What should you look for when inspecting production quality in China?

An increasing number of e-commerce entrepreneurs are choosing to have their products manufactured in China. That is hardly surprising, considering the enormous selection, competitive prices and ability to scale relatively easily.

But how can you be certain that the quality of your products actually meets the agreed requirements? And how do you prevent an entire container of products from arriving, only to discover that you cannot sell them?

Proper quality control is essential.

That is why we will explain exactly what you should pay attention to when importing products from China.

Why is quality control during production in China so important?

When you have products manufactured in China, there are literally thousands of kilometres between you and the factory. You cannot simply walk in to check the progress or inspect a product during production.

That is precisely why problems still occur quite regularly. The wrong material may have been used, the colour may be slightly different or the product may have minor damage. Small mistakes can have serious consequences.

The frustrating part is that these issues are often only discovered once the order is already in transit or has even arrived in the Netherlands. By then, it is far too late.

Professional quality control in China allows you to identify potential issues much earlier. This gives the manufacturer an opportunity to correct them before the products are shipped.

You can approach the process as follows:

#1: Establish clear quality requirements in advance

Always begin by making crystal-clear agreements.

Never simply assume that a supplier will ‘understand what you mean’. In many cases, they will not.

Describe your expectations in as much detail as possible, including:

• The product’s dimensions
• The materials used
• The required colour
• The weight
• The packaging
• Certificates and documentation, such as CE marking, test reports and a Declaration of Conformity

The more specific you are, the lower the risk of misunderstandings during production in China.

Where possible, it is helpful to use technical drawings, photographs or physical samples. These provide an even clearer picture of exactly what you expect.

#2: Inspect the first production samples

Before full production begins, you will generally receive a sample.

Make sure you never skip this step.

This initial example shows whether the manufacturer has properly understood your requirements. Check what the product looks like, whether the finish is satisfactory and whether the materials used match the agreement.

Ask yourself questions such as:

• Does the product feel sturdy?
• Does everything work as intended?
• Is the colour correct?
• Does the packaging suit your brand?

#3: Conduct a quality inspection during production

If everything appears to be going well, it is time to move on to the third step. This is an important one, as many entrepreneurs only arrange a quality inspection once the entire order is ready.

At that stage, you are already slightly too late.

A quality inspection in China can also take place while production is still underway. This is internationally known as a ‘during production inspection’.

It allows potential deviations to be identified at an early stage. During this inspection, issues may be discovered such as:

• Products that do not meet the agreed dimensions
• Incorrectly assembled components
• Damage
• Differences between production batches

An inspection during production can prevent high repair costs afterwards.

#4: Inspect the complete order before shipment

That leaves one final step: the last inspection.

Before your products are loaded into a container in China, it is wise to arrange a final inspection.

During this quality inspection, the inspector checks:

• The number of products manufactured
• The quality of the finish
• Any damage
• The packaging
• Labels and barcodes
• The correct quantities per box

A thorough final inspection gives you confidence that the correct products will arrive in the Netherlands.

Work with an independent quality inspector

Although you can carry out quality checks yourself, it is generally wiser to engage an independent party.

An independent inspector has no interest in getting the shipment dispatched as quickly as possible. Their sole focus is the quality of the products.

A professional quality inspection in China normally includes a detailed report containing:

• The Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL)
• The sample size
• A classification of minor, major and critical defects
• Photographs
• Test results and inspection findings

By establishing clear acceptance criteria in advance, you will know exactly what condition the order is in and whether it meets your requirements before leaving the factory.

Has the order failed the inspection? The next step should be to block the shipment and withhold any outstanding payment. You can then require the factory to sort 100% of the goods, correct or replace the defective products at its own expense and successfully pass a new inspection before shipment.

Do you need help engaging a reliable and experienced quality inspector? At Redjumla, we have years of experience with this process and would be happy to help you get started.

FAQ

Why is quality control during production in China important?

Quality control helps prevent products with defects or deviations from being shipped. Potential problems are identified during or immediately after production, making them much easier to resolve before the products are sent to the Netherlands.

When should you conduct a quality inspection in China?

You can schedule quality inspections at several stages. Many businesses begin by inspecting a sample, conduct another inspection while production is underway and arrange a final inspection shortly before shipment.

What does a quality inspector check during an inspection?

During a quality inspection, the inspector checks matters such as dimensions, materials, finish, packaging, labels, quantities and the overall quality of the products.

You will then receive a detailed inspection report containing photographs, test results and the inspector’s findings.