What is a pre-shipment inspection and what does it cover?

A pre-shipment inspection (PSI) is a third-party quality check performed at the supplier's warehouse or port before goods are loaded for export. Inspectors verify product quantity, packaging integrity, labelling accuracy, physical condition, and conformity to the buyer's specifications. For commodities like coffee, spices, and herbal products, PSI also includes moisture content, defect counts, and organoleptic evaluation.

What is AQL sampling and how does it work under ISO 2859?

AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) is a statistical sampling method defined by ISO 2859-1 that determines how many units to inspect from a production lot and how many defects are acceptable before the lot is rejected. For example, at AQL 2.5 on a 2,000-unit lot, an inspector draws 125 samples and rejects the entire lot if more than 7 units fail. This avoids inspecting every single item while still providing statistically reliable quality assurance.

When should I book a pre-shipment inspection?

Book your PSI when at least 80% of the order is packed and ready for shipment. Inspecting too early means the final batch is unchecked; inspecting too late means there is no time to fix problems before the shipping deadline. For first-time suppliers, also consider a during-production inspection at 30-40% completion to catch issues before they scale across the full order.

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Pre-Shipment Inspection: What It Is and Why It Saves You Money

By Cakglo Team · March 2026 · 8 min read

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Pre-Shipment Inspection: What It Is and Why It Saves You Money

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