FIDELITY DEFINES QUALITY
Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)
Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI) is a quality control procedure conducted at the country of origin after production is 100% completed, but before goods are shipped. It ensures that the products meet the agreed-upon specifications, including quantity, quality, packaging, labeling, and regulatory compliance. PSI acts as a safeguard for international buyers in cross-border trade by verifying the conformity of the goods before they leave the factory or warehouse.
Random Sampling
Based on statistical techniques, inspectors randomly select products from your entire order, ensuring an unbiased representation of the shipment.
Visual Inspection
Inspectors check the appearance, craftsmanship, and overall presentation of the products.
Functional Testing
Inspectors conduct tests to verify functionality and performance.
Measurement Verification
Physical dimensions and weights are checked against the product specifications.
Packaging & Labeling
Ensure that the packaging is adequate for transportation and the labeling complies with the buyer’s requirements.
Reporting
A detailed inspection report is provided, including findings, photographs, and recommendations.
When to Consider Hiring PSI ?
First-time Cooperation with a Supplier
When working with a new supplier, especially one located overseas, trust and reliability may not yet be established. PSI serves as an independent verification tool, helping to detect potential fraud and ensuring the supplier meets your expectations.
High-value Shipments
For expensive or specialized products, even minor defects can result in significant financial loss. PSI helps minimize these risks by confirming the quality of goods before shipment.
Industries with Strict Quality Requirements
Certain industries, such as medical equipment, electronics, and automotive, demand adherence to rigorous standards. PSI ensures these requirements are met before products reach the destination.
Compliance with Import Regulations
Some countries or regions have stringent import requirements, and non-compliance can result in delays or additional costs. PSI ensures adherence to regulatory standards, helping to avoid potential disruptions.
Large Volume Orders
When purchasing in bulk, inspecting each individual item is impractical. PSI employs statistically sound sampling methods to provide a reliable assessment of the shipment’s overall quality.
Custom or Tailored Products
For customized goods, buyers often have unique specifications and expectations. PSI ensures these tailored requirements are met, reducing the risk of receiving incorrect or defective items.
Mitigating Long-distance Challenges
Cross-border trade involves long shipping times and significant logistical costs. PSI helps detect issues early, avoiding the expense and delay of returning goods after arrival.
Key Benefits of PSI
Risk Reduction
- Detect product defects or discrepancies before shipping to prevent costly returns or disputes.
- Ensure goods meet agreed specifications, reducing risks associated with non-compliance or poor quality.
Cost Efficiency
- Identify issues early, avoiding expensive rework or rejected shipments at the destination.
- Save resources by outsourcing inspections to experts, eliminating the need for costly cross-border travel and in-house quality control efforts.
Enhanced Trust and Transparency
- Foster trust between buyers and suppliers by providing an independent quality assurance mechanism.
- Establish accountability on both sides of the trade.
Compliance with International Standards
- Ensure products meet regulatory requirements in the destination country, avoiding delays or penalties.
- Align with global standards like ISO 2859-1 for sampling and inspection procedures.
Tailored to Specific Needs
- PSI services can be customized to address specific buyer requirements, such as unique industry standards or tailored products.
Service Rate & Quotation
The rate for this QC service is 250 USD/Man-day.
Request a Quotation
The minimum quotation unit for an inspection is 1 Man-day (1 MD). To provide an accurate quotation, please provide the following details:
- Location: Typically the factory or warehouse address where the inspection will take place.
- Packing List or Product Details: Include the type of goods, quantity, and variations in styles or models. NOTE: this is not required for factory audits).
- Inspection Requirements (Optional): If no specific requirements are provided, our standard inspection process will be applied.
A Man-day (1 MD) refers to the total time required by an inspector to complete a task, measured in an 8-hour work period. This includes both inspection time and travel time.
For example:
- If an inspector spends 6 hours conducting on-site inspection and 2 hours traveling, this constitutes 1 Man-day.
- If the travel time and inspection combined exceed the 8-hour limit, additional costs may apply.
This structure provides transparent cost expectations while ensuring flexibility to accommodate different inspection scenarios.
Covered Regions
At SQT, We offer comprehensive quality control services across our covered regions. This includes China, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Burma.
The response time for setting up an onsite inspection is 24 hours in China and 48 hours in other countries across South-East Asia.
General Workflow
Inquiry Phase
- Received QC request
- communicate regarding basic details.
Requirement&Feadback
- Engineering team assesses feasibility.
- Finalize a quotation with service details and payment terms.
Quotation & Confirmation
- Send quotation to client.
- Client confirms and makes payment according to payment terms with us.
Scheduling
- Coordinate with supplier/factory to set inspection date.
- Inform the customer of the schedule.
Inspection
- Perform on-site inspection according to standards.
- Notify the customer immediately if major issues arise.
Reporting and Payment
- Deliver the inspection report within 24-48 hours.
- Collect remaining payment according to payment terms.