Quality control & pre-shipment inspection
Have your goods checked in China by an independent eye before paying the balance
Yeni İpekyolu carries out quality control at your manufacturer in China during production and before shipment. We draw random samples, measure and test them, and back your balance-payment decision with a Turkish photo report.
Pre-shipment quality control: the most critical step between deposit and balance
Why does your bargaining power shrink once the balance is paid?
In purchases from China the most common payment structure is a deposit on order confirmation and the balance before shipment. In this structure the buyer's strongest lever is the balance. Once the goods are loaded and on their way, reaching agreement with the supplier over a defect becomes much harder; the products are thousands of kilometres away, at customs or in your warehouse. That is why the timing of quality control matters as much as the inspection itself. At Yeni İpekyolu we schedule the inspection when most of the production is finished but the balance has not yet been paid.
A common mistake made by Turkish buyers is to treat a few photos sent by the supplier as sufficient proof. Photos are usually chosen from the best pieces and do not represent the whole lot. In an independent inspection, products are selected randomly according to internationally recognised sampling methods, and cartons are opened from different points in the warehouse. The result you see therefore reflects the real condition of the lot that will reach you. The report shows a photo of each defect, which carton it came from and in how many pieces it was found, so you rely on concrete data when talking to the supplier.
Types of inspection: initial production, during production, pre-shipment and loading
Not every order needs the same inspection package. If you are working with a new product or a new supplier, an inspection in the first days of production shows whether raw materials and the first pieces match the approved sample, catching errors right at the start. A during-production inspection is carried out once part of the lot is complete and gives a chance to correct things mid-process. A pre-shipment inspection is the final and most comprehensive check, performed on packed goods once most of the production is finished.
During container loading supervision, our team is present at the warehouse while loading takes place; it documents with photos that the right products are loaded in the right quantity and in the proper way, that cartons are undamaged and that the container is sealed. This step is particularly valuable for mixed loads or when goods from several suppliers are consolidated. Depending on your product and risk level, we recommend these inspections individually or in combination. Loading photos also become important evidence in discussions with the insurer and supplier if damage or shortages are found on arrival.
The checklist: making quality measurable
An expectation like “make it good quality” is not a measurable criterion for a Chinese manufacturer or an inspector. So before the inspection we prepare a checklist with you: dimensions and tolerances, colour and surface appearance, function tests, assembly, labels and barcodes, user manual, inner and outer packaging, carton markings and weights. We classify defects as critical, major and minor and set the acceptable level for each class. We translate the list into Chinese and share it with the supplier too, so the factory knows from the outset what it will be judged against.
When a problem shows up in an inspection, our report does not just point out the defect but also suggests what can be done: sorting and rework, completing what is missing, re-inspection, or accepting certain defects with a price adjustment. At Yeni İpekyolu we make the decision together with you, then handle communication with the supplier in Chinese and follow up that the correction has really been made. This approach lets you close the issue before shipment, while it can still be solved.
Who benefits most from our quality control service?
Companies importing regularly
If you expect the same quality in every order, regular inspections keep the supplier's standard in place. You notice differences between lots early.
Entrepreneurs selling branded products
A defect in a product sold under your own brand reflects directly on your reputation. With label, packaging and function checks, we make sure the product reaching your customer lives up to your brand.
Public tenders and corporate projects
For projects that require exact compliance with a technical specification, we document measurement and test results. The report can become part of the quality file you present to your own client.
Buyers purchasing from several suppliers
If products from different factories need to meet the same standard, we assess them all with one team and one checklist. We can also add loading supervision before consolidation.
What happens during a quality control visit?
Quantity and packaging check
The quantity of finished goods is compared with the order, and carton count and markings are checked. The strength and correctness of inner and outer packaging are reviewed.
Visual and workmanship check
Randomly selected items are checked for scratches, stains, colour differences, stitching or assembly faults. Defects found are classified and photographed.
Measurement and function tests
Critical dimensions are measured against tolerances and the product's operation and use are tested. On-site tests suited to the product are applied according to the checklist.
Comparison with the approved sample
Mass-produced items are compared side by side with the sample you approved. Differences in material, colour and details are noted separately in the report.
Label, barcode and document check
Turkish labels, barcodes, warning marks and user manuals are checked. The presence of markings required for the target market is noted.
Loading supervision (optional)
Products and cartons are counted during loading, and the container's condition and seal are photographed. It is documented that the right goods went into the right container.
Service summary and requirements
| Service cities | Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Yiwu, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing and surroundings |
|---|---|
| Inspection types | Initial production, during production, pre-shipment, loading supervision |
| Pricing | Quote based on inspection days and scope |
| Service languages | Turkish · Chinese · English |
| Cities served | Guangzhou · Shenzhen · Yiwu · Shanghai · Hangzhou · Beijing (coordinated from our Istanbul office) |
The final price and timeline depend on the scope; we send you a clear quote promptly.
What you need to provide
- Purchase order or proforma invoice
- Product specification, technical drawing and tolerances
- Approved sample or clear photos of it
- Label, packaging and carton marking instructions
- Supplier contact details and production address
From quality control booking to report
- 1
Preparing the checklist
We build the checklist together from the product specification, the approved sample and your expectations. We translate it into Chinese and share it with the supplier.
- 2
Scheduling the date
We find out the production status from the supplier and schedule the inspection when most of the goods are packed. We take holidays into account.
- 3
On-site inspection
Our inspector draws samples at the factory and performs measurements and tests according to the checklist. Where needed, issues are discussed on the spot with the factory's representative.
- 4
Report and decision
We send you the Turkish report with photos and interpret the results. We decide together on approval, correction or re-inspection.
- 5
Follow-up on corrections
If there are issues, we discuss a correction plan with the supplier in Chinese and follow its implementation. Where needed, we re-inspect before clearing the shipment.
Frequently asked questions
When should quality control be done?
The best time for a pre-shipment inspection is when most of the goods are finished and packed but the balance has not yet been paid. For new products we also recommend an additional check at the start of production.
How many items are checked?
The sample size is determined by the lot quantity and the chosen inspection level, using internationally recognised sampling tables. For critical products we can raise the inspection level.
What happens if the inspection finds problems?
Along with the report we present you with options: sorting, rework, completing shortages or re-inspection. We pass your decision on to the supplier in Chinese and follow up on implementation.
Will the supplier object to an inspection?
Independent quality control is a very common practice in China and most exporting manufacturers are used to it. We recommend writing the right to inspect into the purchase contract from the start.
Do you also do laboratory testing?
We carry out on-site tests ourselves. When chemical content or specific standard tests are required, we coordinate sending samples to accredited laboratories and follow up on the results.
How soon do I receive the report?
We usually share the first results soon after the inspection day and then send the full report. In urgent cases we can give a summary on the evening of the inspection day.
Does quality control make sense for small orders too?
Yes, especially for a first order. Even in a small lot, faulty products come back to you as lost time, returns and lost customers. We scale the scope to the size of your order.
Tell us what you need in China
Our consultant reviews your needs for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
