PSI: your last checkpoint before shipping
Pre-shipment inspection (PSI) is the most common quality control service used by importers in China — and the most misunderstood. Here are 10 things that separate professionals from beginners.
- Book early. Inspectors' schedules fill up, especially before peak seasons. Book at least 3-5 working days in advance.
- Inspect after packing, before shipping. PSI checks finished, packed goods — the same condition they will ship in.
- Define your AQL. Decide acceptance levels for Critical, Major and Minor defects before the inspection, not after.
- Provide the approved sample reference. The inspector needs to know what 'right' looks like.
- Give complete documents. PO, packing list, specifications and test requirements make the inspection faster and more accurate.
- Understand sampling. Your goods are sampled randomly per ISO 2859-1 — not every product is checked.
- Read defect classification. Critical, Major and Minor have different consequences; know which ones block shipment.
- Check the photos. A good report documents defects with photos — verify they match the findings.
- Act on failures fast. A fail result means sorting or rework — the sooner the factory starts, the sooner you ship.
- Consider re-inspection. After rework, a second inspection confirms the fix before you release the container.
QCANT delivers pre-shipment inspection reports within 24 hours with photos, AQL data and a clear pass/fail conclusion.
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QCANT — Independent quality inspection & auditing in China. Contact us: cs@QCANT.com.