Choosing an inspection company in China
Every inspection company applies the same AQL tables. What sets them apart is the independence of their inspectors, the quality of their reports and their ability to be at your supplier on the day it matters.
To choose an inspection company in China, compare first its independence (who pays, what anti-corruption rules apply), then its inspectors’ experience, a sample report, the booking lead time, what the price includes and the countries covered. The day rate alone is not enough to compare.
The 8 criteria to compare
| Criterion | What to ask |
|---|---|
| 1. Independence | Who pays for the inspection? Does the company also work for factories, as an agent or consultant? Does it have ties to your suppliers? |
| 2. Anti-corruption rules | Do inspectors rotate between factories? Can they decide the fate of a lot? What happens if an inspector accepts a gift? |
| 3. Inspectors | Are they employees or subcontractors? What minimum experience? Do they know your type of product? |
| 4. Report | A real sample report: photos of each defect, measurements, a clear AQL result. How quickly does it arrive? |
| 5. Booking lead time | How many days ahead must you book? What happens if the factory moves its date? |
| 6. Price | Does the price include travel, accommodation and the report, or are they extra? Does it vary with the factory’s city? How much does a re-inspection cost? |
| 7. Coverage | Are all your suppliers covered: mainland China, but also Vietnam, India or Bangladesh if you buy there? |
| 8. Contact person | Who answers your questions, in what language, with what knowledge of your market’s regulations? |
Independence first
An inspection is only worth something if the inspector has no interest in passing the lot. The risks are well known: a company paid by the factory, an inspector who always goes back to the same supplier, commercial pressure on inspection day. Ask which rules apply, not just whether the company is “independent”.
At LPI, for example, inspectors never make decisions about production, the factory manager signs a disclaimer at every inspection restating our policy, and inspectors rotate between factories. That is the kind of precise answer to expect from any company you consult.
Accreditations and standards
All serious companies sample according to ISO 2859-1 (see our AQL guide): it is not a differentiating criterion. Some highlight an accreditation or certification; if so, check its exact scope (which services, which sites) with the body that issued it. To prove a product complies with a standard, you need a laboratory test anyway, not an inspection.
Comparing prices without getting it wrong
Most companies charge inspections per man-day. Yet two offers at the same day rate can cost very different amounts:
- travel costs added for factories far from major cities;
- surcharges for late booking, weekends or an urgent report;
- the number of product references that can be checked in a day;
- the price of the re-inspection if the lot fails.
Ask for a quote on a real case, with the factory address, the quantity and the number of references. LPI charges an all-inclusive rate anywhere in Asia: your budget does not depend on where the factory is.
Testing before committing
The best criterion remains the result. Entrust a first inspection, ideally a final random inspection on a product you know well, and judge the report: could you have decided without any other information? If you are still unsure about outsourcing, our guide inspect yourself or outsource compares the two options, and our guide to the booking lead time explains how to plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can the supplier choose and pay the inspection company?
Suppliers sometimes offer to, but the inspection then loses its purpose: the company works for whoever pays it. Choose the provider yourself and pay it, and if you like, make the cost of any re-inspection payable by the supplier in the purchase order.
Is a large international company necessarily safer?
Not necessarily. Large groups cover many countries and services; smaller companies are often more responsive and give you a single contact. In both cases, what counts is the inspector sent to your supplier: ask how inspectors are trained, checked and rotated from one factory to another.
Should I run a test before entrusting all my inspections?
Yes, it is the best comparison there is. Entrust one final inspection on a real order and judge the report: defects photographed and measured, a clear result, answers to your questions. A good report lets you decide without calling the factory.
Compare with an LPI inspection
Experienced inspectors, an illustrated report within 24 hours, an all-inclusive rate anywhere in Asia: request a quote for your next order.