A pre-shipment inspection is a procedure in which trade operators (buyers, suppliers, and agencies) inspect newly created products before shipping them for export or import. Pre-shipment inspections were first implemented in 1994 as part of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, which the World Trade Organization later superseded to strengthen international trade standards.
Accredited inspection organizations conduct pre-shipment inspections when production is at least 80% complete. This is your last chance to make changes before your goods are sent, making it a useful tool for protecting your product from costly import hazards.
The following are the goals of a pre-shipment Inspect Shipping:
- Examine the merchandise’s quantity and quality.
- Look for any flaws in the merchandise.
- Ensure that products meet the destination market’s safety requirements.
- Prepare an import and billing report.
Steps involved for inspecting shipping
Functionality, performance, durability, general look, and dimensions are usually covered during the pre-shipment inspection.
- Inspection visit.
Pre-shipment checks take place at the factory or production facility. If the inspectors think that the products may contain banned compounds, they may recommend testing in an off-site lab.
- Quantity Checking
The inspectors count the shipment cartons to make sure the quantity is accurate. Furthermore, this stage assures that the correct amount of products and boxes are shipped to the right location; hence, a buyer, a supplier, and a bank can agree on a pre-shipment inspection to commence payment for a letter of credit.
The packaging is also examined to ensure that the proper packing materials are utilized and that the appropriate packaging labels are attached to ensure safe shipment. After a successful pre-shipment inspection, the agency issues an inspection report document that travels with the cargo to its destination.
Step 3: Choose at random.
Professional pre-shipment inspection services employ the ANSI/ASQC Z1. An Acceptance Quality Limit specifies the maximum number of flaws in a batch before rejection (AQL). The AQL differs based on the product being reviewed, but the goal is to present a balanced and unbiased perspective.
Step 4: Check for blemishes and poor workmanship.
The general workmanship of the finished products is the first thing an inspector looks at from the random selection to check for any readily evident faults.
Defects are generally classed as minor, major, or critical based on preset acceptable tolerance levels, which are usually agreed upon during product development between the manufacturer and supplier.
Step 5: Verification of conformity
Quality control inspectors all check product dimensions, material and construction, weight, color, marking, and labeling. If the inspection is for clothing, the inspector verifies that the correct sizes have been assigned to the cargo and that the sizes match the production specifications and labels. Measurements may be more significant for other products; thus, this is when the finished product’s dimensions can be measured and compared to your original specifications.
Step 6: Perform a function and safety check
Inspectors undertake physical testing on the products during garment, apparel, and footwear inspections to determine the strength of buttons, zippers, and other accessories using pull, fatigue, and stretch tests.
The density or thickness of fabrics used in garment production is determined through fabric density and composition testing. The fabric density is measured with specialized instruments. The quality control inspectors can physically count the number of stitches per inch.