Pre-Shipment Inspection: What Importers Need to Check
The Role of Pre-Shipment Inspections in Quality Control
A Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) is conducted when production is at least 80% completed and packed. It is the final opportunity to verify product quality, quantity, and packaging before the container is loaded and shipped across the ocean.
The Standard PSI Checklist
During a professional pre-shipment inspection, the quality inspector follows a rigorous sampling plan (usually ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 / AQL) to check:
- Quantity Verification: Verify the total number of cartons and units matches the packing list.
- Visual Workmanship: Inspect products for cosmetic defects, structural flaws, assembly issues, and surface finishes.
- Function & Safety Tests: Perform operational testing, drop tests, barcode readability tests, and power/voltage checks where applicable.
- Packaging & Labeling: Ensure shipping marks, product labels, instruction manuals, and retail packaging are correct and secure.
Why Importers Should Never Skip PSI
Once products leave the factory and cross borders, returning defective merchandise is economically and logistically unfeasible. Discovering issues while the goods are still in the manufacturer’s facility allows you to hold payment and force the supplier to perform rework at their expense.
GMM offers on-site inspection services in major manufacturing hubs. Safeguard your business using GMM’s quality control and pre-shipment inspection services.