China Products, Final Inspection

Final Inspection

A final article inspection is like an insurance policy against poor quality

A Final Article Inspection is performed when completed goods are ready for shipment from China. Completed products are selected at random and checked against your product specifications to ensure compliance, including packaging and labeling. A full report is produced after the checks are undertaken and photographic evidence provided.  

Identify issues and take corrective action before the goods leave China

How do we do it?

Your inspector randomly selects products from the completed batch to test. Faults that are identified are then classified into three categories and counted. If the number of faults exceeds the standard acceptable quantity (see AQL table), then the overall inspection fails, and corrective action will be required.

The three defect categories are;

• Critical Defect When the product fails to meet mandatory specifications and is unfit for sale.
• Major Defects When the product is likely to result in a function failure or its usability is likely to be reduced as a result of the defect. This is also applicable when the product has signs of obvious disfiguration which may potentially affect its salability.
• Minor Defects When the defect is slight and is unlikely to reduce its usability and/or function and may or may not reduce the salability of the product.

Inspection Techniques

A sample of an approved product will be required for the inspection, so that the inspector can cross reference the finished goods. The quality inspector then checks the finished goods against the following criteria;

• Product Appearance: does the product conform to specifications with respect to shape, appearance, style and colour?
• Performance: does the item function as required, and does it meet other rudimentary tests as requested by client?
• Workmanship: does it correspond with the sample supplied and were the numbers of detected defective samples within AQL acceptable limits?
• Assembly: are the components of the item well assembled without loose, missing or damaged parts? Does the product function properly after repeated manipulation?
• Accessories: are all the accessories included and do they match the sample description?
• Material: whether the material is the same as the reference sample description? How does it touch and feel compared with the sample?
• Colours: do they match the reference sample and are the colours uniform through out the sample selection?
• Size and Measurements: does this comply with the reference sample?
• Weight: where applicable, is this consistent with the reference sample and the quantity?
• Assortment: where goods need to be packaged in assortment, compliance with this is checked.
• Quantity Status: does the quantity conform to your specifications (purchase order)?
• Shipping Marks: do shipping marks conform with your specifications (photos to be provided)?
• Carton Status: are they packed and sealed appropriately and fit for transport (dry, clean and stored correctly)?
• Packing and Marking: does this conform with your request; including packing method, packing material, barcode, printing and so on?
• Factory Warehouse: an on-site inspection and factory photos will be taken and provided.
• Container Inspection: is the container in good condition: dry, clean and in a suitable condition to undergo the voyage?

Full details of product specifications, packaging and labeling requirements will be required .

Order one now

Our final article inspection can be booked two ways, either online (Online Final Inspection Order) or over the phone.

Whats included? 

Book Online inspection  Order Link (This link will take you to our online Final Article Inspection order form)

Order via email or call +61 2 92672933, download our inspection request form link

Explaination

1) 24hour confirmation is determined in business hours. If a booking is made out of business hours the 24 hour time period will commence the next business day.

2) 24 hour report delivery time normally means the following business day by close of business (6pm EST). For an Online Report this is processed on business days only, meaning if the inspection is undertaken on Friday, the report will be delivered COB on Monday. For a customised report, clients can request a faster delivery turnaround. If this is not requested, then standard delivery times will apply.

Inspections are charged on a 1 man day basis. 1 man day means 8hrs work including travel time. The report ins completed outside of this inspection period.

3) MIL STD 105E is a USA military standard that is commonly used for commercial goods inspection. It applys to the AQL table to determine the number of items that will be selected for random inspection, based on the total quantity of goods. This also dictates the number of days required to undertake an inspection. CB will advise the client once the booking has been made how many days are required for inspection to complete this task.

See the following link for a definition of this Standard and details of acceptabble tolerance levels.

 4) An inspector will always attend the inspection site ( which is noramlly the supplier factory or warehouse). When preparing the inspection request, please provide details of the inspection location. If these details are not know, provide contact information for the supplier who is responsible for the order.

In some cases a freight forwarder will allow you to consolidate your goods at their warehouse and also permit an inspection there. This is not always the case, so permission from your freight forwarder should be sought in advance.

 It is requested that inspectors be sent approved samples to be used as a reference during inspection. Please advise China Blueprint if you will be sending samples and we will provide you with the appropriate address details for the supplier location. Please also include the courier name and if available tracking number.   Allow sufficient time for the sample to arrive prior to the inspection being undertaken. Samples will be returned if requested and will be undertaken at the client cost, otherwise we will hold the sample in our office for use against future inspection requests.

5) Customised report requests will also have the added benefit of post inspection support, which means we will talk you through the results and suggest options if the results are not as expected. We may also communicate with your supplier on your behalf if requested, to have them take corrective action where quality issues are identified. This includes up to 2 additional hours work. 

6) Option to customise inspection report means, we will inspect what you want us to inspect. In some cases this may mean we cannot comply with the prescribed criteria set out by the MIL STD 105E. For example, if you have 200 teddy bears to be inspected and you want a 100% inspection, focussing mainly on the fur quality and stitching, we will work with you to achieve this.

7) If your inspection is undertaken on a Saturday or Sunday and you require onsite feedback we will work with you to deliver this information.

8) Some importers timelines are really tight, meaning as soon as the goods are complete they must be loaded for shipping. In this case, we can work with you to a) inspect as the goods come off the production line and are packaged, or b) report to you our findings verbally while the inspection is being undertaken. This can include photos sent via email.

All inspection reports are provided in PDF format, and are emailed to clients.  Hard copies are not normally provided unless requested and are subject to a $15.00 (+ GST) printing and mailing fee.  For a web version of inspection terms, link here.

Why we are different to other inspection agencies  

Once we receive your application we will contact you to establish the inspection criteria of your project and discuss any special requirements or inspection standards that your unique project may have.

Unlike other inspection companies, China Blueprint assists you with the process from start to finish. We discuss with you the inspection process, important inspection issues that you my not have considered, and how to interpret your inspection report. If the inspection reveals faults or errors we can even assist you with working with the factory to resolve these.

We normally require at least 7 days prior to the inspection date for inspection requests, however we will consider urgent requests, so do not hesitate to contact us, we are your eyes and ears on the ground in China! 
 

Top Reasons for a Final Article Inspection

1. Only takes 48 hours to receive your report (depending on size of order);
2. An inspector physically attends the factory and inspects the goods;
3. Provides documented evidence regarding goods condition;
4. Identifies goods problems before they leave China;
5. Provides the opportunity to have problems fixed before its too late;
6. Highlights packaging issues;
7. Provides sufficient information to allow for confident choices; 
8. Useful to provide in insurance claim support if there is damage in transit;
9. The inspection is booked through our Australian office; and
10. China Blueprint can tailor design the inspection to suit client needs.