Quality
Factory Checks & Pre-Shipment Inspection in China.
Find out whether a supplier is a real factory before you send a deposit, and check the goods before you pay the balance. On-site factory check US$199, pre-shipment inspection US$229 per man-day.
Updated October 2026
| Service | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Remote supplier check | $89 per supplier | Business licence and registry check, export history and a live video call with the factory. |
| Factory check (on site) | $199 per factory | Xiamen, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou. Photos, video and a written report within 48 hours. |
| Pre-shipment inspection | $229 per man-day | AQL sampling, measurements, function, labels and carton checks, with a photo report the same day. |
What a factory check covers
- Who they really are: the business licence, the registered scope and capital in China's national enterprise registry, and whether the name matches the one on Alibaba or the contract.
- Factory or trading company: their own production lines, machines and workers, or someone else's.
- Capacity: equipment, staff, current orders and realistic lead times.
- Quality control: incoming material checks, in-line checks and how they handle defects.
- Your product: samples of similar items they make, photographed and measured.
You get photos, video and a written report within 48 hours of the visit.
Pre-shipment inspection
Book it when at least 80% of the order is finished and packed, before you pay the balance. I follow AQL sampling (ISO 2859-1, general level II) and check:
- Quantity, packing, carton marks and labels or barcodes
- Workmanship and visible defects
- Measurements, weight and colour against the approved sample
- Function and safety checks for the product type
- A carton drop test
The report comes the same day, with a clear pass or fail and photos, so problems are fixed in the factory instead of after delivery.
Individual agent or inspection company?
For a formal certified audit, such as BSCI, SMETA or ISO, use an accredited firm. For most small and medium orders, a check by the person who sourced the supplier is faster, costs less, and is done by someone who already knows your specification.
Questions People Ask
How much does a factory audit cost in China?
A basic one-day on-site verification usually costs about US$200–500 in 2026, and large certification firms charge more. My on-site factory check is US$199 in Xiamen, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou, and a remote supplier check is US$89.
When should I book a pre-shipment inspection?
When at least 80% of the goods are finished and packed, and before you pay the balance. That way any problems can still be fixed at the factory.
What is AQL?
AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit) is a standard sampling method. Instead of checking every unit, the inspector checks a random sample sized by the order quantity, and the order passes or fails based on how many defects are found.
Can you inspect factories outside Fujian?
Yes. The fee is the same; I add high-speed rail and hotel at cost and agree that with you first.
Tell me what you need.
Send the details and you'll get a plan and one all-in quote within 24 hours.
WhatsApp +86 176 2110 6260 · bailutingyu@gmail.com
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