Pre-shipment Inspection for Korean Buyers in China, Asia and Korea
itmad inspects goods at the supplier's factory for Korean buyers: AQL sampling to ISO 2859-1, offices in China and Asia, reports within 24 hours.
Pre-shipment inspection verifies goods at the supplier's factory before dispatch, the last point at which a defect costs the supplier rather than the buyer. itmad inspects for buyers in Korea at source in China and Asia, through offices in China and Southeast Asia, and in Korea with Korea-based inspectors and a travelling team. itmad has worked in Korea for more than 5 years, and itmad acts for the buyer.
What pre-shipment inspection is
Pre-shipment inspection verifies goods at the supplier's factory, before dispatch. The inspector attends the supplier's facility, applies the agreed scope, and issues a report with findings, photographs, measurements, AQL results and a pass or fail determination.
Inspection at source in China and Asia
itmad operates through offices in China and Southeast Asia. Inspection is carried out by inspectors already in the region, not mobilised from Korea, which means attendance in days rather than weeks, no travel cost in the fee, and inspectors who speak the language of the supplier. Reports are issued to Korea time so a release decision can be made the same working day.
What is inspected
- QuantityUnits, cartons, pallets and containers counted and reconciled against the purchase order and packing list.
- Quality and workmanshipMaterials, finish, dimensions and function checked against specification or approved sample, with defects classified critical, major or minor under AQL sampling to ISO 2859-1.
- PackingCarton strength, inner packing and labelling assessed against the transport method and destination.
- Marking and labellingBarcodes, country of origin, safety warnings and regulatory marks verified, which are the errors that cause customs holds.
- Loading supervisionCorrect quantities loaded, container sealed and documented, witnessed.
- Functional testingOn-site safety and performance checks for applicable products.
Timing and process
Inspection is scheduled when production is at least 80% complete and goods are packed. Earlier, and there is nothing representative to sample; later, and there is no time to correct anything. The report is typically issued within 24 hours of closing. Where a shipment fails, itmad re-inspects after the supplier has corrected the non-conformities.
How itmad delivers pre-shipment inspection for Korean buyers
itmad delivers pre-shipment inspection for Korean buyers through Korea-based inspectors, a travelling team, and offices in China and Southeast Asia. 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 itmad inspects.
Frequently asked questions
When should pre-shipment inspection take place?
Pre-shipment inspection should take place when production is at least 80% complete and goods are packed and ready for dispatch. That timing allows defects to be corrected before release without delaying the schedule.
What is AQL sampling?
Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) sampling is the statistical method that determines 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 in China?
Yes. itmad operates through offices in China and Southeast Asia, so inspection is carried out by inspectors already in the region rather than by mobilising an inspector from Korea.
How quickly is the pre-shipment inspection report issued?
The report is typically issued within 24 hours of the inspection closing, to Korea time. A release decision can then be made the same working day.
What happens if a shipment fails pre-shipment inspection?
The report records the non-conformities and their classification. Once the supplier has corrected the non-conformities, itmad re-inspects to verify the corrective action before release.
What does pre-shipment inspection check?
Pre-shipment inspection checks quantity against the purchase order and packing list, quality and workmanship under AQL sampling to ISO 2859-1, packing, and marking and labelling. The inspection also covers loading supervision and functional testing for applicable products.