The approved sample was perfect. The bulk order is a different story — different shade, weaker cartons, a few hundred pieces short. The cheapest moment to fix this is before the goods leave the factory, while you still hold the balance payment. That is what a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) is for.
When it happens
A PSI is done when production is complete and at least 80% of the goods are packed. The inspector picks cartons at random using an AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) sampling table, so the result reflects the whole lot — not the pieces the factory chooses to show.
What a proper PSI checks
- Quantity — total cartons and pieces against the purchase order.
- Workmanship — visible defects classified as critical, major or minor.
- Specification — size, weight, colour, material and finish against the approved sample.
- Function — product-specific tests: assembly, fit, on-site measurements.
- Packing and marking — carton strength, labels, barcodes, shipping marks, country-of-origin marking.
- Documents — that invoice and packing list match what is physically packed.
What you receive
A written report with photos of every check, the AQL result (pass / fail / pending), and a list of defects found. On a fail, you decide: rework and re-inspect, accept with a discount, or reject.
Container loading check
For full-container shipments, a loading supervision on the day of dispatch confirms the right goods, in the right quantity, go into a clean, sound container — and records the seal number.
How we handle it
For buyers who source through Global Bridge Bharat, inspection before every shipment is part of our order management. We report within 24 hours, with photos, so you can release payment with confidence.