During Production Inspection
The during-production inspection takes place when production is about 15 to 20% complete. It spots defects in time to trigger corrective action and keep the schedule before shipment, especially on large quantities.
Also called
- DUPRO
- Inline inspection
- During production check (DPI)
- In-process inspection
The DUPRO inspection
Here production has reached about 15 to 20% completion. This service is especially useful for large orders.
If defects occur, they will be spotted on time so that corrective actions can be implemented.
This is crucial for managing the production timeline before shipment.
What LPI will do for you during this inspection
The DUPRO inspection, also called inline production inspection, is probably the most underrated tool an importer can use.
It stops a whole production run from going wrong.
Our inspector will:
- Make the manufacturer implement the necessary adjustments and anticipate unexpected problems before shipping.
- Increase the level of attention on sensitive points.
- Evaluate the overall quality level.
The finished lot will then be judged under AQL at the pre-shipment inspection: our AQL calculator shows how many pieces will be checked and how many defects will be tolerated.
During Production Inspection: at a glance
- When
- About 15 to 20% of the goods produced
- What is sampled
- Finished and semi-finished pieces, drawn at random
- Focus
- Defect trends, sensitive points, schedule
- Duration
- Usually one inspector-day per factory
- Report
- Illustrated, online, within 24 hours
- Booking
- At least 48 hours ahead
What does it cost?
from US$ 268
per inspector-day, excluding tax
Inspections are charged per inspector-day, with travel in Asia and the illustrated report included. The number of days depends on quantity, AQL level, number of models and on-site tests: it is fixed in the quotation, before anything is booked.
See prices and termsHow a during production inspection runs, step by step
- Checklist and bookingWe build the checklist from your specifications and, if there was one, from the initial production check report.
- Production statusQuantities produced, in progress and planned are checked against your shipping date.
- Random samplingFinished and semi-finished pieces are drawn at random from the line and the warehouse.
- Workmanship, dimensions, functionPieces are compared with the approved sample; defects are classified as critical, major or minor.
- Sensitive pointsThe inspector spends more time on your known risks: defects from earlier orders, critical dimensions, safety points.
- Root causes and actionsDefects found are traced back to their cause with the factory, and corrective actions are agreed before the run continues.
- ReportWithin 24 hours, with photos, defect rates and the corrective actions the factory committed to.
What the factory must have ready
- Production running, with finished pieces available
- Access to the line and the finished-goods warehouse
- The approved sample and the specifications at hand
- The previous inspection report, if any
Defects that build up during the run
Products often reported in the EU for defects linked to assembly and workmanship, which tend to drift as production goes on.
| Product | EU alerts | Defects most often reported | What the inspector checks at this stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft toys | 40588% China | Seam strength and stitch density, fixing of eyes and noses, stuffing. | |
| Extension leads | 18175% China | Wiring and connections, plug assembly, strain relief. | |
| Chairs and seating | 4650% China | Welds, joints and fixings, frame dimensions. | |
| Bicycles | 7243% China | Frame welds, brake assembly and adjustment, torque on fixings. |
Source: Safety Gate, the EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products, January 2023 to October 2026; figures updated every week in our Quality Observatory. For your own product, see the Product Defects Monitor.
What a during production inspection cannot tell you
- The quality of the finished lot: the pre-shipment inspection judges it under AQL.
- Packing and markings, often not finished at this stage.
- Chemical and safety compliance, which needs a laboratory test.
The six inspections compared
Each inspection answers a different question at a different moment of the order. Most importers start with the pre-shipment inspection, then add earlier checks for new products, new suppliers or large orders.
| Inspection | When | The question it answers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Article Inspection | Before mass production, on the first pieces from the series tooling | Do the first pieces match the drawings and the approved sample? | New product, new mould or tooling, new material |
| Initial Production Check | 1 to 20% of the goods produced | Are the materials right, and has the factory understood the requirements? | First order, new supplier |
| During Production Inspection | About 15 to 20% of the goods produced | Is the run staying compliant, and will the shipping date hold? | Large quantities, tight schedules |
| Production Monitoring | Every day, at each stage of production | Are defects removed and reworked as soon as they appear? | Supplier that failed an early check, critical orders |
| Final Random Inspection | Production finished, goods packed | Does the finished lot meet the agreed AQL: ship, rework or sort? | Every order, before the balance payment |
| Container Loading Supervision | Loading day, goods packed and ready to leave | Are the right goods, in the right quantity, loaded safely? | Mixed or fragile loads, several suppliers |
Frequently asked questions
Why inspect during production?
To correct while there is still time. If defects appear, the manufacturer makes the necessary adjustments before the whole run is affected, which protects your shipping schedule.
What does the inspector do during a DUPRO inspection?
The inspector assesses overall quality, increases vigilance on your sensitive points and has the manufacturer make the necessary adjustments. This inspection is also called an inline inspection.
How is it different from production monitoring?
The during-production inspection is a one-off check at about 15 to 20% progress. Production monitoring samples products at several stages of manufacturing to remove defects and have them reworked.
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