Service
QC that catches defects in China, not at your warehouse.
Pre-production sample QC, in-line checks during production, AQL pre-shipment inspections to ISO 2859-1, and container loading supervision.
The QC stack
Quality control in China is a sequence, not a single inspection. It starts before production: we QC the approved sample against your spec and retain it on file, because every later inspection compares production against that signed sample. That's what catches sample-vs-production substitution — one of the most common factory-side failures.
During production, an inline inspection at roughly 50% completion catches drift mid-run: material substitution, tolerance creep, decoration changes. It's the inspection that still leaves the factory time to fix things. Then the pre-shipment AQL inspection samples the finished lot before balance payment, and container loading supervision confirms that what passed inspection is what actually ships.
How we inspect
Standard inspection level is AQL 0/2.5/4.0 per ISO 2859-1 General Inspection Level II — zero tolerance on critical defects, 2.5 on majors, 4.0 on minors. For premium-positioned products or categories with repeated defects we tighten to AQL 1.5 on majors. Every report classifies defects with photo evidence, so an inspection result is actionable the hour you receive it.
Cost is typically $250–$400 per man-day in China. A standard 5,000-unit lot is 1–1.5 man-days — $300–$600 — which is worth it on any order over roughly $5,000 in cargo value.
When an inspection fails
You get the report immediately with photo evidence and defect classification, and the decision stays yours: accept with a discount, reject and demand rework, or split-ship the passing units. Because the balance payment hasn't been released yet, you have leverage — and we can mediate the negotiation with the factory on your behalf.
How it works
1. Spec + sample baseline
We agree the inspection spec and retain your approved sample as the reference standard.
2. Inline check (optional)
At ~50% completion — catches drift while the factory can still correct it.
3. Pre-shipment AQL inspection
ISO 2859-1 Level II sampling before balance payment. Report same day with photos.
4. Container loading supervision
Confirms quantity, packaging, and that inspected goods are what ships.
What you get
- Inspection report with AQL result, defect classification, and photo evidence — same day as inspection
- Comparison against your retained signed sample, not just the spec sheet
- Clear accept / rework / reject recommendation with negotiation support if it fails
- Loading report with container numbers, seal numbers, and loading photos
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FAQs
What AQL level do you inspect at?
Standard is AQL 0/2.5/4.0 per ISO 2859-1 General Inspection Level II — Critical 0, Major 2.5, Minor 4.0. We tighten to AQL 1.5 on majors for premium-positioned products or repeated-defect categories.
How much does pre-shipment inspection cost?
Typically $250–$400 per man-day in China. A standard 5,000-unit lot inspection is 1–1.5 man-days = $300–$600. Worth it on any order over ~$5,000 cargo value.
What happens if an inspection fails?
You get the report immediately with photo evidence and defect classification. You decide: accept with discount, reject and demand rework, or split-ship the passing units. We can mediate the negotiation with the factory on your behalf.
Do you inspect against a signed sample?
Yes. Every inspection compares production against the buyer-approved sample (which we retain on file). This catches sample-vs-production substitution — one of the most common factory-side failures.
Can you inspect during production, not just pre-shipment?
Yes. Inline inspection at ~50% completion catches drift mid-run — material substitution, tolerance creep, decoration changes. Particularly important for high-stakes orders.