Pre-shipment Inspection

Pre-shipment inspection verifies goods at the supplier's factory, before dispatch — the last point at which a defect costs the supplier rather than you. ITMAD inspects for UAE buyers at source in China and Asia, and across the Emirates.

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 the Gulf, which means attendance in days rather than weeks, no travel cost in the fee, and inspectors who speak the supplier's language. Reports are issued to Kuwait 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 — 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 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 — typically within 24 hours of closing. Where a shipment fails, we re-inspect after the supplier has corrected the non-conformities.

Coverage across Kuwait

Inspection at supplier premises, warehouses, yards and ports across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain, including Jebel Ali, KEZAD, Hamriyah, SAIF and RAKEZ free zones. Head office in Dubai, branch office in Abu Dhabi, so attendance is arranged directly rather than subcontracted.

UAE and GCC requirements

Many UAE government procurement contracts specify mandatory third-party inspection before shipment. For products requiring ESMA ECAS or EQM, G-Mark for GCC markets, or SABER for Saudi Arabia, pre-shipment inspection provides documented evidence of conformity before dispatch, structured to align with what regional customs and market surveillance authorities expect.

How we work

Pre-shipment inspection is carried out in accordance with the principles of ISO/IEC 17020, the international standard for the operation of inspection bodies, by a body accredited to that standard for its other inspection activities. Inspectors work to documented procedures, findings are recorded against objective criteria, and impartiality is maintained throughout.

We act 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 it inspects.

Frequently asked questions

When should pre-shipment inspection take place?

When production is at least 80% complete and goods are packed and ready for dispatch. That allows defects to be corrected before release without delaying the schedule.

What is AQL sampling?

Acceptable Quality Level sampling is the statistical method that determines how many units are inspected and how many defects are acceptable. ITMAD applies it 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 local inspectors rather than by mobilising someone from Kuwait.

How quickly is the report issued?

Typically within 24 hours of the inspection closing, issued to Kuwait time.

What happens if a shipment fails?

The report records the non-conformities and their classification. Once the supplier has corrected them, ITMAD re-inspects to verify the corrective action before release.

Is pre-shipment inspection mandatory in the UAE?

Not universally, but many Kuwaiti government procurement contracts require third-party inspection before shipment, and it is frequently written into private supply contracts.