by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog'

Some buyers don’t want random inspections. They don’t trust the manufacturer to produce consistently at the right quality level. So they need to check 100% of the goods.

A few months ago, I described inspections on a platform, where the shipment is inspected outside of the factory before being shipped out (if it is accepted for shipment). Some large importers of apparel resort to this solution. It is also very popular with Japanese buyers.

by Mike Bellamy in 'China Sourcing Information Center'

Can I get reimbursement for 2 shipments from 2 different Chinese factories that contained very high percentages of reject products? Both containers were fully paid for including freight and customs. Going forward, we are interested in a QC program in China to avoid these issues.

by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog'

As part of their quality control plan, importers should decide when final random inspections should take place.

As I wrote a while back (see here), each option has drawbacks. An earlier inspection is easier on the factory, and it allows for a faster shipment. BUT the inspector’s conclusions are less reliable and less comprehensive.

by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog'

Some importers often over-estimate the amount of time it will take them to manage a third-party quality control (QC) firm. So I made a list of the main “touch points” and of the required steps.

by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog'

The “AQL tables” are statistical tools at the disposal of buyers (for product inspections). They help determine two key elements:

by Mike Bellamy in 'China Sourcing Information Center'

The most important step is to make sure your supplier can actually achieve your desired level of quality in the first place.

Only through physical inspection of the factories and a review of actual production samples will you gain a true understanding of your supplier's ability. If you are unable to make the trip yourself, there are independent agents that can assist with this qualification and analysis process.

by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog'

Drawing samples is a critical step during a quality inspection. Some inspectors were never trained properly to do it, and most others take shortcuts.

I guess poor sampling is responsible for 30-40% of the complaints that inspection firms receive from their clients (when quality problems are present but weren’t noticed).

by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog'

Many companies that import from China pay for a third-party quality inspection before each shipment. At close to $300 per day of work, it quickly amounts to large sums.

Naturally, the question of how to reduce this budget is often asked by top management. They have the uncomfortable feeling of “being on crack”: they know it’s not the right thing to do, but they can’t get off the drug (or very bad things might happen).

by Mike Bellamy in 'China Sourcing Information Center'

"I'd like to know if there's any kind of agreement that I can sign with a factory that enforces them to manufacture the products according to a golden sample that was pre-approved by the buyer and who should I look for to draft this kind of agreement? My objective is that I can contact a 3rd party inspection company (AQF) to test the sample, issue a test report and after that provide some sort of agreement that states that the mass production should have the same specifications as the approved sample, otherwise the order can be rejected and compensations have to be made."

by Jacob Yount in 'JLmade Blog'

by Mike Bellamy in 'China Sourcing Information Center'

How does one actually return defective product back to China? We have a cooperative supplier, but they say even returned product (a container load) is subject to VAT and Customs duties that they cannot afford to pay for. Is there a way to avoid these fees and have the factory repair and return the goods.

by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog'

Many importers pull their hair every time they are working on a new development with a Chinese supplier. This stage can be even more confusing than mass production.

by Renaud Anjoran in 'Quality Inspection Blog'

I often have to explain what the difference between quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) is. The best is for me to write an article about it, and I’ll point people to it in the future.

by Mike Bellamy in 'China Sourcing Information Center'

Dear Sir/Madam, we are a manufacturing company in Pakistan for the last 40 years. We manufacture Home Appliances. We are already importing Air Conditioners, Gas Hobs, Gas Hoods and Washing Machines from various companies in China. For further expansion of our business we recently imported Water Dispensers and Water Filter Bottles from a company in China. It is regrettable to say that nearly 50% of the water dispensers are damaged or the gas has leaked from them and therefore not cooling properly. Moreover, the dispensers are not balanced, and the door of the dispensers are not properly fixed. The water filter bottles are also leaking too, as low quality plastic has been used. I have complained to the company and contacted them, but no progress. By the way, this was an Alibaba so-called “gold supplier.”

by David Dayton in 'Silk Road International'

Beyond doing things correctly (correct materials, correct standards, correct processing, correct completed product) when working with suppliers I really only have three other expectations. 1. We’re going to be very strict about QC and testing. 2. I need to have a schedule–I know things change, but I need to manage other venders and clients’ expectations and so a schedule is paramount. 3. Good or bad, I just want to know the truth. I want to know what the problem is and what can and can’t be done now (and what can or cannot be done with more time and/or money).