Pre-shipment Inspection for Buyers Sourcing Internationally
itmad inspects goods at the factory before dispatch: AQL sampling to ISO 2859-1, inspectors in China and Southeast Asia, reports typically within 24 hours.
Pre-shipment inspection checks goods at the supplier's factory before dispatch, the last point at which a defect costs the supplier instead of the buyer. itmad inspects for international buyers at source in China and Asia, through offices in China and Southeast Asia, and elsewhere with local inspectors and a travelling team. itmad operates across the Middle East, Asia and Europe, and itmad acts for the buyer.
What the inspection involves
An inspector attends the supplier's facility, applies the agreed scope, and issues a report containing findings, photographs, measurements, AQL results and a pass or fail determination.
Inspection at source
itmad operates through offices in China and Southeast Asia, so inspectors are already in the region when an order is placed. Attendance takes days instead of weeks, the fee carries no travel cost, and the inspectors speak the language of the supplier. Reports are issued in the buyer's time zone, so that a release decision can be made the same working day.
What is checked
- QuantityUnits, cartons, pallets and containers counted and reconciled against the purchase order and the packing list.
- Quality and workmanshipMaterials, finish, dimensions and function checked against the specification or approved sample, with defects graded critical, major or minor under AQL sampling to ISO 2859-1.
- PackingCarton strength, inner packing and labelling assessed against the transport method and the destination.
- Marking and labellingBarcodes, country of origin, safety warnings and regulatory marks verified, since these are the errors that lead to customs holds.
- Loading supervisionThe correct quantities loaded, the container sealed and documented, and the loading witnessed.
- Functional testingOn-site safety and performance checks for the products that call for them.
Timing and re-inspection
The right moment is when production is at least 80% complete and the goods are packed. Earlier, there is nothing representative to sample; later, there is no time to correct anything. The report is typically issued within 24 hours of the inspection closing. If a shipment fails, itmad re-inspects once the supplier has corrected the non-conformities.
Standards and independence
Pre-shipment inspection is carried out in accordance with the principles of ISO/IEC 17020, the international standard for the operation of inspection bodies. Inspectors work to documented procedures, findings are recorded against objective criteria, and impartiality is maintained throughout.
itmad acts for the buyer. itmad holds no interest in the supplier, the goods or the outcome of the inspection, and does not trade in, broker or repair the products that it inspects.
Frequently asked questions
When is the right time for a pre-shipment inspection?
The right time is when production is at least 80% complete and the goods are packed and ready for dispatch. That timing leaves room to correct defects before release without delaying the schedule.
How does AQL sampling work?
Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) sampling is the statistical method that sets how many units are inspected and how many defects are acceptable. itmad applies AQL sampling in accordance with ISO 2859-1.
Can itmad inspect goods at factories in China and Asia?
Yes. itmad operates through offices in China and Southeast Asia, so inspection is carried out by inspectors already in the region. The inspectors speak the language of the supplier.
How fast is the inspection report issued?
The report is typically issued within 24 hours of the inspection closing, in the buyer's time zone. A release decision can then be made the same working day.
What happens if a shipment fails?
The report records the non-conformities and how each is classified. Once the supplier has corrected them, itmad re-inspects to verify the corrective action before release.
What does a pre-shipment inspection check?
It checks quantity against the purchase order and packing list, quality and workmanship under AQL sampling to ISO 2859-1, packing, and marking and labelling. It also covers loading supervision and, for products that call for it, functional testing.