Quality Control When Sourcing from China: The Complete Guide

Introduction

Quality control is the difference between a successful import business and a costly disaster. Without proper QC measures, you risk receiving defective products, damaging your brand reputation, and losing customers.

This guide covers everything you need to know about ensuring product quality when sourcing from China.

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The 4 Stages of Quality Control

Quality control isn't a single event — it's a process that spans the entire production cycle.

Stage 1: Pre-Production Inspection (PPI)

What to Check:

When: Before production starts

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Stage 2: During Production Inspection (DUPRO)

What to Check:

When: When 20-30% of production is complete

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Stage 3: Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)

What to Check:

When: When 80-100% of production is complete

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Stage 4: Container Loading Supervision (CLS)

What to Check:

When: During container loading

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AQL Sampling Standards

AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) is the industry standard for inspection sampling:

Inspection LevelSample SizeAcceptReject

Level I (Reduced)32 units1 defect2 defects Level II (Normal)80 units3 defects4 defects Level III (Tightened)125 units5 defects6 defects

> Recommendation: Use Level II (Normal) for most inspections. Use Level III for critical products or new suppliers.

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Common Quality Issues

Types of Defects:

CategoryExamplesSeverity

CriticalSafety hazards, non-functionalReject shipment MajorVisible defects, wrong specsNegotiate/reject MinorSmall cosmetic issuesUsually acceptable

Most Common Issues:

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DIY vs Professional Inspection

FactorDIY InspectionProfessional Service

CostFree (your time)$200-400/inspection ExpertiseLimitedHigh TimeYour timeOutsourced ReliabilityVariableConsistent DocumentationBasicDetailed reports

When to Use Professional Inspection:

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Key Takeaways

✅ Implement quality control at every stage

✅ Use AQL sampling standards

✅ Consider professional inspection services for important orders

✅ Document everything with photos and reports

✅ Build quality requirements into your contracts

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