An inspection is a check of goods at the factory by an independent inspector before they are shipped. It is the cheapest way to catch problems while they can still be fixed.
Types of inspection
A pre-production check confirms materials and components. A during-production inspection catches defects early. A pre-shipment inspection checks finished, packed goods. A loading check confirms the right goods and quantity go into the container.
What AQL means
AQL, Acceptance Quality Limit, is a sampling method from the ISO 2859-1 standard. Instead of checking every unit, the inspector checks a random sample. The sample size depends on the order quantity, and the AQL level sets how many defects are acceptable in that sample.
Defect types
Critical defects make the product unsafe or illegal and are usually not accepted at all. Major defects make the product unusable or unsellable. Minor defects are small flaws that do not affect use. Typical limits are 0 for critical, 2.5 for major and 4.0 for minor.
Reading the report
A good report shows the quantity checked, defects found by type, measurements, photos of the product, packing and labels, and a clear verdict: passed, failed or pending your decision.
When an inspection fails, the factory reworks or replaces the goods and a re-inspection follows before shipment.