Quality inspection in China usually means sending an independent inspector to the factory to check a statistical sample of your goods before you pay the balance. The AQL method (Acceptable Quality Limit, ISO 2859-1) tells the inspector how many units to check and how many defects are acceptable, so pass or fail is objective rather than a matter of opinion.
Key takeaways
- AQL sampling follows ISO 2859-1 and is the standard used by inspection companies in China.
- For consumer goods, the usual setting is General Inspection Level II with AQL 0 critical, 2.5 major and 4.0 minor.
- A lot of 3,201 to 10,000 units at Level II means checking 200 units; at AQL 2.5 the lot passes with up to 10 major defects.
- Third-party pre-shipment inspections typically cost around 200-350 USD per man-day.
- The best time for a pre-shipment inspection is when at least 80% of goods are finished and packed, before the balance payment.
What are the main types of inspection?
Inspections can happen at several stages of production. Most small importers start with a pre-shipment inspection and add the others for new suppliers or complex products.
| Inspection | When | What it checks | Best for |
|---|
| Factory audit | Before the order | Capacity, quality system, legitimacy | New suppliers, large orders |
| Pre-production (PPI) | Before mass production | Raw materials, components, first samples | Custom products, new materials |
| During production (DPI) | 20-50% completed | Early defects, process issues | Long runs, tight deadlines |
| Pre-shipment (PSI) | 80-100% completed and packed | Workmanship, function, packing, quantity | Every order |
| Container loading check | During loading | Quantity, carton condition, loading method | High-value or mixed shipments |
How does AQL sampling work?
Checking every unit (100% inspection) is slow and expensive. AQL sampling gives a statistically reasonable picture by checking a defined sample.
Inspection levels
ISO 2859-1 defines general and special inspection levels:
- General Level I: smaller samples, for low-risk products
- General Level II: the default for most consumer goods
- General Level III: larger samples, for higher-risk or high-value products
- Special Levels S-1 to S-4: very small samples, used for destructive or time-consuming tests such as drop tests or detailed measurements
Defect classes
Inspectors classify each defect:
- Critical: could harm the user or breach regulations, for example sharp edges on a toy or exposed wires. Usually AQL 0, meaning no critical defect is accepted.
- Major: likely to cause a return or make the product unsellable, such as a broken zipper or wrong colour. Usually AQL 2.5.
- Minor: small deviations most customers would accept, such as a light mark or loose thread. Usually AQL 4.0.
How do you read the AQL table?
The table maps your lot size to a code letter, a sample size and the accept and reject numbers. Here are common values at General Level II.
| Lot size (units) | Code letter | Sample size | AQL 2.5 accept / reject | AQL 4.0 accept / reject |
|---|
| 281-500 | H | 50 | 3 / 4 | 5 / 6 |
| 501-1,200 | J | 80 | 5 / 6 | 7 / 8 |
| 1,201-3,200 | K | 125 | 7 / 8 | 10 / 11 |
| 3,201-10,000 | L | 200 | 10 / 11 | 14 / 15 |
| 10,001-35,000 | M | 315 | 14 / 15 | 21 / 22 |
Worked example
You order 5,000 phone cases. The lot falls in the 3,201 to 10,000 range, so the inspector randomly selects 200 units.
- Critical defects: 0 allowed. One unit with a hazardous defect fails the lot.
- Major defects: up to 10 accepted. Eleven or more means a fail.
- Minor defects: up to 14 accepted. Fifteen or more means a fail.
Each defect category is judged separately. A lot can pass on minor defects and still fail on major ones.
What does an inspector actually check?
A standard pre-shipment inspection usually covers:
- Quantity: number of finished and packed units, carton count.
- Packaging and labelling: carton marks, barcodes, warnings, language requirements for your market.
- Visual workmanship: scratches, stains, assembly, finishing.
- Dimensions and weight: against your specification sheet.
- Function tests: switching on electronics, opening zippers, testing mechanisms.
- Product-specific tests: drop test for cartons, colour fastness rub test, barcode scan, stress tests.
- Comparison with the golden sample you approved before production.
The more precise your checklist, the more useful the report. Send the inspection company your specifications, approved sample photos and a list of known risks.
Choosing your AQL limits
The standard 0 / 2.5 / 4.0 setting suits most consumer goods, but you can adjust it:
- Stricter (for example 0 / 1.5 / 2.5): children's products, premium brands, items sold on marketplaces where returns and bad reviews are costly.
- Standard (0 / 2.5 / 4.0): most household goods, accessories and textiles.
- Looser (for example 0 / 4.0 / 6.5): low-value promotional items where small cosmetic defects are acceptable.
Stricter limits mean fewer tolerated defects, which suppliers may price in. Agree on the levels before production starts, ideally in the purchase contract, so there is no debate when the report arrives. Also define in writing what counts as critical, major and minor for your product, because a scratch on a premium watch is not the same as a scratch on a garden tool.
How much does inspection in China cost?
Most inspection firms price by the man-day, meaning one inspector on site for one working day.
| Provider type | Typical price per man-day | Notes |
|---|
| International firms (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) | Often at the higher end | Wide network, strong brand recognition |
| Specialised inspection firms (QIMA, V-Trust and similar) | Around 200-350 USD | Online booking, reports within 24-48 hours |
| Local inspection agencies | Often 150-250 USD | Price and quality vary, check references |
| Sourcing agents | Sometimes included in their fee | Less independent than a third party |
Additional costs can include travel to remote areas, weekend or urgent bookings, and laboratory testing. Lab tests for EU regulations (for example REACH or EN 71) are billed separately and can range from a few hundred to a few thousand euros depending on the scope.
For a typical small order of a single product, one man-day is usually enough. Large orders or many SKUs may need two or more.
When should you book an inspection?
- Agree on inspection in the contract. State that the balance is paid only after a passed inspection at AQL levels you define.
- Book 3 to 5 working days ahead. Many providers accept shorter notice for a surcharge.
- Confirm the production status with the supplier a few days before the date to avoid a wasted visit.
- Receive the report, usually within 24 to 48 hours, with photos and defect counts.
- Decide: accept, ask for rework and re-inspection, or negotiate a discount.
- Pay the balance only once you are satisfied.
Many contracts specify that if a lot fails, the supplier pays for the re-inspection.
What if the inspection fails?
A failed report is a negotiation tool, not the end of the relationship. Options include:
- Sorting and rework: the factory checks all units and fixes or replaces defective ones, followed by a re-inspection.
- Discount: for minor issues you can live with.
- Partial shipment: ship only the conforming part of the order.
- Refusal: for critical safety issues, never accept the goods.
Keep all communication written and refer to the specifications and golden sample in your contract.
How Cina helps
Cina's templates and checklists guide, part of the Cina resources, includes an inspection checklist template and a sample contract clause linking payment to AQL results. The supplier directory helps you shortlist suppliers you can then audit and inspect. If you consolidate goods from several factories, the warehouses in China directory lists facilities where inspections can also take place before export.
Conclusion
AQL inspection turns quality from an argument into a measurable result. Define your inspection level and AQL limits in the contract, book an independent inspector before the balance payment and act on the report. For a few hundred euros per order, it is one of the most cost-effective protections an importer can buy. To go further, read our guides on finding reliable suppliers, verifying suppliers and ordering samples.
