US programme
US retail shelves and US e-commerce return-rate math both punish quality drift. Our India QC operation is designed around that reality: AQL 2.5 (major) / 4.0 (minor) applied to every container, in-line + mid-line + final random inspection, third-party lab coordination for CPSIA / Prop-65 / FDA, and a photograph archive delivered per PO per SKU.
The three inspection points
In-line inspection (20-30% production complete)
Catches process drift early — dimensional creep, colour drift, finish inconsistency, weight variance, assembly errors. Photo-documented, escalated to the buyer within 24h if a hold is required.
Mid-line inspection (60-70% production complete)
Second-pass check on high-risk categories (lighting electricals, glass finishing, upholstery joinery). Random sample from completed sub-lots.
Final random inspection (100% complete, pre-container-load)
AQL 2.5 (major defects) / 4.0 (minor defects) on a statistically-valid random sample. Full inspection report + full photograph archive. Container loading is contingent on pass — no override without written buyer authorisation.
US retail-shelf standards we enforce
AQL 2.5 is the US-retail-standard major-defect tolerance. We apply it as a floor, not a ceiling. On premium retail programmes (Anthropologie / West Elm / Terrain / Restoration Hardware-style buyers), we tighten to AQL 1.5 major / 2.5 minor. On mass-market retail (Target, Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, TJX buyers), AQL 2.5 / 4.0 is the standard.
US compliance lab coordination
CPSIA (children's product safety, lead, phthalates), California Prop-65 warning language for jewellery / brass / glass, FDA prior-notice for food-contact goods, ASTM F963 for toys. Coordinated with Intertek, SGS, Bureau Veritas — labs we work with weekly. Test reports delivered to the buyer alongside the QC file.
Frequently asked
Questions US buyers ask us on this programme.
What AQL do you inspect to?
AQL 2.5 major / 4.0 minor is our default (US retail standard). We tighten to 1.5 / 2.5 on premium retail programmes and 1.0 / 2.5 on brand-critical launches.
Do you subcontract inspection, or is your team on-floor?
Direct-employee inspectors, no subcontracting. Every inspector is on our payroll, trained on our QC protocols, and rotated across categories.
Can we join the final inspection remotely?
Yes — we run live video walkthroughs on Zoom / WhatsApp for buyers who want to be in the room. Sample sub-lots are opened on camera.
What happens if a container fails final AQL?
Container does not load. Factory reworks or resamples at their cost, per the QC clause in the PO. We do not ship a failed AQL — full stop.
Do you handle third-party lab testing?
Yes — we coordinate CPSIA, Prop-65, FDA and ASTM lab testing with Intertek / SGS / Bureau Veritas. Reports are delivered alongside the QC file for your customs broker.
Other US programmes
Continue on the US hub.
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