A pre-shipment inspection is a check of finished goods after production and before dispatch. For engineering goods it usually happens when the order is complete and most of it is packed, so the inspector sees what will actually ship.
Its main purpose is to give you evidence before you release the balance payment. Once the goods are on the water, your leverage drops sharply.
What the inspector checks
- Quantity: the number of parts, cartons or machines matches the packing list.
- Dimensions: a sample of parts is measured against your drawing, with critical dimensions first.
- Material: the material certificate matches the heat or batch numbers on the parts.
- Finish: plating, painting, coating thickness and surface defects are checked against the agreed limits.
- Function: threads are gauged, assemblies are fitted, and machines are run.
- Marking and labelling: part numbers, batch codes and carton labels follow your instructions.
- Packing: rust protection, inner packing, carton strength and pallet build are suitable for sea freight.
How the sample is chosen
For parts made in volume, the inspector does not check every piece. A sample is drawn at random from the packed lot using a sampling plan, usually ISO 2859-1. The plan sets how many parts to check and how many defects are allowed. Our article on AQL for engineering components explains how to set it.
For a single machine, sampling does not apply. The inspector checks the whole machine, runs it and reviews its documents.
What the report should give you
A useful report lists every check, the result, the measured values, and photos of each defect found. It ends with a clear pass, fail or pending decision against criteria you agreed in advance. A report that only says "goods found satisfactory" is not enough to act on.
Some buyers or their customers need a formal third-party inspection certificate. Decide that before the order, because it affects who inspects and what they sign.
Pre-shipment inspection finds problems late. It works best alongside a first article check and a check during production, so faults are caught while they can still be fixed cheaply.
When to book it
Book the inspection when at least most of the order is finished and packed. If only a fraction is ready, the sample does not represent the lot, and the factory can ship parts nobody has seen.
Give the factory a written checklist, your drawings with critical dimensions marked, and the sampling plan in advance. Ask it to have calibrated gauges, a clear workspace and the material certificates ready on the day.
If the lot fails, agree what happens next before anyone argues about it. Usually the factory sorts or reworks the goods at its own cost, and a re-inspection follows. Write that rule, and who pays for the second visit, into the purchase order.
Next step
We inspect engineering goods before shipment, supervise loading and report to you. To set the checks and sampling for your order, book a free sourcing review.