Quality control · China
Quality control in China: the pre-shipment inspection.
An inspector spends the day in the factory, checks your goods point by point and sends you a report with photos: pass or fail. You decide before the goods leave for Morocco.
When quality control is part of your order, the balance is only due after the inspection report.
In short
How does a pre-shipment quality inspection in China work?
An inspector goes to the factory once all the goods are produced and at least 80% packed. The inspector draws a sample under the AQL standard, checks function, finish, measurements, labelling and packaging, then sends you a report with photos, pass or fail on each point. The rate starts at $250 per man-day.
When to inspect
Four moments to inspect, depending on your order.
Each visit is billed at the same man-day rate and produces its own report. You can combine several.
- 01
Before production
Raw materials, components and the first finished pieces are compared with your specifications, before the lines start running.
- 02
During production
When 20 to 50% of the units are produced, pieces taken from the line are compared with the approved sample. There is still time to correct.
- 03
Before shipment
When everything is produced and at least 80% packed, the inspector draws an AQL sample from the sealed cartons. This is the inspection most buyers book.
- 04
At container loading
On the day of departure: quantity loaded checked against the packing list, condition of the cartons and the container, seal number photographed.
The report
The pre-shipment inspection report, point by point.
The list of checkpoints is agreed with you before the visit. Every report follows the same structure, with photos at each step.
The order and the sample
Product, order reference, lot size and the AQL sampling plan applied.
The result for each point
Each agreed point is marked pass or fail, with no grey area.
Defects, photographed
Each defect is photographed, counted and classified as critical, major or minor.
Measurements
Dimensions, weight and function tests, recorded next to the tolerances you set.
Packaging and marking
Cartons, inner packaging, labels, barcodes and shipping marks, according to your requirements.
The verdict
Accepted, rejected or on hold, with the inspector's note on the next steps.
AQL in plain terms
AQL sampling, explained simply.
The inspector does not check every piece. The inspector draws a sample under the international standard ISO 2859-1 (AQL), and the rules are set in writing before the visit: how many pieces are inspected, and how many defects are accepted in that sample.
Example: for a lot of 5,000 pieces, the standard sample is 200 pieces. With the usual setting (2.5 for major defects, 4.0 for minor defects), the lot is accepted if these 200 pieces contain no more than 10 major defects and no more than 14 minor defects. One more defect, and the lot is rejected.
Critical defects, those that are dangerous or make the product non-compliant with the law (for example a short circuit or a banned substance), are never accepted: a single one is enough to reject the lot. For a premium or regulated product, you can ask for a stricter inspection.
With or without a NovaLink order
With a NovaLink order, or at your own supplier.
You can book an inspection even if you did not buy through us.
NovaLink order
The balance after the report
When the inspection is part of the order, you pay a 30% deposit, the factory produces, the inspector spends the day on site and you receive the report. Only then do you pay the 70% balance.
- The report arrives before the balance is due
- The payment schedule is written on your proforma
- If the inspection fails, the balance stays in your hands until you decide
Your supplier
An inspection on its own, before you pay your supplier
Did you buy on your own? Send us the factory's contact, your purchase order and your specifications. We agree the list of checkpoints with you, and the inspector works on your behalf.
- Schedule the inspection before the balance due date agreed with your supplier
- The report reaches you first: you decide with evidence in hand
- Payment to NovaLink by bank transfer, in USD, EUR or CNY
The rate
One daily rate, all-inclusive.
Every type of inspection is billed at the same man-day rate. The price you approve on the quote is the price on the invoice.
- Rate
- From $250 per man-day
- One man-day
- One inspector, one factory, one full day (about 8 hours)
- Travel
- Included for factories in Guangdong. Elsewhere in China, quoted on a visible line before you agree.
- Number of days
- Depends on the lot size, the number of SKUs and the product. It is written on your quote before booking.
- Report
- Photos, measurements, and pass or fail on every checkpoint
- Payment
- Bank transfer to NovaLink in China, in USD, EUR or CNY
- With a NovaLink order
- 30% deposit, 70% balance due after the inspection report
Quality control: your questions
Will your goods be ready soon?
Send the product, the factory's city and the date the goods will be ready on WhatsApp. We confirm the number of man-days before any booking.