This slideshow accompanies this blog post over on QualityInspection.org: https://qualityinspection.org/quality-inspection-services-china/ There are roughly 4 key quality inspections available to buyers with Chinese suppliers split into inspections that will catch quality issues early, and inspections that will verify quality before shipping. We'll explore all 4 in detail, starting with those that catch quality issues early: 1. Pre-production inspection 2. During production inspection (DUPRO) And then those which verify quality before shipping: 3. Final random inspection (FRI) 4. Container loading inspection Additionally, our parent company Sofeast can help YOU with product inspections if you need assistance now. See their inspections here: https://www.sofeast.com/quality-assurance/product-inspection-solutions/

1. The 4 Types of Quality Inspection
Services

2. Why conduct quality inspections?
Importers using Asian suppliers to produce their products would be wise to
conduct quality inspections.
They help to confirm that the batch of products reaches your expectations.
If you do not inspect your goods’ quality before it is shipped from Asia, how
can you know that they are compliant, safe, and the correct quality before
they reach your country?
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3. When to inspect products?
Importers can use quality inspectors to check products throughout the
production process.
If inspected early there are a number of benefits, such as avoiding
production delays, paying for costly air freight, and getting poor quality
products back from suppliers.
There are roughly 2 categories the 4 inspection types fit into:
1. Catching problems early
2. Verifying quality before shipment
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4. What are the 4 common quality inspections?
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5. Pre-production Inspection
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A pre-production inspection checks which raw materials (or components) will be used, examines and validates
the prototype, and can focus on the processes followed as production starts.
Benefits:
• Sending an inspector early in the production process will push the factory not to delay starting production.
• Factories are often suspected of lowering their costs by purchasing substandard materials which can be
disastrous for the buyer (e.g. wrong chip in an electronic device, paint containing dangerous substances).
• Chinese factories are prevented from cutting corners and not respecting the buyer’s blueprints (e.g. patterns
for cutting fabric are received from the buyer, and they are modified to make the process easier and faster).
Read more about pre-production inspections in this blog post: http://www.qualityinspection.org/pre-
production-inspection/

6. When to do a pre-production inspection?
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8. During production Inspection (DUPRO)
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A DUPRO provides you with an understanding of products’ average quality early in the production
process. It usually takes place once some finished products have come out of the lines, but should
not be done too near to production end.
The goal is to alert you of any quality problems while it is still early enough to put in place
corrections on this production batch.
Benefits:
• If quality issues are found, what is already produced might be re-workable and corrections can be
taken for the rest of the job.
• It gives buyers the time to plan ahead, and even to avoid delays (repairs and re-inspections take
much more time when problems are noticed after all production is finished).
Read more about DUPRO in this blog post: https://qualityinspection.org/inspection-during-
production/

9. When to do a DUPRO inspection?
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11. Final Random Inspection (FRI)
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The final random inspection (also called “pre-shipment inspection”) is the most common QC check.
An inspector will check product conformity, defects, and conduct tests (such as drop tests).
It usually takes place in the factory once 100% of production is finished and at least 80% is packed,
so it can be a real random inspection (this is not exactly the case if the quality is checked earlier)
and suppliers cannot play games (such as hiding defective products from an inspector).
Note that an FRI will not catch issues early, so importers should complement FRIs with a DUPRO to
avoid last minute disasters.
Benefits:
• It puts pressure on suppliers and gives power to buyers.
• It will confirm a shipment’s quality in the factory before you pay the balance.
Read more about FRI in this blog post: http://www.qualityinspection.org/final-random-inspection/

12. When to do a FRI inspection?
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14. Container Loading Inspection
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In a container loading inspection the inspector will check your fully-packed goods at the factory just before, and
while, they are being loaded into the container (but before they ship).
This inspection is a ‘last chance’ to discover issues while goods are still at the factory, and it will help put pressure on
the supplier to load the goods correctly and with care.
Benefits:
• Confirms product quality (but usually focus on carton count and packing check)
• Assures conformity of interior & exterior packaging, container, and seal.
• Assures that a precise loading plan has been followed correctly (e.g. some cartons are too fragile to be placed at
the bottom, or non-conventional loading like hanging jackets on a rail in plastic sleeves is used ).
• Confirms that the correct products are being shipped out in the right quantity if there are trust issues with the
supplier.
Read more about container loading inspections in this blog post: https://qualityinspection.org/container-loading-
inspection/

15. When to do a container loading inspection?
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16. Do you need help with your own quality inspections?
Over at Sofeast we provide these inspections to clients across China and SE Asia – follow the links to
learn more and get a quotation if you’d like:
• Production Monitoring Reporting (PMR) - https://www.sofeast.com/quality-assurance/product-inspection-
solutions/#pmr
• Inspection During Production (DPI) - https://www.sofeast.com/quality-assurance/product-inspection-
solutions/#dpi
• Final Random Inspection (FRI) - https://www.sofeast.com/quality-assurance/product-inspection-
solutions/#fri
• Full Production Check (FPC) - https://www.sofeast.com/quality-assurance/product-inspection-
solutions/#fpc
• Container Packing & Loading Supervision (PLS) - https://www.sofeast.com/quality-assurance/product-
inspection-solutions/#pls
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17. Catch our regular blog posts here: https://qualityinspection.org/blog/
We also blog at: https://www.sofeast.com/knowledgebase/
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18. The 4 Types of Quality Inspection
Services