Inspection types: what each one answers

The names below are the ones commonly used in the trade. They describe usual practice; the scope of any inspection is whatever you and the inspection company put in writing.

Pre-production inspection

When: Before production starts, once materials have arrived.
What it answers: Whether the factory is about to make the right product: materials, components and the approved sample are in place.
What it cannot tell you: How the finished goods will turn out.

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During production inspection

When: When part of the order is finished, while the rest is on the line.
What it answers: Whether problems are appearing early enough to fix, and whether production is on schedule.
What it cannot tell you: The quality of units not yet made.

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Pre-shipment inspection

When: When the order is finished and most of it is packed.
What it answers: Whether a random sample of the finished lot meets the specification, in workmanship, function, labelling and packing.
What it cannot tell you: The condition of every unit: the result is based on a sample.

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Container loading check

When: At the factory or warehouse while the container is filled.
What it answers: Whether the right cartons in the right quantity went into a sound container that was then sealed.
What it cannot tell you: What is inside the cartons, unless it is combined with a product check.

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Factory audit

When: Before you place an order, or on a schedule you set.
What it answers: Whether the factory exists as described and has the systems, equipment and capacity it claims.
What it cannot tell you: Whether a particular order will be good.

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Common practice A pre-shipment inspection uses a sampling plan to decide how many units are pulled and how many defects are acceptable.

AQL sampling calculator at aqlchart.com