Product Inspection
Pre-shipment quality control directly on the factory floor. Comprehensive checks and reports so you never import defective goods.
Our certified quality control inspectors visit supplier factories across China, catching defects before they ever ship. A thorough pre-shipment inspection prevents costly returns and protects your brand reputation.
Our inspections follow the AQL 2.5 sampling standard used by major retailers worldwide: a statistically valid sample of your order is pulled at random and checked for critical, major, and minor defects. Depending on where the risk sits in your production run, we inspect before production begins, during production while problems are still cheap to fix, or once goods are 80–100% packed and ready to ship.
Inspection Types
| Inspection | When it happens | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-production (PPI) | Before production starts | Raw material and specification verification |
| During production (DUPRO) | 20–60% complete | Early defect detection and correction |
| Pre-shipment (PSI) | 80–100% packed | AQL 2.5 sampling report with pass/fail |
| Factory audit | Before you order | Licenses, capacity, and quality systems check |
Every inspection produces a detailed photo and video report within 24 hours, with a clear pass/fail recommendation. If defects surface, we manage rework with the factory locally — no international returns, no extra fees. We can also audit a factory before you place your first order, verifying licenses, production capacity, and quality systems on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AQL 2.5 mean?›
AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) 2.5 is the international sampling standard for consumer goods. It defines how many units we inspect from your order and the maximum defects allowed before the batch fails — the same threshold used by Amazon and major retailers.
How quickly do I receive the inspection report?›
Within 24 hours of the factory visit. Reports include photos, video, measurements, and a clear pass/fail recommendation so you can approve or hold the shipment immediately.
Can you check a supplier before I place an order?›
Yes — our on-site factory audit verifies business licenses, production lines, capacity, and quality-control systems, and assesses whether the factory actually manufactures your product or subcontracts it.
What happens if the inspection finds defects?›
You decide with full information: the factory can rework or replace defective units, we re-inspect after correction, or the shipment is held. Rework is handled locally in China, avoiding costly international returns.
“Googol Traders turned a chaotic China sourcing process into something we barely think about. Inspection reports catch issues early, and shipments simply arrive on time.”
Daniel Mercer — Procurement Lead, Atlas Hardware (USA)
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Book an inspection at your supplier's factory — most visits are scheduled within 48 hours anywhere in China.
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