Pre-Shipment Inspection: The Final Gate Before Your Balance Payment
A pre-shipment inspection (PSI) is the last control point in a sourcing order. It verifies finished, packed goods before they are loaded into the container and before you release the balance payment. In our QC chain, this is the OQC stage (outgoing/pre-shipment), run as a PSI for every order. The purpose is practical: you should not pay the balance or authorise shipment on the basis of the factory's own word. You should pay on the basis of evidence gathered from your goods, in your packaging, on the factory floor.
Pre-shipment inspection services differ from earlier checks in scope and consequence. In-process checks catch problems while production is still running. A PSI confirms whether the lot as packed is the lot you ordered — and if it is not, it stops the shipment before it leaves China.
What a pre-shipment inspection covers
The inspection plan is agreed when the order is placed: standards, AQL level and checkpoints are written into the order terms. On site, the executing inspector works through a defined checklist:
- Quantity and assortment accuracy — carton count against the packing list, units per carton, and colour/size/model mix against the purchase order.
- Appearance — workmanship, finish, cleanliness, visible defects.
- Dimensions and weight — critical dimensions typically within +/-1-5 mm depending on category; gross weight deviation within +/-5%.
- Function tests — for example zips cycled 500 times, handle load tests and drop tests, plus category-specific performance checks.
- Packaging and carton condition — inner and outer packaging, carton strength and condition, packing method.
- Labelling and barcodes — label content, placement, barcode scanability, shipping marks.
- Accessories and documents — manuals, spare parts, inserts and required paperwork present and correct.
- Safety and compliance marks — marks and warnings checked against the requirements for your destination market.
Category add-ons apply where relevant: small-parts and EN71 checks for toys; colourfastness, pH, formaldehyde and azo dyes for textiles; hardness, coating thickness and torque for hardware; food-contact migration for kitchenware. Where formal test reports are required, we coordinate buyer-designated third-party agencies such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV or Intertek, or accredited (ISO 17025) laboratories, which issue reports under their own report numbers.
Sampling on the day
Sampling follows ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 / ISO 2859-1. The default level is AQL Major 2.5 / Minor 4.0; stricter levels such as 0.65 or 1.0 are available on request. Critical defects — safety hazards or regulatory violations — are not accepted at any AQL: the shipment stops.
Cartons are selected by the executing inspector from across the lot, not chosen by the factory. This matters: a factory that knows which cartons will be opened can prepare those cartons. Random selection across the production run is what makes the sample meaningful.
Timing: when to book
Book the PSI when goods are fully produced and packed — not while the final units are still on the line. A partially packed lot cannot be sampled correctly, and a report on half-finished goods does not tell you what will be loaded.
The final inspection report is sent to you for confirmation at least 3 days before the planned shipment date. That window is deliberate: it gives you time to approve, hold or order rework before the container is booked and loaded. The PDF report is shared digitally and contains high-resolution photos, video, a defect list, corrective recommendations and re-inspection records. You may also follow the inspection by live video.
If the inspection fails
Defects are graded and handled by class. Minor defects are fixed on site, repacked or relabelled. Major defects mean rework, replacement of shortfalls and re-inspection before release. Critical defects stop the shipment: the batch is quarantined, a root-cause review follows (8D, 5 Whys, CAPA), and the goods are re-made or the supplier changed if needed.
Our 24-48-7 response loop governs the correction: within 24 hours you receive photos, video and a 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; 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.
PSI for Amazon and e-commerce sellers
For e-commerce shipments, conventional PSI is not always enough. Carton labels and FBA labelling checks confirm that what arrives at the fulfilment centre can be received and scanned. Assortment accuracy is verified carton by carton for multi-SKU shipments, where one wrong mix can trigger chargebacks. Photo evidence is captured to support your listings compliance files. Importers sourcing consumer goods often use amazon inspection services alongside a standard PSI for exactly these reasons; the inspection plan can combine both scopes in one visit.
FAQ
Is PSI the same as a loading check?
No. A pre-shipment inspection checks the goods themselves — quantity, quality, packaging and labelling — usually at the factory after packing. Loading supervision is a separate service that observes the container loading: carton count, container condition, stowage and seal. Some buyers book both; a PSI pass does not confirm that the correct cartons were actually loaded.
How is PSI different from during-production inspection?
During-production inspection (IPQC) takes place while goods are being manufactured, so defects can be corrected before the run is complete. PSI happens after production and packing are finished, and its outcome determines whether the balance is paid and the shipment proceeds. Standard practice is at least two in-production checks plus a final OQC before shipment; the PSI is the gate that closes that chain. For questions on scope or booking, contact [email protected].