80-100% production complete, packed
AQL 2.5 General II
ISO 2859-1
48-72 hours
≤ 24 hours after inspection
$260 / man-day
Why PSI is the most important inspection point
If you only book one inspection per shipment, make it PSI. By the time goods are 80% complete and packed, every meaningful production decision is locked in: materials are used, the workmanship is set, the packaging is sealed. PSI catches the final mismatch between what was promised and what was made — and crucially, catches it while the goods are still on the factory floor where issues are cheap to fix.
PSI also functions as the formal handover gate. With a passed PSI report and a signed Container Loading Inspection that follows, the buyer has a documented chain of custody: 'these were the goods made, these were the inspectors' findings, these were the goods loaded into container number X with seal number Y.' That chain is what protects you against fraudulent claims in either direction.
PSI scope — what an inspector checks against your specification
The PSI checklist is built against your buyer-supplied spec. Standard checks across six dimensions:
- Workmanship — stitch density (textile), finish quality, alignment, weld quality (metal), edge banding (furniture).
- Dimensions — calliper-verified against the master spec, with tolerance bands recorded.
- Function — does the lamp light up, does the drawer close, does the chair hold the rated load.
- Packaging — carton strength (ECT test on request), inner-pack count, foam/paper inner dunnage.
- Labelling — barcode scan, country of origin, GSO/CE/UKCA marking where required, care labels for textile.
- Quantity — carton count, unit count per carton, cross-check against packing list.
Sample size — why AQL 2.5 General II
AQL 2.5 General Inspection Level II is the global retail default for moderate-risk consumer goods. The table below maps lot size to sample size:
What happens on a fail
A PSI fail is not the end of the shipment — it is the start of a corrective action conversation. The inspector documents the defects with photos and severity tags. Three outcomes:
- Conditional pass — minor defects only, buyer accepts a price concession or release agreement.
- Rework — factory agrees to repair/replace the failed sample population; we re-inspect (typically 5-10 days later).
- Reject — the lot does not ship. We help the buyer document the rejection for insurance / chargeback.
Frequently asked
Pre-ShipmentInspection—commonquestions.
What's the difference between PSI and Final Random Inspection?
They are synonyms in modern practice. 'Final Random Inspection' is the older Western term; 'Pre-Shipment Inspection' is the standard term in Asia. Both refer to AQL 2.5 random sampling on a 80-100% complete, packed lot.
Can PSI be done before goods are packed?
Not strictly — packaging quality is part of the PSI checklist. If you need an earlier checkpoint, book a During-Production Inspection (DUPRO) at 30-60% completion in addition to PSI.
How is the random sample actually chosen?
The inspector uses a random-number table against the lot's carton numbering and pulls samples from across the warehouse — never just from cartons near the door. This is documented in the report.
Do you re-inspect after a failed PSI?
Yes. Re-inspection is charged as a separate man-day. Most factories prefer to clear a fail rather than risk a shipment hold, so re-inspections are typically agreed within 24 hours.
Is PSI required for shipment?
Not legally — but most retailers' Quality Manuals require a third-party PSI on every import lot from new suppliers, and on a sampled basis for established suppliers. Insurance and chargeback documentation typically expects PSI.
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