For global clothing brands working with Chinese factories, ensuring consistent product quality before shipping is essential. At Yudi Clothing Co., Ltd., with over 21 years of manufacturing experience and clients in 50+ countries, we understand how crucial pre-shipment inspections (PSIs) are in protecting your brand’s reputation and avoiding costly returns.
In this article, we explain what a PSI is, why it matters for apparel businesses, and how to seamlessly organize one with your Chinese supplier.
✅ What is a Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)?
A pre-shipment inspection (PSI) is a type of final quality control check conducted once the production is complete but before the goods leave the factory. It’s typically carried out by a third-party inspection company and involves checking product quality, conformity to specifications, and packaging.
For clothing, this means verifying:
Fabric quality and stitching
Color accuracy and measurements
Labeling and hangtags
Packaging, barcoding, and quantity
Any special client-specific requirements
🎯 Why a PSI is Crucial for Clothing Brands
1. Quality Assurance
PSIs catch production defects like loose threads, incorrect sizes, or fabric inconsistencies—before they reach your customers.
2. Compliance with Your Specs
Whether you’re using OEM or ODM services, a PSI confirms that what was produced matches your tech packs, size charts, trims, and packaging instructions.
3. Avoid Costly Returns
Detecting issues early helps you avoid re-shipping costs, damaged reputation, and refund requests.
4. Smoother Logistics
Once your PSI passes, you can confidently proceed with shipping, customs clearance, and delivery schedules.
🛠 How to Organize a Pre-Shipment Inspection with Your Chinese Partner
1. Choose a Trusted Inspection Company
Work with a third-party agency experienced in garment inspections and familiar with AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) standards, such as SGS, Intertek, or AsiaInspection (QIMA).
2. Define Your Inspection Checklist
Provide detailed instructions including:
Product designs and measurements
Tolerance levels (e.g., +/- 1.5 cm on chest width)
Packaging and labeling specs
Defect classifications (critical, major, minor)
3. Inform Your Chinese Factory in Advance
Let your supplier know the inspection schedule. The factory must finish production, ironing, and packing before the inspector arrives.
4. Random Sampling Based on AQL
The inspector selects a random batch using international standards (typically AQL 2.5 or 4.0) to check garment quality.
5. On-Site Physical Inspection
The inspector visits your factory and assesses the selected samples for defects, measurements, label correctness, and packaging integrity.
6. Receive a Full Inspection Report
This includes:
Defect photos
Measurements vs. specs
A pass/fail result
Recommendations (Accept, Reject, or Rework)
7. Make a Decision
You decide whether to:
Approve shipment
Request rework and re-inspection
Reject the order (if major issues are found)
📌 Pro Tip from Yudi Clothing:
For repeat orders, use PSI data to continuously improve product consistency and adjust quality tolerances as needed.
🧭 Conclusion
A pre-shipment inspection is a smart investment for any clothing brand sourcing from China. By partnering with a reputable Chinese clothing factory like Yudi Clothing Co., Ltd., and organizing third-party PSIs, you can ensure your garments meet your brand standards every time.
💬 Need help organizing a PSI for your upcoming order?
We offer in-house QC support and can help you coordinate with top inspection agencies.
📩 Contact us to ensure your next shipment is safe, compliant, and ready for market.
