Quality Control China: The Ultimate FAQs Guide

Quality control (QC) is a process or set of processes that ensure that manufactured products or services rendered meet defined quality specifications.

It aims to identify problems, non-conformities to acceptable standards, etc., and fix them before you release the product to the consumers.

ISO 9000 stipulates quality control very well in which it stresses on three areas:

Elements such as well-defined standard operating procedures, work management, record keeping, etc.
Competence; qualification, skillset possessed, knowledge base, etc.
Soft elements; integrity, work ethics, accountability, etc.

How Important is Quality Control when Importing from China?

You cannot afford to overlook quality control when importing goods or ordering mass production for business.

You can do quality control during pre-production, production, post-production and container loading.

Quality control helps reduce the risk of receiving low quality and defective products from suppliers.

This is because it enables you to detect the problems early in the process and rectified before mass production.

Besides, it is also possible to request for factory audit reports or self-inspect the factory before placing any orders.

This enables you to gauge supplier’s capacity to follow and adhere to quality requirements during the manufacturing process.

Secondly, QC is essential when importing goods because you are able to monitor every step of the production process.

This avoids delivery delays which might cost you clients, time and money.

Additionally, quality control protects you from receiving poorly made products as they will be confiscated by customs before shipping.

This also makes the suppliers to adhere to international standards when manufacturing products for fear of losing clients and business.

Quality control for imported goods from China can help boost your business brand because it assures your clients of quality product.

What is the Difference between Quality Assurance and Quality Control?

Quality assurance (QA) refers to a defined system which confirms that an organization meets the quality requirements for manufactured products.

Its purpose is to boost confidence when it comes to quality fulfillment of products and services.

Quality control (QC) is the procedure of ensuring that you meet the quality requirements for manufactured products.

QA does not require application of tangible products as in the service industry.

QC applies to tangible products, thus will apply to any products involved in the service provision such as reports, designs, etc.

While QC identifies and rectifies the defects, QA tries to avoid having the defect in the first place.

Whereas both are part of quality management, QA monitors the performance and the process whereas QC focuses on the inspection bit.

The aim of QA is to improve the processes and tests to prevent defects during production.

QC’s goal on the other hand is to arrest the defect after product development and before the release.

QA comes up with operation procedures and techniques to achieve quality requirements.

QC ensures that you follow the procedures and techniques during product development or service delivery.

Whereas quality assurance defines the standard operating procedures, they do not implement them that is the work of quality control.

Ownership and responsibility of quality assurance lies with the QA team.

On the other hand, quality control responsibility and accountability rests with those in charge of testing and inspection.

While quality assurance develops the required deliverables, quality control substantiates the final deliverable.

Moreover, Quality assurance consider the whole production cycle while quality control focuses on the testing life cycle of the product.

What is the Entities Responsible for ensuring Quality Control in China?

There are different entities that you can use for quality control services when importing in China.

Each entity has different requirement such as; visiting supplier’s factory in China, others are more expensive while some are convenient.

Supplier’s In-House Review

Supplier’s in-house review involves the quality control team employed by the manufacturer.

They are responsible for the quality checks at the factory.

This option is less costly for the you and convenient due to lack of travel to China.

On the contrary, using manufacturer’s inspection team is not 100% accurate due to conflict of interest.

Manufacturer’s interest is to produce your product faster and at a lower cost, therefore the inspection report may not be accurate.

To curb such incidences, you should request for a factory audit report to evaluate their processes.

You can also use a third-party agent to oversee quality control on your behalf.

Factory Visit by Importer

It is important for you to visit your supplier’s factory and see how the factory is run, the environment, equipment, etc.

This visit will give you a glimpse of your supplier’s capability and also establish a rapport before business commences.

The challenge however comes in when you do not have the technical know-how of quality control processes.

This will force you to take a training before travelling thus adding to your expenses.

Sourcing Agent

Sourcing agents are intermediaries between you and the supplier in China.

They conduct suppliers search on your behalf, handle communication between you and the supplier and can also do inspection.

A sourcing agent’s inspection report may not be accurate since they are after doing business and earning their commission.

In some instances, the supplier may offer them monetary incentive to by-pass product inspection.

Inspection Experts

If the above are not an option for you, you can hire quality control professionals to undertake inspection of your products.

They will have your interest at heart and ensure that only good quality products are shipped to you.

The challenge with hiring product inspection team is that they may need accommodation, travel expenses thus adding tour your importation cost.

For full time hires, it will be necessary to set up an office in China and pay for the license, statutory fees, taxes, etc.

Since the inspection team interact with various manufacturers, they are likely to know your supplier hence may end up being compromised.

Quality Control Agent

Quality Inspection Company

These are agencies whose core business is to ensure proper quality control and to the client’s satisfaction.

This third-party option is convenient and affordable since they work with your budget.

Quality inspection agencies are after customer satisfaction hence chances of manufacturers compromising them are very slim.

Their work is to monitor the inspection of your goods and give their professional recommendations.

You should communicate to the manufacturer well in advance about your inspection plans with a third-party agency to avoid surprises.

As much as the agency handles your inspection, inspections instruction and final decision will come from you.

In case the products need a re-work, you will need to communicate to the supplier and push them to deliver.

Finally, when sourcing for a QC company, ensure that you ask for their registration and certificates to avoid being scammed.

What kind of Checks do Quality Control China Agents do?

Agents in China provide the following quality control services to their clients depending on their needs.

Auditing Services

One of the services that agents provide is evaluation of the factory, credit, environment and social bit of a manufacturer.

Factory audit will reveal supplier’s capability when it comes to production, processes, certification, equipment, compliance, etc.

This gives you a glimpse of the supplier’s capability before placing your order with them.

Environmental and social audit provide information on working conditions of the factory workers and surrounding community and their quality of life.

Conducting credit audit is necessary when you need to know the financial history and status of the supplier to vet their trustworthiness.

Product Inspection

This is a quality control check geared towards avoiding delivery of non-conforming goods and ensure timely delivery of quality orders.

It involves different stages such as:

Pre-inspection
During Production Inspection
Post-production Inspection
Container Loading Inspection

Lab Testing

Is a form of quality control check that confirms product safety and compliance to various market regulations.

Besides, verifying market compliance, it also protects the consumers from harm that may arise from product usage.

Some of the lab testing available include:

US Safety Compliance Test
EU Safety Compliance Test
Consumer Product Test

Inspection Plus

This involves constant product supervision from beginning to the end as well as defect sorting to achieve timely order delivery.

Where can I get Best Quality Control Services in China?

You can get the best quality control services from reputable quality control agents or companies through their websites or referrals.

Benefits of Quality Control

Characteristics of best quality control service providers include:

Several years of experience in their fields
Are experts in their fields or have several employees for different fields
Can provide proof of previous work
Help minimize on cost, able to deliver on time and provide professional recommendations

What is a Quality Control Checklist?

This is a document that clearly defines the quality specifications and requirements of a product to a supplier.

It is also known as inspection criteria sheet (ICS), quality assurance checklist or quality control sheet.

Why do I need a Quality Control Checklist?

The following are some of the key roles of quality control checklist:

To clarify your product expectations by outlining quality standards and product requirement thus preventing product defects.
A quality control checklist provides a standard product inspection guideline for both internal and third-party QC team.
A QC checklist helps define the regulatory standards for different markets especially for exported products. This prevents chances of product seizure by customs at the point of entry.

For instance, products exported to the United States must comply with the ASTM F963 under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

For European market, the QC checklist must conform to the EN71 regulatory standards.

Having a quality control checklist in place help the supplier know areas that may need improvement for better product quality.

This also encourages collaboration between you and the supplier, thus improving business relations.

What are the Essential Elements of a Quality Control Checklist?

Quality control checklist is an important document for any production purposes therefore, it needs to be as clear as possible.

This includes having it translated to a language that the supplier understands.

Besides being easily interpretable, any quality control checklist template should have the following characteristics:

Product Specifications

Product specification is an important part of the ICS as it guides on the quality requirements of the end product.

This part defines product requirements such as:

Material of use
Dimension units as well as product weight
Color of the end product and materials, you can use the pantone color scheme in this case.
Product Labelling and Markings

Packaging Requirements

This section guides the supplier on the packaging requirements from shipper carton to the retailer packaging requirements.

It outlines the following:

Shippers’ packaging material type e.g. single or double layered, bounded cardboard, etc.
Packaging material weight and dimensions
Packaging labelling from shippers to retailer packaging
Methods of packaging
Retailer packaging printing and labelling

Factory Inspection and Off-Site Checks

One of the purposes of a quality control checklist is to inform on the tests and inspections the products must pass.

It, therefore, guides the supplier on on-site inspection process, the criteria to follow for a pass or fail, equipment to use.

Examples of factory checks include:

Moisture content check for wooden products and moldings
Barcode scan checks for products that have a barcode
Carton drop for packaging checks
Performance test
GSM test to determine the weight in fabric materials
Product functionality checks, etc.

Inspection Tools and Equipment

To perform any checks and inspections on a product, you must use certain equipment e.g. metal detectors.

When sharing an ICS with the supplier, ensure it state the equipment to use for the different checks.

This also helps the supplier’s or third-party QC’S team to prepare adequately for the inspection process.

In instances where one party does not have the required equipment, you should make an arrangement to provide for one.

Example of the tools include:

Dial calipers
Measuring tapes
Defective stickers, etc.

Quality Control China Dial Caliper

Defects Types and Classifications

For an inspection to be complete, there has to be a criterion for measuring what passes or fails an inspection.

The type and extent of defects of the products helps you to decide the acceptable quality tolerance.

Thus, there are three major categories of defects namely: minor, major and critical.

As a client, you get to confirm the level and type of defects that you can tolerate for your products.

The Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) system, which constitutes the maximum percent product defects allowable per production run can guide.

What are Popular Methods for Quality Control in China?

The common techniques for quality control in China include:

Stress Testing

Is the repetitive application of the same process on the product, such as switching a socket on and off.

ConformanceTest

This is checking of the product’s harmony to the provided requirement such as color, design, dimensions, etc.

Internal Testing

This is a consistent inspection of a product quality to confirm if the supplier actually did on-site checks on the products.

Workers Condition

This is part of social audit which verifies the environmental conditions at the factory for all the workers.

It safeguards against factory employee exploitation by manufacturers, provision of safety gears, child labor, etc.

Manufacturers must comply with health and environmental standards of operations to license to operate in China.

Basic Checks

Basic checks involve surprise visits to the manufacturer’s factory by qualified inspectors and checking their products at random.

This ensures that suppliers in China adhere to the set standards of quality management throughout their production cycle.

What are the challenges of Quality Control for Complicated Products?

Complicated products are those that have many different parts, made from different materials, of high value and difficult to make.

Administering quality control for complicated product can be difficult because of the several processes involved in developing them.

There are four major challenges associated with complicated products such as mobile phone, running shoes, etc.

Checking Many Different Parts and Materials

The more parts a product has the more likely it is to have defects during production.

This is because it is challenging to carry out quality control for each part or material.

For example, a mobile phone has different parts manufactured by different suppliers and assembled at a different factory.

It is difficult to carry out QC for the mobile phone at the factory level because of the different parts involved.

In order to reduce chances of having defective product due to the different parts, you can carry out the following inspections:

Laboratory testing for all incoming parts or materials to ascertain their quality or functionality before mass production.
Use Conformity Data Form (CDF)to check against each product for mark of conformity. This helps to verify if the product component matches the approved ones from the data form.
Factory rework on defective products to improve on its quality. This is risky because the likelihood of the defects increasing due to multiple handling is high.

Handling Many Different Sub-Suppliers

This is a common challenge because having several sub-suppliers for product components makes it difficult to monitor QC.

It is difficult to inspect and audit some of these suppliers’ factory due lack of transparency in the supply chain.

The only remedy for this is working directly with the sub-suppliers making it easier to audit their factory and performance.

Lack of Product Understanding

It is harder to carry out quality control on a product if you do not understand its functionality and components.

For instance, manufacturing of certain products happens in China but consumed elsewhere e.g. dishwashing machine.

To curb such challenges, it is important to provide suppliers with a sample, product specifications and QC checklist.

Ensure you request for proof of previous similar work and if possible, organize for a product demonstration session.

Managing Shipping Deadline

Managing several sub-suppliers means different product parts will have different QC timeline.

As a result, some parts may be ready earlier than others hence delaying other processes such as production, packaging and shipping.

Having a regular product inspection will inform you every stage the complicated product is in and your order status.

Complicated products do not necessarily have defects on them however, you should have a flexible deadline and defect threshold.

Besides, having a QC checklist, product sample and drawing will help reduce on the challenges faced.

What is the China Quality Control Process?

Typical quality control process in China involve the following:

Pre-Production Inspection

You perform this QC on the incoming materials, parts, accessories before production starts to verify their conformity.

It is also known as the Incoming Quality Check (IQC).

Only raw materials and components that pass this stage and accepted by the QC team proceed to production stage.

You can return those that fail to the supplier for exchange.

Inline Inspections

Also known as “In Process Quality Control” (IPQC).

You conduct the check during production run when about 10-15 percent of the products are ready.

The selection and checking of products against physical defects among other issues is random.

This is a crucial stage as it helps in identifying the problems that may arise early enough.

Pre-Shipment Inspection

After finishing production and ready for shipping, you again inspect the products to ensure that you only ship defect-free ones.

The QC checks for functionality, specifications, conformity, safety standards, packaging, etc.

The QC also ensures the products conform to the country of destination and market standards.

This process is also known as Outgoing Quality Control (OQC).

Pre-Shipment Quality Control

Container Loading Checks

You do inspection during loading to check the quality and quantity of products, packaging and loading process.

There is an initial sample check before mass production starts to confirm the product development and performance capabilities.

What are some Common Misconceptions about Quality Control China?

Misconceptions are false beliefs regarding quality control process in China.

These untrue statements impact negatively on customers’ business if not addressed in a timely manner.

Some of the common misconceptions about products manufactured in China are:

China Made Products are Poor Quality

This misconception came about two decades ago when the media highlighted some of the quality problems that occurred on Chinese products.

In 2007, Mattel recalled all its toys from America after the paint was found to have high level of lead.

As a result, many importers feared because of being skeptical on the quality of products made in China.

However, China’s case is not unique as many industrialized countries experienced the same challenges.

China has since climbed the ladder to top industrial exporter beating countries such as Japan. This is associated with the:

Growth of several technology companies
Adoption of automated manufacturing processes using robots
“Made in China 2025” initiative which seeks to improve china factories infrastructures by 2025.

In order to avoid getting “poor quality products” from China:

Importers should clearly state their budget, product expectations, etc. at the very beginning of engagement with the suppliers. This removes room for suppliers to use low quality materials and processes to increase their profit margins.
Secondly, importers should understand that they get what they pay for in terms of end product quality. The more you pay the higher the quality of the product and vice versa.

Chinese Suppliers always Understand the Product Requirements

The assumption that Chinese suppliers have the technical know-how of a product is dangerous and can lead to poor products.

Clear communication is therefore a vital tool when stating your product expectations, budget, inspections, etc.

When engaging with an agent to source for your products, theirs is the likelihood of misinterpreting product requirements and factory capability.

This is because the agent does not have the product’s technical knowledge compared to the factory staff.

Secondly, language and cultural differences between supplier and the clients may lead to loss of information.

In some instances, the supplier may shy off from asking important question for fear of being labelled “incompetent”.

Lastly, the product may be foreign to the supplier hence they may not be able to assess its functionality properly.

The factory staff may not be familiar with the product’s intended use and may thus assume certain requirements.

To avoid such misconception, it is important to have clear communication with the supplier directly.

If the agent does not share the factory’s contact consider signing a non-compete agreement to facilitate this.

Having samples, QC checklist and a mutual understanding contract for the product requirements holds your supplier accountable.

QC Companies will Automatically Carry out Product Quality Inspection on Chinese Products

When importing products manufactured in China, you can contract a quality control company to carry out the inspection on your behalf.

However, this does not guarantee acceptance by the supplier to allow QC Company inspect on-site.

Some factories resist third-party inspector for fear of scrutiny and discovering their sub-suppliers.

To avoid having a back and forth with supplier because of third-party QC, state your expectations early enough.

Suppliers must agree to your expectations before you place an order with them.

Quality Control Companies Collaborate with Suppliers’ Staff to Overlook QC Process

This is not usually the case due to supplier reservations on third-party QC’s presence in their factory.

To overcome this hurdle, you should stress on your supplier’s cooperation in the QC process.

The role of inspection team is to monitor product status, process conformity and quality, and issue a report to you the importer.

They then recommend a factory and process audit by qualified engineers to fix the cause of the problem.

A reliable supplier will work with the inspector and take in their recommendation to improve on their quality output.

Your Quality Control Outcomes Determine if you are Importing Goods from China

This is not usually the case when it comes to importing goods from China.

While the report from the QC team will give reasons, the importer should understand the inspection results and make informed decision.

The outcome of a QC process can be pass, fail or pending depending on the product quality tolerance set by AQL.

What inspection results mean:

Pass

Product did not have significant defects, product matched with the standard provided and any defects found fell within tolerance limit.

Fail

On the contrary, a fail means a significant number of products had issues.

Moreover, the problems found on the product were beyond the AQL or they failed an important check on site.

Pending

One or more inspection tests have not been completed due to lack of equipment or unspecified tolerance level.

Additionally, this can come about when there is an issue without clear reporting criteria.

Do all Suppliers in China accept Quality Control?

Quality control is an important part of manufacturing process.

It ensures that the product development process and the end product conform to acceptable standards.

Manufacturers have their in-house process and product review team who are in charge of quality control.

Some suppliers do not accept external quality control team due to their own reasons, and you should avoid such suppliers.

Quality Control

How do I know if my Chinese Supplier accepts Quality Control?

When contacting supplier with your product requirements, you should clearly state if you will bring in your own QC team.

If the supplier is okay with your QC plans, they will agree and sign a contract with you.

Suppliers who do not accept may be hesitant and may demand that you sign a non-compete agreement with them.

Do I need to let my Supplier know that I intend to get Quality Control? When should I tell them?

Yes, you should. It is important to state this in the initial stages of business engagement.

It makes sure that both parties are clear on their responsibilities and expectations.

What is the Typical Cost of Quality Control China?

Quality control rates depend with the total quantity of products you need to inspect, product complexity, inspection methods and time taken.

The average standard rate is USD 250 per man-day and is all-inclusive.

This covers 12 hours working period for each task, travelling, and inspection and reporting.

Do I need to send Pre-production Samples to my China Quality Control Agent?

Yes, if you have product sample, you can send them to your QC agent 2 to 3 days prior to inspection date.

Alternatively, you can send them to your supplier’s address with an “approval sample” seal on them.

Can I go to China and Handle the Quality Control on my own?

Yes, you can.

One of the ways of handling quality control of products when importing from China is doing QC yourself.

You will need to visit supplier’s factory to be able to audit the factory and inspect your products.

Should I do Quality Control on every Single Order I make in China?

It is essential to conduct quality control on all the orders coming from China.

This helps you identify the problem and save your business losses that you may incur when poor quality goods get delivered.

Does Quality Control China Check for Compliance with Safety Standards?

Yes, there are various laboratories that test products to confirm their safety standards for health, and environment for different markets.

For instance, quality control compliance for products for European markets should comply with the following standards:

CE Compliance Test
Registered Evaluation and Authorization Chemicals (REACH) Compliance Test
Restriction of Hazardous Substance Directive (RoHS) Compliance Test
Food Contact Compliance Test, etc.

The United States market regulatory standards demand for QC compliance such as:

Consumer Safety Product Improvement Act (CSPIA)
Cadmium Compliance Test
Food Contact Test

Why can’t I let my Supplier in China do the Quality Control?

It is hard to trust suppliers to give unbiased inspection report for their own products.

Reason being, they are after business and they may easily avoid anything that may raise cost of production.

Can I trust a Quality Control Agent Recommended by my Supplier?

No, due to conflict of interest.

The supplier is likely to suggest a quality control agent who is a friend and will work in their favor.

What Information does a Quality Control Report include?

Quality control report is detailed and include the following information:

Products physical appearance including illustrative pictures
Review of the products specification in terms of color, dimensions, material used, size, marking and labelling, packaging and handling process.
Quality of workmanship and product development process
On-site inspections done and methods and equipment used
Any special checks done
Issue description and classification affected product size and percentage
Overall results and technical recommendations and professional remarks

You can reach out to the inspection manager in case of clarifications or questions on the report submitted.

How Long does it take to get Quality Control Results?

Typically, you will get product quality control results within 24 hours after inspection completion.

Factory audit results take longer to analyze and evaluate hence you will receive them three days after inspection.

Immediate inspection results services are also available but at an extra cost.

Who will Approve or Reject my Shipment after Quality Control?

You, the importer.

Quality control process is guided by the international standard of acceptable quality levels as well as importer QC checklist.

After completing the quality control process, you will receive a detailed report for your analysis and judgment. You can approve or reject product shipment online.

What determines a Failed Quality Control Inspection?

Some of the factors that determine a failed quality control inspection include:

Product with defects that exceed the AQL and your tolerance limit.
Non-conforming final product that does not meet client’s specification.
Poor workmanship and production processes.

What Causes QC Inspections to Fail?

The common reason is supplier’s failure to meet required manufacturing standards in terms of skilled labor, tools and equipment and process familiarity.

What Happens if my Quality Control Agent finds Issues with my Order in China?

They will share a report on the inspection outcome detailing the cause of the issues as per their findings.

This report will guide you on the next cause of action, whether the supplier will rework on or ship the as is.

Quality Control China

How does Sampling work during Quality Control China?

Sampling is the process of selecting items or sub-sets within a population to represent the rest of the population.

ISO 2859-1 or ANSI Z1.4 2003 sampling table can guide you in determining the individuals for random selection.

The individuals are by lot, batch or color and you evaluate them for different characteristics which will represent the whole population.

You as the importer can accept or reject the report from sampling.

What should I do if I find Non-conforming Goods when I receive my Shipment from China?

In some instances, you can receive damaged products due to two main reasons:

Damage during transit
Supplier’s failure to do product re-work and ship products that have failed QC on the basis of customer’s trust

The likelihood of receiving defective products is seldom when you engage the services of a qualified quality control experts or company.

This is because they oversee the whole process end-to-end and ensure shipping of good quality products only.

To avoid such occurrences in future, the importer should request for another inspection after failed inspectionor defect sorting services.

Additionally, they should liaise with the shipper for insurance cover during transit.

What Quality Standards does Quality Control China Use?

China applies AQL and IS0 2859-1 standards in their quality control processes.

AQL is an internationally acceptable quality inspection measure which represents the maximum number of defects per hundred unit in a sample.

It defines defects as either minor, major or critical.

You arrive at the sample size depending on the product type and your QC requirements.

This sample inspection outcome represents the whole product thus you can reject or accept the shipment.

Also, ISO 2859-1 details the acceptable sampling process for the purpose of lot-by-lot inspection acceptable by AQL.

Do China Quality Control Experts Provide Product Warranties on behalf of Suppliers?

No, due to economical reasons.

When carrying out inspection of produtcs, you choose a reliable sample size to represent the whole product population.

If the sample pass the inspection then the rest of the products are considered to have passed. AQL table, which is internationally acceptable, guides this method of sampling.

In the event that the supplier packages all products with issues together, the likelihood of randomly inspecting it may be slim. Therefore, the defective products will reach you.

To prevent such corny activities by the suppliers and protect your business, you should find out about product warranty before ordering.

What is a Golden Sample in Quality Control China?

This is a sample of the product to be manufactured and is used alongside QC checklist.

The manufacturer or QC agent uses it to check if the new product quality meets expected results.

Where do I send my Golden Sample for Quality Control China?

To the manufacturer’s factory or to your QC agent’s address in China.

What are the Lab Testing Capabilities of China Quality Control Agents?

Medium and big sized quality control agencies have their own laboratories for conducting a number of tests required by clients.

Small agents who are not capable of running test on their own do engage the services of private or public laboratories.

Specialized laboratories also exist for specialized tests that are not available in quality control companies or agents.

How do I Work with a Quality Control China Agent for Effective Results?

QC agents are at your service and will ensure that you receive quality products from China.

This needs collaboration between you and the manufacturer as well as ensuring the manufacturer understands that you are in charge.

Contact the quality control agent with full details of your quality control requirements and expectation.

The agent will provide you with a quotation depending on your budget and services required.

Upon agreeing on terms, share a detailed checklist with the agent on time and ensure they understand your product needs.

You should also communicate to the manufacturer about the agent carrying out inspection on your behalf on time.

This will enhance preparations for both parties.

The agent will then provide the required services and share with you their findings through an inspection report.

This forms a basis of your decision for product shipment either rejecting or accepting.

In case the agent reportfails the inspection process, communicate the results to the manufacturer immediately and push for a rework.

At the same time, re-book for another inspection process and inform the agent of the same.

Most suppliers dislike repeating the process therefore, you should ensure you have a contract agreement spelling out such scenarios.

This will help hold them accountable thus protecting you from delivery delays and unnecessary losses.

Quality Control Plan

Can I trust my Supplier’s Internal Quality Control Processes?

No.Most suppliers’ goal is to manufacture and deliver your orders within the shortest time and cheapest way possible.

Therefore, they will not guarantee quality inspection on your product.

This is because, they are trying to avoid extra expenses that may arise due to re-work, special inspection tools acquisition etc.

How Many Days prior to Shipment should the Quality Control Inspection be?

This is dependent on the type of product and its complexities, however, the time ranges between 48 hours and 3 days.

Do China Quality Control Agents Charge Extra for Inspecting more than one Type of Products during the same Inspection?

The cost of inspection is all-inclusive and relies on the number of man-day, total products and type of inspection.

At SourcingWise, we will help you get the best products from China.

What is Quality Control?