Service 03
Quality Inspection & Compliance
Independent inspection at AQL 2.5 and the testing that decides whether your goods clear customs and marketplace review — reported with photographs and measurements, not adjectives.
AQL 2.5
Major defect level
24h
Report turnaround
ISO 2859
Sampling standard
Quick answer
Inspection answers one question before the balance payment: are these goods the ones that were approved? CHINAISPP runs pre-production sample checks, during-production inspections and pre-shipment inspection to ISO 2859-1 sampling at AQL 2.5 for major defects, with a written report and photographs issued within 24 hours of the visit. Product testing against destination-market standards is arranged separately through accredited laboratories, and the report is reviewed with you before bulk production is released.
What an inspection report should actually contain
A report that says the goods look acceptable is worth nothing, because it cannot be argued with in either direction. A usable report is quantitative: how many cartons were in the lot, how many units were drawn, how many failed on which criterion, what the measured dimensions were against the specification, and what the photographs show with the carton number visible. That is the difference between a document that settles a dispute and one that starts an argument.
Sampling follows ISO 2859-1. At AQL 2.5 for major defects and 4.0 for minor ones, a lot of a few thousand units is judged on a sample of a few dozen, with an accept and reject threshold fixed in advance. The point of a published standard is that the factory cannot claim the sample was too small after the result is known. Critical defects — anything that makes the product unsafe or illegal to sell — are handled at zero acceptance regardless of AQL.
Timing matters as much as method. A pre-shipment inspection happens when the goods are finished and packed, which is the last moment at which a problem can be fixed without air freight. A during-production inspection happens earlier, when a systematic fault can still be corrected on the line rather than sorted out of finished cartons. For a first order with a new factory we usually recommend both.
Compliance is a different discipline from inspection, and conflating them is a common mistake. Inspection verifies that goods match the approved sample. Testing verifies that the product meets a published standard, and certification verifies that a body with authority says so. A carton can pass inspection and still fail customs because the label lacks a required statement, and no amount of visual checking will reveal that.
What this service includes
Inspection, testing and factory audit are three separate engagements. Buying only the one you need is usually the right call.
Pre-production check
Materials and components verified against the approved specification before the line starts, catching substitution early.
During-production inspection
Inline check while the run is in progress, so a systematic fault is corrected on the line rather than sorted afterwards.
Pre-shipment inspection
Finished and packed goods sampled to ISO 2859-1, with workmanship, function, labelling and packing verified.
Product testing
Samples submitted to accredited laboratories for FDA, LFGB, CPSIA, EN 71, Prop 65, REACH or category-specific standards.
Factory audit
Quality system, incoming inspection, calibration and production controls reviewed, with gaps stated rather than glossed.
Defect resolution
Failed lots documented with options — rework, sort, discount or reject — and the shipment held until you decide.
Inspection types, timing and output
Which combination makes sense depends on whether the factory is new to you and how much a failed lot would cost.
| Type | When it runs | Method | What you receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-production check | Before the line starts | Materials and components against specification | Photographs, material comparison notes |
| During-production | At 20–40% completion | Inline check of units on the line | Defect list, corrective action request |
| Pre-shipment inspection | Finished and packed | ISO 2859-1 sampling, AQL 2.5 major / 4.0 minor | Full report with defect counts, measurements, photos |
| Container loading | At loading | Carton count, condition, seal number | Loading photographs and seal record |
| Product testing | Before bulk production | Accredited laboratory against a named standard | Test report from the laboratory |
| Factory audit | Before or during the order | System and process review on site | Audit report with findings and risk rating |
How an inspection is booked and delivered
Booking needs lead time because inspectors are scheduled by region. Same-day requests are usually possible in Guangdong and rarely possible elsewhere.
-
1
Define the criteria
Specification, defect classification and any critical-to-function points agreed in writing before the visit, so the report measures against something fixed.
-
2
Book the visit
Inspection scheduled when the goods are finished and packed, with 2 to 3 working days notice outside Guangdong.
-
3
Inspect on site
Random sampling per ISO 2859-1, measurements recorded, photographs taken with carton numbers visible.
-
4
Report within 24 hours
Written report with defect counts, pass or fail against the agreed thresholds, and full photographic record.
-
5
Resolve and release
Failures go back to you with options; the balance payment and shipment are held until you decide.
Where this fits
This service is one of four we provide. The product lines it is usually bought with are below.
Frequently asked questions
What does AQL 2.5 actually mean?
How much notice do you need to book an inspection?
What happens if the goods fail inspection?
Does inspection replace product testing?
Can you inspect goods made by a factory I sourced myself?
Do you check packaging and labels as well as the product?
Ready to Source from China?
Tell us what you need — get a free sourcing proposal and competitive quote within 24 hours.
Request a Quote