inspection companies usually charge per man-day, meaning one inspector for one working day on site, plus travel when the factory is far from the inspector's base. The fee covers travel to the factory, sampling, the inspection itself and the report. We do not publish fixed figures because they vary by provider, city and product; our team quotes within one working day. What you can control is how many man-days the job needs.
- Lot size and inspection level, which set the sample size
- Product complexity: an electrical or assembled product takes longer per piece than a towel
- Number of styles, colours and sizes, because each needs its own check
- Tests on site, such as function, drop or measurement checks
- Factory location and distance from the inspector
- Re-inspection after a fail, which many buyers make the supplier pay for in the contract
Timing matters as much as cost. Ask the supplier for the date when 80% will be packed and book as soon as you know it, so the PSI and any rework fit before the vessel cut-off. Before Chinese New Year and the National Day Golden Week, factories rush to finish and inspectors are fully booked, so book earlier. As of November 2026, sailings to the UAE are being discharged at Khor Fakkan and other ports outside the Strait of Hormuz, and transit is longer; a late PSI that causes a rollover adds to a schedule that is already stretched.
Pass, fail and what happens next
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Inspection quiz
Frequently asked questions
What is a pre-shipment inspection?
An independent check of your finished order at the factory, usually when at least 80% is packed. An inspector checks a random AQL sample against your specification and issues a pass, fail or pending report before you pay the balance.
What AQL should I use for products from China?
A common choice is General Inspection Level II with AQL 0 for critical, 2.5 for major and 4.0 for minor defects. Stricter levels suit high-value or safety-sensitive products. Write the levels into the purchase order.
How much does a pre-shipment inspection cost?
It is usually charged per man-day plus travel, and the number of days depends on lot size, product complexity, styles and tests. Prices vary by provider and city, so our team quotes your exact inspection within one working day.
Who pays for the inspection, buyer or supplier?
Usually the buyer books and pays for the first inspection. Many buyers agree in the contract that the supplier pays for any re-inspection after a fail.
What happens if my order fails inspection?
Do not pay the balance. The supplier sorts or reworks the goods and a re-inspection is booked. Agree in advance whether a delay to shipping is accepted.
Can Golden Way inspect my goods before shipping?
Yes. We arrange factory checks, pre-shipment inspections using AQL sampling and container loading supervision, and our Guangzhou warehouse counts and photographs cartons on arrival for consolidation.
Sources
- ISO 2859-1 Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes
- ICC Academy – UCP 600 (Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits)
- Xinhua – State Council General Office notice on 2026 holiday arrangements (4 Nov 2025)
- QualityInspection.org (Sofeast) – How much does a quality inspection in China cost (man-day and travel structure)
- Lloyd's List Intelligence – Strait of Hormuz Brief, 22 October 2026
General information checked on the date shown. Rules and rates change: our team confirms the details for your shipment.