Global quality assurance programs include third-party inspections to ensure that consumer goods meet specifications before they are released and shipped. With Aracuda’s AI-enhanced collaborative marketplace of inspection agencies across all categories, including consumer goods, our team maintains a robust global training, quality, and integrity system to support our client programs, with agencies located in all major sourcing locations.
By leveraging our global reach, expertise, and data management systems, Aracuda is a key partner for businesses in designing and customizing global inspections to meet their specific needs. The Aracuda platform offers access to multiple consumer goods inspection agencies.
There are three types of inspections for different stages of production:
1) Pre-Production Inspection (PPI)
Pre-production inspections are conducted by importers before production begins. Their primary purpose is to make sure that a factory is ready to start production. In order to ensure that the factory’s raw materials, accessories, and components match specifications, the third-party inspector may inspect the factory’s production line, equipment, and facilities. If your current supplier has had problems maintaining raw material quality, or if your new supplier is unable to meet critical delivery dates, you may want to consider pre-production inspections.
2) During Production Inspection (DUPRO)
The term “DUPRO” refers to a quality inspection that is conducted while production is ongoing. Usually, this occurs after the factory has produced at least 20% of its goods. Inspections at this stage allow importers to identify deviations or defects earlier, reducing costly delays and allowing them to act immediately. When you need to meet strict deadlines and cannot afford any delays, we recommend DUPRO inspections for goods with strict requirements and produced in high volumes.
3) Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSI)
The most popular type of inspection mentioned in this article is the pre-shipment inspection, in which importers check the quality of their goods before they ship them. After the factory has finished production and packed at least 80% of your goods, you can inspect the finished products to ensure they meet your specifications. Among other things, the quality inspector checks random samples for dimensions, labelling, functionality, and workmanship in a PSI. Before the factory loads the goods into a container for shipment overseas, a pre-shipment inspection allows the importer to detect defects.
As an importer, you may also benefit from two other types of quality inspections. These are:
1) Loading Inspections:
The loading inspection or loading supervision focuses on making sure your goods are loaded correctly and safely into the shipping container. An inspector evaluates the shipping container, packaging, and product quantities. While PPI, DUPRO, and PSI help ensure product quality, mishandling during loading can quickly lead to problems.
In addition to ensuring that goods are handled professionally, loading inspections can also reveal potential issues the importer can address right away, rather than waiting until the goods arrive. If you import fragile goods, loading inspections can give you added confidence in the shipping process.
2) Sort Inspections:
When you find defective items in your shipment, a sort inspection is necessary to remove them all. It involves going through all of the products to remove any faulty ones. When quality issues, such as color variations, cracks, scratches, and missing parts, are found in a shipment, it is conducted. Sort inspections have the greatest benefit in ensuring that defective items do not reach your customers, leading to returns, complaints, and damage to your brand.
Choose the right inspection option for you
Product inspections can help you mitigate these issues and ensure that you import high-quality finished products. Importing substandard goods can result in customer complaints, returns, brand damage, and loss of investment. A good understanding of your options as an importer is the first step, and this article has discussed five types of product inspections you should be aware of.
It is important to keep in mind that there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to quality inspections. The quality control method you use depends on the product you are importing, set regulations in the industry, customer preferences, and other factors. In order to achieve your quality goals, you may also need to combine two or more inspections.
