Quality Inspection
An independent inspector checks your goods on-site before you release the 70% balance payment.
Paying the balance before you've seen the goods is the most expensive habit in importing. A quality inspection puts an independent set of eyes on your order — in the factory, before it ships — so problems are fixed in China while you still hold the leverage of an unpaid balance.
Our inspectors work to your specification and an AQL checklist, then send a same-day report with photos and a clear pass or fail. You decide whether to release payment based on evidence, not promises.
Who this is for
This service is for:
- Importers who pay 30% deposit / 70% balance and want proof before the balance.
- Buyers of containerized goods — from one full container — who can't inspect in person.
- Companies that need inspection certificates for customs or resale.
What we do
- 1
Define standards
We agree the checklist, AQL level, and acceptance criteria.
- 2
On-site inspection
Our inspector visits the factory and checks the actual goods.
- 3
Function & labeling
We test function, measurements, labeling, and packaging.
- 4
Photo report
You get a detailed report with photos within 24–48 hours.
- 5
Go / no-go
You release the balance only once it passes.
Types of inspection we run
Different stages catch different problems. We inspect at whichever point — or points — your order needs.
Pre-production (PPI)
Checks raw materials and components before the line starts, so defects don't get built in.
During production (DUPRO)
Catches issues early, while 20–60% is made and there's still time to correct them.
Pre-shipment (PSI)
The standard final check on finished, packed goods before the balance is paid. Most popular.
Container loading (LI)
Verifies the right goods, quantities, and careful loading as the container is filled.
Full / 100% inspection
Piece-by-piece check for high-value or low-tolerance goods, instead of sampling.
What an inspection checks
Every inspection runs against a checklist tied to your spec and an approved sample, so the result is objective — measured against an agreed standard, not the inspector's taste.
We adapt the checklist to your product, but the core always covers form, function, and how it's packed for the journey.
- Appearance — finish, colour, workmanship against the sample
- Function & safety — does it work as intended
- Dimensions and critical parameters
- Quantity and completeness of the order
- Accessories, manuals, and packaging contents
- Retail and carton labelling, barcodes, markings
- Carton drop test and packaging durability
AQL sampling vs 100% inspection
Two ways to inspect a batch. The right one depends on your order's value and how much defect risk you can carry.
- How it works
- A statistical sample by AQL rules
- Best for
- Most orders, standard goods
- Cost & time
- Lower — usually one inspector-day
- What you catch
- Batch defect rate vs a set limit
- How it works
- Every single piece checked by hand
- Best for
- High-value or zero-tolerance goods
- Cost & time
- Higher — scales with quantity
- What you catch
- Every defective unit
- How it works
- No independent check
- Best for
- —
- Cost & time
- Nothing now, costly later
- What you catch
- Defects once they reach you
What's in the inspection report
You get the report the same day, usually within hours of the inspector leaving — in time to act before the balance is due.
Defects are classified the way the industry does it, so 'pass' and 'fail' mean something specific, not a judgment call.
- Pass / fail against your AQL limits
- Defects classified critical, major, and minor
- Measurements vs your tolerances
- On-site photos and video
- Quantity and packaging verification
- Clear recommendation: ship, rework, or hold
Why it matters
The problem we solve — and how we solve it.
Paying the 70% balance before seeing the goods means trusting blind.
We inspect before the balance, so payment follows proof.
Defects found after shipping are expensive or impossible to fix.
We catch issues at the factory while they're still fixable.
Wrong labeling or packaging gets goods stuck at customs.
We verify labeling and packaging against your market's rules.
How we compare
| Silk Way Sourcing | Typical logistics company | Alibaba sourcing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When | Before the 70% balance | After pickup | Optional paid add-on |
| Who inspects | Our own inspector | None | Third party you arrange |
| Report | Photo report in 24–48h | Not applicable | Varies |
| Leverage | Hold balance until pass | None | Limited |
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer lab testing and factory or social-compliance audits?
Yes, alongside the standard AQL inspection. We arrange third-party laboratory testing (materials, safety, performance, RoHS/REACH and similar) and factory audits — quality-system audits and social-compliance audits to BSCI, Sedex/SMETA or ISO frameworks. These are separate from the on-site AQL check and are booked when your buyer, retailer or import market requires them.
When should the inspection happen?
Most clients book a pre-shipment inspection on finished, packed goods, just before the balance payment. For larger or complex orders, an earlier during-production check catches problems while there's still time to fix them.
What is AQL and which level do you use?
AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) is the international sampling standard: it sets how many units to check and how many defects allow the batch to pass. We typically use the common AQL 2.5 for major defects, and adjust the level to your product and risk tolerance.
Do you inspect every piece or a sample?
Usually a sample, by AQL rules — fast and statistically sound for standard goods. For high-value or zero-tolerance products we offer 100% (piece-by-piece) inspection instead.
How fast do I get the report?
The same day in most cases, often within a few hours of the inspector leaving the factory — so you can decide on the balance payment without delay.
What do you inspect against?
Your specification plus an approved sample and a checklist agreed in advance. That makes the result objective: the goods either meet the agreed standard or they don't.
What if the goods fail?
You decide with evidence in hand: hold the balance, require rework and re-inspection, or reject the batch. Because it's caught before payment and shipping, the factory has every reason to fix it.
Can you inspect goods from a supplier I found myself?
Yes. We inspect at any factory in China, whether you sourced the supplier through us or independently.
How much does an inspection cost?
Pricing isn't fixed — it depends on the complexity, scope, and resources the job needs. Tell us what you're planning and we'll give you a clear quote up front, with no hidden costs.
What importers say after working with us
Sourcing wins across steel, solar, energy storage, construction materials and supplier verification. Client names are withheld for confidentiality.
- Steel & metals
We needed 200 tonnes of hot-rolled coil and kept getting quotes from traders. Silk Way took us straight to the mill, verified it, and inspected the load before we paid the balance.
Importer, steel & metals · Egypt - Solar energy
They caught that our 'factory' was actually a trading company and found us the real manufacturer — it saved us from a costly mistake.
Importer, solar EPC · Poland - Fiber optics
Single-mode fiber for a regional network build, delivered on spec and on time. The pre-shipment inspection report gave our own client real confidence.
Telecom contractor · Kenya
Related services
Warehouse in China
Storage, consolidation, and re-packing before shipment.
Learn moreCargo Inspection at Warehouse
We inspect your goods on arrival at our warehouse — count, condition and correctness — before they ship.
Learn moreCustom Packaging
Retail-ready packaging and branded unboxing from Chinese factories.
Learn moreMeet our team of experts
Our team brings hands-on experience in sourcing, quality control, and logistics, working closely with manufacturers to ensure reliable results at every stage.
Arkadii Vakhnovskyi
Founder & CEO
Dmitry Markov
Head of Operations & CTO
Andy Wang
Logistics & Compliance Manager
Alyona
Marketing & SMM
Contact Us
Have a project in mind or need a quick consultation?
Get in touch with us through any channel that's convenient for you — we respond fast.