Quality controls are carried out to obtain a product of the highest possible quality by monitoring it at various stages of production. When importing, the first step should always be to verify the potential business partner. You need to make sure they have your factory and, if they do, where it is located. It would be better to be sure that the product will be of the best possible quality. To ensure that the products are manufactured to your specifications, you must conduct an inspection. What kinds of quality checks are carried out in China? When should such inspections take place?
Quality control process
The quality of a product is the effect of conscious actions at each stage of production, as well as before export, during packaging and preparation for transport, such as loading. Unfortunately, unless you are on site, you cannot verify the product yourself. For this reason, consider hiring a company or quality inspector to take care of it.
What are the types of quality controls in China?
There are four different types of quality control, each at a different stage of production and transportation.
Factory Audit / Pre-Production Inspection (PPI)
This type of quality control is carried out after verifying the company, which will manufacture the product. It allows you to check the production conditions of the factory and reduces the chances of fraud. The goal of these audits is to find potential problems before production begins. During this step, the quality of used materials, semi-finished products, as well as their availability, including samples and machinery, is verified. Therefore, the entire factory readiness for production is thoroughly checked. It will allow the importer to make the final decision if he wants to work with the supplier. After running the first quality check, you can start manufacturing.
During production verification (DPI, DUPRO)
During production, the inspection is carried out when 10-60% of the product has already been manufactured and your export preparations have started. The purpose is to find eventual defects and deviations at the beginning of the manufacturing process. The product undergoes physical checks, which verify whether the randomly chosen items were manufactured according to AQL standards. Compliance with specifications and eventual delays are also closely monitored.
Pre-shipment inspection (PSI)
This inspection is carried out at the end of the production process when 80-100% of the product has been manufactured. In that case, it is almost ready to be shipped. Verification includes a physical inspection of randomly selected items from all order lots according to AQL standards. This step is the last opportunity to make any changes or corrective measures before finishing the production process. It is worth doing this verification before paying the last installment of the merchandise.
It allows to detect all the deviations and defects of the manufactured products. The pre-shipment verification report contains all descriptions and photographs of the deficiencies. It also reports on the scale of the detected deviations.
Container Loading Supervision / Inspection During Loading (LS)
Cargo monitoring is the last step in the entire quality control process. It involves ensuring that the products are properly prepared for transport and that they arrive at their destination in the desired conditions. Thus, the way in which the order is loaded and if the type of transport is adequate for the given merchandise is verified. It also matters if the container is safely loaded. It must be done to ensure that the products are not damaged and arrive safely at the destination.
This verification is done at the factory after the pre-shipment. In addition to seeing how the product is packaged and prepared for transport, the required documentation should also be verified. The report includes details about the upload process. It also contains information on the materials that were used, as well as how many packages and how they are placed in the containers.
Quality controls in China: what should you pay attention to?
Remember that carrying out quality controls in China during the different stages of production reduces the risk of eventual fraud (during the pre-production period) and minimizes the risk of loss. Also, if you choose to have quality checks done, you will be considered a professional buyer. For safety reasons, we always recommend importers to do an inspection and verify the manufacturer.
You can carry out quality checks on the product yourself. However, if it is not possible to visit the factory, consider hiring specialists in China to do so. The cost depends on the location of the factory and the quantity and type of product (for example, checking a machine will be more complicated than checking pillows).
Quality control usually costs a couple of hundred euros. Still, it is worth investing to ensure that the quality of the ordered product is up to par before it reaches the destination. It will be difficult to negotiate with the Chinese supplier about the return or exchange of the product after it arrives and does not meet your specifications.
To ensure that the inspection is carried out correctly, please use our services. Contact us to receive an individual assessment.