A pre-shipment inspection is a check of your finished jewellery order, done at the maker's premises before the goods are released and before you pay the balance. The inspector draws a random sample from the packed or nearly packed order and checks it against the approved samples, your specification and the purchase order, then sends you a report with photos and a pass or fail result.
It is the last point where a problem can be fixed in Rajkot rather than discovered in your warehouse.
When it happens
Book it when the order is complete and at least most of it, typically 80 per cent or more, is packed. Earlier and the inspector is checking work in progress; later and the goods may already be with the carrier. For large or new orders, an inline check during production, after plating starts, catches problems while they can still be corrected cheaply.
What the inspector checks
- Quantity: designs, colours and pieces per design against the purchase order.
- Design: each style compared side by side with the sealed approved sample.
- Finish and plating: colour match, even coverage, no bubbles, peeling, stains, black spots or exposed base metal.
- Stones: correct type, colour and size; all present; set firmly, with no glue marks.
- Function: clasps, hooks, screws, adjustable fittings and earring backs open, close and hold.
- Dimensions and weight: chain lengths, bangle sizes, ring sizes, earring weights within tolerance.
- Labels and packaging: tags, barcodes, cards, boxes and anti-tarnish bags as specified.
- Cartons: marks, counts per carton, sealing and the packing list.
How the sample is chosen
The sample size and the number of defects allowed come from a sampling plan, usually ISO 2859-1 (also known by the US version, ANSI Z1.4), using your chosen AQL levels; see the next article on AQL. Pieces are pulled at random from several cartons, not handed over by the maker.
What happens after
If the order passes, you pay the balance and release the goods. If it fails, the maker sorts or reworks the lot and you book a re-inspection, usually at the maker's cost. Small, fixable issues can be accepted with a written note, so they are corrected on the next order.
What this means for a buyer
Agree the inspection in the order and give the inspector the approved samples and specification. Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing. We inspect jewellery in Rajkot against your counter-samples and send a photo report before your balance is due. Ask for a free sourcing review.