Quality Inspection in China
Know What You Are Shipping Before It Leaves China
Once an order is placed, the balance payment is usually the last point of leverage you have. TongSourcing arranges on-site quality inspections at Chinese factories — verifying specification, quantity, workmanship, labelling, and packaging before your goods are shipped, so problems are found while they can still be fixed.
What Is a Quality Inspection?
A quality inspection is an on-site check of your actual goods against the specification you agreed with the factory — normally carried out before shipment.
You do not need to travel to China to check every order. We go to the factory, count the units, measure against your specification, look at workmanship and packaging, and tell you what we found. If something is wrong, you find out while you can still do something about it.
The most common arrangement is a pre-shipment inspection: the goods are finished and packed, the balance payment has not yet been released, and you still have leverage.
Inspection vs. Factory Audit
These are two different services, at two different moments. Buyers often need both.
| Factory Audit | Quality Inspection | |
|---|---|---|
| What is examined | The supplier — facility, capability, quality system, documentation | The goods — specification, quantity, workmanship, packaging |
| When it happens | Before you place the order | Before shipment (or during production) |
| Question it answers | “Can this factory make my product properly?” | “Did this batch come out right?” |
| Frequency | Usually once per supplier | Typically once per order or per shipment |
| Decision it supports | Whether to work with the supplier | Whether to release payment and ship |
If you have not yet chosen your supplier, start with a factory audit. If production is already running, you need an inspection.
Inspection Types We Cover
| Type | Timing | What It Is For |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Shipment Inspection | Production finished, goods packed, before balance payment and shipping | The standard check: does the finished batch match the approved sample and specification? |
| During-Production Inspection | Part-way through the production run | Catches systematic problems early, while they can still be corrected in the same batch |
| Initial Production Check | First units off the line | Confirms the factory understood the specification before committing to full volume |
| Sample Verification | Before mass production | Checks that the sample matches the specification and can be used as the production reference |
| Loading Supervision | When containers are loaded | Confirms quantity, packaging condition, and container loading |
The right combination depends on order value, product complexity, and how much risk you are carrying. We will recommend an approach rather than sell you the largest package.
What We Check
The inspection checklist is built from your specification. Typical areas:
| Area | What We Check |
|---|---|
| Quantity | Units produced, packed, and available for shipment against the order and packing list |
| Specification | Dimensions, material, function, and configuration against the agreed spec and approved sample |
| Workmanship | Visual defects, finish, assembly quality, and obvious functional issues |
| Function | Basic operation and performance checks within the scope agreed with you |
| Labelling & Marking | Model numbers, ratings, warnings, and market label requirements |
| Packaging | Inner and outer packaging, protection, carton strength, and shipping marks |
| Documentation | Packing list, and any test reports or certificates the factory provides |
How the Inspection Works
| Step | What Happens | Who Is Involved |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Checklist | We build the inspection checklist from your specification, sample, and any previous issues | You + TongSourcing |
| 2. Booking | We coordinate with the factory and confirm the date the goods will be packed and ready | TongSourcing + Supplier |
| 3. On-Site Inspection | Our inspector attends the factory and works through the checklist | TongSourcing on site |
| 4. Sampling | Units are checked according to the agreed sampling approach rather than a single unit | TongSourcing on site |
| 5. Report | Findings with photos and defect classification, sent to you before the goods ship | You + TongSourcing |
| 6. Corrective Follow-Up | Where issues are found, we communicate with the factory on rework, replacement, or a re-inspection | TongSourcing + Supplier |
What You Receive
| Deliverable | Contents |
|---|---|
| Inspection Report | Result for each checklist item: pass, fail, or observation |
| Photo Record | Product, defects found, packaging, labelling, and the packing area |
| Defect Summary | What was found, how many, and how it was classified |
| Quantity Confirmation | Units verified against the order and packing list |
| Recommendation | Whether to ship as is, rework, or re-inspect |
What an inspection cannot promise: an inspection reports on the sample it examines at the time of the visit. It does not certify that every unit in the batch is free of defects, and it is not a substitute for product testing or certification.
Report Language
Reports are written in English by default, and can be issued in Japanese or Russian on request at no extra cost.
| Language | Report & Follow-Up Support |
|---|---|
| English | Standard inspection report, photo record, and corrective follow-up |
| Japanese | Japanese-language report and correspondence for Japan-based buyers |
| Russian | Russian-language report and correspondence for Russian-speaking buyers |
Defect descriptions use standard terms (major / minor / critical) alongside the translation so your team can classify consistently.
Who This Is For
An inspection is most valuable if you:
- Are about to release a balance payment on an order you cannot check in person
- Have had quality problems with this supplier or this product before
- Are shipping industrial parts or equipment where a single out-of-tolerance unit matters
- Are importing to a market with labelling, rating, or packaging requirements
- Need a documented, independent record of the goods’ condition before shipment
Start here once you have a supplier and an order in production — then inspect before every significant shipment. If you have not chosen your supplier yet, start with a factory audit first, and come back here before the goods ship.
How Much Does It Cost?
Starting from USD 340 per man-day.
One man-day covers a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) at a single factory, including the written report and photographs. During-production (DUPRO) inspections start at USD 320 per man-day. Full 1-by-1 inspection is quoted per man-day based on volume.
Cost depends on product type, order quantity, and inspection requirements. We quote a flat price before the inspection, so there are no surprise invoices.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Pre-shipment inspection (PSI) | from USD 340 / man-day |
| During-production inspection (DUPRO) | from USD 320 / man-day |
| Full 1-by-1 inspection | quoted per man-day by volume |
| Laboratory testing | at cost (USD 100–500 typical) |
The inspection fee is a separate service fee — it is never rolled into a supplier’s price or recovered as commission. Reports are available in English, Japanese, or Russian at no extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book a quality inspection?
Book once production is finished and the goods are packed, but before the balance payment is released and before the shipment is booked. We recommend giving us at least a week’s notice so the factory can be scheduled.
How many units do you check?
We inspect according to the sampling approach agreed with you, based on order quantity and how critical the product is. Order quantity, batch size, and the agreed inspection level determine the number of units checked.
What happens if you find defects?
We report them with photos and classification, and we communicate with the factory about rework or replacement. You decide whether to ship, rework, or arrange a re-inspection. We recommend, but the commercial decision remains yours.
Can you inspect at a factory in another province?
Yes, depending on the project. We are based in Shenzhen and cover Guangdong directly; inspections elsewhere in China are arranged case by case. Ask us for timing and cost.
Do you test the product?
We carry out the functional and performance checks agreed in the checklist. Laboratory testing and formal product certification are separate services — we can coordinate them with the factory if you need them.
Is an inspection the same as a factory audit?
No. An inspection checks the goods; an audit checks the supplier. A factory audit evaluates the supplier’s capability and quality system before production, while a quality inspection verifies the finished batch against your specification.
Ready to Inspect Your Next Shipment?
Send us your product, specification, order quantity, and expected completion date. We will recommend an inspection approach for your order — and tell you what it will cost.