Results we've delivered,
not promises we've made.
Every engagement starts with a problem. Here’s how we solved them — with numbers, timelines, and the sourcing details that actually matter.
Factory visits documented
Industries covered
Largest cost reduction
Countries sourced from
Four Types
of Inspection
Different inspection types catch different problems. The right combination
depends on order value, product complexity, and how well you know your
factory.
01
Initial Production Check
Catch problems at the source, not at the port. An IPC confirms the factory has the right materials, understands your specs, and has started production correctly. Fix issues when they’re cheapest to fix — before defects multiply across thousands of units.
Best for: New factory relationships, complex products, large orders.
02
During Production Inspection
A mid-run spot check on finished units coming off the line. By now there are enough completed pieces to run a statistically meaningful AQL sample. Identify a defect trend when you still have time to correct it before the full batch is finished.
Best for: Long production runs, repeat orders, quality-sensitive goods.
03
Pre-Shipment Inspection
The most common inspection type. The full order is ready and packed. An inspector pulls a random sample per AQL tables, checks workmanship, dimensions, function, labelling, and packaging — and gives you a pass/fail verdict before you release payment.
Best for: Most importers. The minimum inspection every order should have.
04
Container Loading Supervision
An inspector witnesses the physical loading of your container. Verifies carton counts, checks that the right goods go in, confirms container condition, documents seal numbers, and photographs the loading process. Essential if substitution risk is a concern.
Five Steps,
One Standard
From booking to report: a straightforward process that keeps you in control at
every stage.
Submit RFQ
Share factory name, city, product specs, AQL requirements, and your preferred inspection date.
Inspector Assigned
We confirm an inspector in the right city within 24 hours of booking. You receive their name and contact.
Inspection Day
Inspector arrives at the factory, works independently, conducts AQL sampling and all agreed checks.
Report Delivered
Full written report with 50+ annotated photos lands in your inbox within 24 hours of inspection completion.
You Decide
Approve the shipment, request rework, hold payment, or book a re-inspection — all based on documented evidence.
What's in
the Report
Every inspection produces a structured, photo-rich PDF report. Not a ticked checklist — a documented record you can act on, dispute with, or archive.
Order & Product Summary
Factory name, address, order quantity found, number of cartons inspected, AQL level applied, and general product description.
Workmanship & Dimensions
Physical measurements checked against your approved specs or golden sample. Visual defect count by defect category (critical / major / minor).
Function & Safety Tests
Product-specific tests — assembly, mechanical operation, electrical function, weight, drop test — agreed with you before inspection day.
Label & Barcode Verification
SKU codes, barcode scans, country-of-origin markings, compliance labels (CE, FCC, etc.) checked against your requirements.
Packaging Check
Inner packaging, carton strength, drop test, carton markings, and packing method verified against your specifications.
50+ Annotated Photos
Timestamped, GPS-tagged photos covering the factory floor, production area, sampled units, defects found, packaging, and carton markings.
Pass / Fail Verdict
A clear overall finding — Pass, Fail, or Pending — with specific recommendations for rework or corrective action if needed.
Independent.
Thorough. Fast.
Our inspectors are not employed by the factory, not paid by the factory, and
have no commercial relationship with your supplier. That independence is the
point.
Fully Independent
No factory affiliation. No commission from suppliers. MFE works exclusively for the buyer — your interests, your standards, your specs.
Nationwide Coverage
Inspectors in all major Chinese manufacturing hubs: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Shanghai, Yiwu, Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou, Qingdao.
AQL to ISO 2859-1
Sampling follows internationally recognized AQL statistical standards. We’ll recommend the right inspection level and AQL for your product and risk profile.
24-Hour Reports
Reports are delivered within 24 hours of inspection completion — not 3–5 days. You keep your production and freight schedule moving.
EN + ZH Reports
Reports are issued in English. Chinese versions available on request — useful for corrective action discussions directly with your factory team.
Rework Follow-Up
If an order fails, we can coordinate rework with the factory and schedule a re-inspection — all managed from your side of the Pacific.
Common Questions
What's the difference between quality inspection and a factory audit?
An inspection checks the goods in a specific order against spec/AQL. A factory audit checks the supplier’s capability and systems. Many buyers do an audit before first order, then inspections on every shipment.
What AQL level should I use?
Most consumer goods use General Inspection Level II with AQL 2.5 (major) / 4.0 (minor), but it depends on your product and risk tolerance.
When should the pre-shipment inspection happen?
When production is 100% complete and ≥80% packed — late enough to be representative, early enough to hold payment if it fails.
Do you do third-party lab testing too?
Yes — we coordinate accredited labs (SGS, Intertek, TÜV) for material, safety or compliance testing, alongside our own on-site visual/functional checks.
How fast is the report?
Same day. You see photos and pass/fail before releasing the balance payment.
Can you inspect if I sourced the supplier myself?
Yes. Inspection is a standalone service — you don’t have to have sourced through us.
Don't pay for defects.
Book an inspection before your next balance payment.
Related
Before your first order — or after a quality failure — a factory audit reveals whether your supplier can actually deliver what they promise.
How MFE helped an EU medical importer qualify a compliant Chinese supplier — audit, IPC, and pre-shipment inspection on every order.
Inspection data reveals hidden waste. See how MFE uses defect trends to negotiate with suppliers and drive down your total landed cost.