Garment defects are mostly workmanship and measurement defects, and they are visible: a skipped stitch, a shaded front panel, a sleeve that sits outside the approved size specification. The question is whether the inspection on your order is built for apparel — measuring against a graded size specification, checking seam construction and trim attachment — or borrowed from a hardgoods checklist that counts cartons and photographs barcodes. Quality Inspection China provides garment inspection services as part of a sourcing order: in-process and pre-shipment checks are performed by the executing inspection party under our coordination, and we coordinate buyer-designated third-party agencies and accredited (ISO 17025) laboratories where testing is required.
What a garment inspection measures
The inspection plan is agreed when the order is placed, and the standards, AQL level and checkpoints are written into the order terms. For apparel the reference documents are the approved pre-production sample (PPS) and the graded size specification, not the factory's own sample. The standard control rhythm is PPS confirmation, at least two in-production checks, and a final OQC before shipment.
| Check area | What is verified |
|---|---|
| Measurements | Every graded size measured against the approved size specification — chest, waist, sleeve, inseam, neckline — with tolerance per measurement point agreed at order stage |
| Workmanship | Stitch density and seam strength, open seams, skipped stitches, puckering, uneven hems, zip function (cycled 500 times), button and trim attachment |
| Appearance | Shading between panels, stains, holes, needle marks, printing and embroidery placement against the approved sample |
| Labelling | Fibre content, care instructions, size labels, country of origin, and any market-specific warnings |
| Assortment | Colour and size ratio per carton against the purchase order, quantity accuracy, carton marks and packaging |
Measurements are taken across the size range in the order, not on one size only, because grading errors tend to appear at the extremes of the run. Assortment is verified per carton, since a correct total quantity can still ship with the wrong size mix.
Fabric and compliance checks we coordinate
Fabric performance cannot be confirmed by eye. Colourfastness to rubbing, washing and perspiration, pH value, formaldehyde content and azo dye testing are arranged with accredited laboratories, per product, per destination market and per batch. Where you specify OEKO-TEX documentation, we coordinate the submission and the document trail; the report is issued by the laboratory and carries its report number. Children's garments additionally follow the children's-product rules of the destination market, which we map against your specification before the order is placed. Full scope is set out under compliance testing.
Testing fees are paid by you directly to the laboratory; our coordination and document-preparation service fee is CNY 500-2,000 per order. Typical laboratory reports take 15-45 days, so testing is scheduled against your shipment date rather than after production finishes.
Sampling and acceptance
Sampling follows ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 / ISO 2859-1. The default acceptance level is AQL Major 2.5 / Minor 4.0; stricter levels such as 0.65 or 1.0 are available on request, and we apply stricter levels to children's wear. Critical defects — a broken needle fragment in a garment, for example, as a class of safety defect — are not accepted at any AQL level: the shipment stops. Levels and switching rules are explained in our AQL inspection page.
| Defect class | Apparel examples | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | Loose thread, untrimmed seam, label skew | Fix on site, re-trim, repack, relabel |
| Major | Measurement outside tolerance, open seam, shading between panels | Rework, replacement of shortfalls, re-inspection before release |
| Critical | Safety hazard, regulatory violation | Shipment stops, batch quarantined, root-cause review (8D, 5 Whys, CAPA), re-make or supplier change if needed |
Reporting
You receive a PDF report with high-resolution photographs, measurement tables, a defect list with close-ups, corrective recommendations and any re-inspection records. Video is available, and you may follow the inspection by live video. The final report is sent to you for confirmation at least 3 days before shipment; the pre-shipment inspection stage is where this closes.
Where rework is required, the 24-48-7 loop applies: within 24 hours you receive photos, video and the defect list; containment and a correction plan follow; correction and re-inspection are targeted to complete within 48 hours to 7 days, subject to the factory's rework and the executing inspection party's re-inspection schedule, covering re-trimming, re-pressing or replacement of shortfalls; a re-inspection report with before/after comparison closes the case. Samples and records for every batch are retained at least 12 months. Certificates available upon request. For coordination on a current order, write to [email protected].