Many importers buying consumer goods from China want an inspector who does not work for the factory. That requirement is reasonable, and it can be met in two ways. First, you may designate a third-party inspection agency to inspect your goods, and we coordinate that process on the ground. Second, we can arrange in-process and pre-shipment checks through an assigned inspection party, coordinated by our team and structured so that the evidence produced can be audited afterwards. This page explains both routes, how they differ, and how to choose between them.
How third-party coordination works
When you want an independent inspector on site, we arrange the logistics around your production schedule. The typical sequence runs as follows:
- You designate the agency. You may appoint a third-party agency of your choice, such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV or Intertek, or ask us to book a local inspection body on your behalf.
- We brief the inspector. Your standards, sampling plan and AQL level are written into the order terms before production begins. We pass these to the inspector so the check reflects your requirements, not a generic checklist.
- We schedule around production. The inspection date is set against your agreed checkpoints, so the goods are at the right stage when the inspector arrives.
- We attend or follow up on site. We can be present during the inspection or follow up with the inspector afterwards to clarify findings.
- We collect the report. The inspection report is issued by the agency under its own name and report number, and forwarded to you.
- We run the correction loop. If defects are found, we work with the factory on containment, rework and re-inspection, and keep you informed until the case closes.
Our role vs. the agency's role
The division of responsibility is deliberately clear. We are a coordination service; we do not issue inspection reports or certificates in our own name.
| Third-party agency | Our coordination team |
|---|---|
| Employs the inspector who performs the check | Books or schedules the inspection and attends or follows up on site |
| Issues the inspection report in its own name, with its report number | Collects the report, shares it with you, and acts on the findings |
| Applies the standards and AQL level you have set | Writes your standards, checkpoints and AQL level into the order terms before production |
| Reports defects; does not manage the factory | Runs the correction loop with the factory: rework, replacement, re-inspection |
| Paid by you directly for inspection or laboratory fees | Coordination service fee of CNY 500-2,000 per order where it applies |
Coordinated checks or a designated third-party agency?
Neither route is universally better; they answer different questions. Under the coordinated route, checks run at several points in the chain - incoming materials (IQC), in-process work (IPQC), first-piece confirmation (PQC), finished goods (FQC) and outgoing pre-shipment (OQC) - performed by the executing inspection party and coordinated by our team. Sampling follows ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 / ISO 2859-1, with a standard AQL of Major 2.5 / Minor 4.0 and stricter levels such as 0.65 or 1.0 available on request. Critical defects, including safety hazards and regulatory violations, are not accepted: the shipment stops.
Use the coordinated route where you need frequent in-process checkpoints and fast correction on the line. Use a third-party inspection where you need final acceptance evidence from an independent body: first orders with a new supplier, regulated categories, and orders under a letter of credit. Many buyers combine both, with coordinated checks during production and a designated agency inspecting before shipment.
Independence safeguards
Whichever route you choose, the evidence trail is built to be reviewed:
- Standards, sampling plan and checkpoints are fixed in writing before production starts.
- Raw photos and video are shared with you, not only written summaries.
- Re-inspection records, including before/after comparison, close each defect case.
- Samples and records for every batch are retained for at least 12 months.
Where laboratory testing is required, it is arranged per product, per destination market and per batch. Reports are issued by the laboratory and carry its report number; testing fees are paid by you directly to the laboratory. Certificates available upon request.
To discuss an order, email [email protected] with the product category, order stage and any agency you wish to designate, and we will set out the inspection plan.