What Is Pre-Shipment Inspection?
Before your goods leave the factory, there is one final window to make sure everything is right — the product, the packaging, the documents, and the container. Once that window closes and your shipment is on the vessel, your options for fixing problems become extremely limited and extremely expensive.
Pre-Shipment Inspection Services is how we keep that window open long enough to matter.
We conduct independent, third-party pre-shipment inspections at your factory, warehouse, or consolidation facility — before goods are loaded into the container and handed over to the freight forwarder. Our inspectors physically visit the location, check goods against your purchase order and the applicable standards, and give you a clear documented report on whether your shipment is ready to go — or whether something needs to be addressed first.
This is not a desk review or a paper audit. We send qualified inspectors to the source, use appropriate inspection methods and tools, and deliver findings you can act on before your cargo departs.
As a UAF-accredited inspection body operating under ISO/IEC 17020:2012, our pre-shipment inspections are conducted with full independence. We have no financial interest in the outcome. Our report reflects what we found — not what anyone wants to hear.
Why Pre-Shipment Inspection Matters — The Risk of Skipping It
Most shipment failures are not discovered at the port of origin. They are discovered at the destination — when it is already too late to fix anything without significant cost. Here is what happens when pre-shipment inspection is skipped:
- Defective goods reach the buyer’s warehouse. The entire batch is rejected — and you are now dealing with return freight, replacement costs, and a buyer relationship under serious pressure.
- Your shipment is held at destination customs because documents are incorrect or a required certification is missing. Demurrage charges accumulate daily while you try to resolve the problem from thousands of kilometres away.
- A quantity shortfall is discovered at the buyer’s end. You have no loading photographs, no independent verification, and no evidence of what actually left your facility. The dispute becomes very difficult to resolve in your favour.
- A mislabelled product or non-compliant packaging triggers a regulatory issue at the destination port. The consignment is held, rejected, or destroyed — along with the financial and reputational cost that follows.
We believe quality assurance should be completed before goods leave your control — not after. Pre-shipment inspection is the last practical point to catch problems because the goods are still accessible, corrections are still possible, and costs are still manageable
What We Inspect — Our Scope of Work
Our pre-shipment inspection services cover every critical aspect of your shipment — from paperwork to the final container seal. Here is what we examine:
- Document Verification
- Commercial Invoice — value, HS code, Incoterms, buyer and seller details verified against purchase order
- Packing List — carton count, net and gross weight, dimensions cross-checked against physical cargo
- Certificate of Origin — correct form confirmed for destination market (GSP Form A, SAFTA, ASEAN, non-preferential)
- Letter of Credit — all terms and conditions verified; expiry date and document requirements checked
- Lab Test Reports — validity confirmed; applicable standard verified (CE, RoHS, BIS, FDA, FSSAI)
- Fumigation Certificate — ISPM-15 compliance confirmed for wooden packaging
- Export Licence or NOC — on file and valid where product category requires it
- Product Quantity and Specification Check
- Unit count and carton count reconciled against purchase order and packing list
- Physical dimensions, weight, colour, and finish verified against buyer-approved Golden Sample
- Material composition confirmed — fabric GSM, metal grade, polymer type, or equivalent
- Design, construction, and labelling verified against approved artwork and specifications
- Visual Quality and Workmanship Inspection
Using internationally recognised AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) sampling based on ISO 2859, our inspectors evaluate the full production lot for visible quality and workmanship:
- Critical defects — safety hazards, non-functional units, missing essential components — zero tolerance
- Major defects — visible surface damage, wrong size, broken parts, contamination — AQL 2.5
- Minor defects — cosmetic imperfections not affecting function or safety — AQL 4.0
Every defect is photographed, classified, and documented before a pass or fail decision is issued.
- Functionality and Performance Testing
- Power on/off and complete operational cycle verification for electrical and electronic products
- Moving parts, mechanisms, and load-bearing function checks for mechanical products
- Firmware or software version confirmation for connected devices
- Stress and durability testing as per buyer protocol or applicable product standard
- Packaging and Labelling Compliance
- Outer carton burst strength verified as adequate for container stacking load
- Inner packaging confirmed appropriate for product fragility
- ISPM-15 compliant pallets verified — stretch-wrapped and properly strapped
- Silica gel desiccants and moisture indicator cards in place for ocean freight shipments
- Country of origin permanently marked on every outer carton
- HS code and product description on carton verified against commercial invoice
- Buyer’s barcode and SKU verified with barcode scanner
- Handling symbols correct and clearly printed — Fragile, This Side Up, Keep Dry
- Expiry date, MFG date, and batch number legible on food, pharma, and cosmetic products
- Label language compliant with destination country requirements
- Regulatory and Trade Compliance
- HS code correctly classified — mis-declaration attracts penalties and blacklisting
- Invoice value accurately declared — no under or over-invoicing
- Buyer, consignee, and destination screened against OFAC, EU, and UN sanctions lists
- CE, BIS, FDA, RoHS, and REACH requirements confirmed against current lab report
- GST/IGST refund documentation filed correctly with ICEGATE
- Social compliance audit on file where buyer mandates it
- Container and Loading Inspection
- Container interior inspected for holes, rust, moisture, pest infestation, and odour before stuffing begins
- Container number verified against shipping instruction
- Loading follows approved stow plan — heavy base, fragile items on top, even weight distribution
- Total cargo weight confirmed within container maximum payload capacity
- All cartons and pallets secured against transit movement
- Container sealed immediately post-loading; seal number recorded
- Timestamped photographs taken — empty container, loaded interior, and sealed door
Our Pre-Shipment Inspection Process — Step by Step
We follow a structured, documented process for every pre-shipment inspection we conduct. Here is exactly how it works:
- You Contact Us — Share your inspection requirement: product type, factory location, cargo-ready date, purchase order details, and any specific buyer or destination requirements. We review the scope and confirm feasibility within 24 hours.
- We Assign a Qualified Inspector — A technical expert with relevant product knowledge is assigned to your inspection. The inspector reviews all reference documents, approved samples, purchase order specifications, and LC terms before visiting the site.
- On-Site Inspection Is Conducted — Our inspector visits your factory or warehouse on the agreed date. Document verification is completed first, followed by physical inspection of goods, packaging, and container loading supervision.
- Samples Are Drawn and Evaluated — We select samples using AQL sampling standards and inspect against your purchase order specifications, buyer requirements, and applicable product standards.
- Findings Are Documented — All observations are recorded with photographs, measurements, defect classifications, and non-conformance details. Nothing is left to informal notes.
- Inspection Report Is Issued — A formal, structured report is delivered within 24 hours of inspection completion. It clearly states whether the shipment passes, fails, or is placed on hold — with supporting photographic evidence and standard references.
- Certificate of Conformity Is Issued — Upon a successful inspection result, TNV Inspection Division issues your Certificate of Conformity — ready for submission to your buyer, bank, or customs authority at destination.
- Follow-Up Support — If a non-conformance is identified and your supplier takes corrective action, we can conduct a re-inspection to verify the issue has been resolved before your shipment departs.
Inspection Methods We Use
We apply the most appropriate inspection method for each product type and inspection requirement:
Method | What We Do | Typical Application |
Visual Inspection | Physical examination of product surface, condition, colour, and workmanship | All product types — first point of assessment |
AQL Sampling | Drawing representative samples per ISO 2859 / AQL protocol | All consumer goods, garments, electronics, engineering goods |
Dimensional Measurement | Checking size, weight, thickness, and geometry against specifications | Steel, pipes, textiles, components, packaging |
Functionality Testing | Testing product operation for performance against specification | Electronics, machinery, mechanical components |
Barcode Verification | Scanning and verifying buyer SKU, barcode, and product identification | All retail and consumer goods |
Document Review | Verifying commercial invoice, packing list, LC terms, certificates, and test reports | All shipments — especially LC-based transactions |
Container Inspection | Physical check of container condition, loading pattern, and seal application | All FCL and LCL container shipments |
Photographic Documentation | Timestamped photographs at every stage of inspection | All inspections — standard across every report |
Industries We Serve
Our pre-shipment inspection services are available across all major export industries. Below are the primary sectors where pre-shipment inspection is most commonly required:
Textiles & Garments — We inspect fabric quality, stitching, dimensions, colour consistency, AQL sampling, label compliance, and carton packing before export — covering woven fabrics, garments, home textiles, jute bags, and PPE.
Engineering & Machinery — We inspect mechanical components, fabricated structures, equipment, and sub-assemblies for dimensional accuracy, material compliance, surface finish, and functional performance before shipment.
Food & Agricultural Products — We inspect food grains, spices, edible oils, sugar, and processed food products for quantity, quality, packaging compliance, and documentation accuracy — verifying against FSSAI, IS, and buyer specifications.
Electronics & Electricals — We inspect consumer electronics, electrical equipment, and components for functionality, CE / BIS / RoHS compliance, safety standards, and packaging suitability.
Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals — We inspect finished pharmaceutical products, APIs, and chemical consignments for labelling accuracy, batch verification, storage compliance, and documentation requirements.
Furniture & Home Goods — We inspect workmanship, dimensional accuracy, finish quality, structural integrity, and packaging before export.
Consumer Goods & FMCG — We inspect specifications, barcodes, expiry dates, inner and outer packaging, and label compliance across all consumer product categories.
Automotive Parts — We inspect dimensional accuracy, material grade, surface finish, coating quality, and functional performance before shipment.
Standards We Inspect Against
We use the relevant national or international standard as our reference for every inspection:
Industry | Key Standards Used |
Textiles & Garments | ISO 2859 / AQL, IS 1969, IS 15138, IS 15495, IS 16186, ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 |
Engineering & Steel | IS 1786, IS 2062, IS 432, ASTM A615 |
Food & Agriculture | FSSAI Schedule IV, IS 14818, IS 4333, ISO 24333, SAL Rules |
Electronics | CE Marking Directives, RoHS 2011/65/EU, BIS Standards |
Pharmaceuticals | WHO GMP, Schedule M, FDA CFR 21, ICH Q7 |
Chemicals | IS 252, IS 517, IS 537, ASTM D-series |
Cross-Industry | ISO/IEC 17020:2012, Client QAP, Buyer Specifications |
Why Choose TNV Inspection Division for Pre-Shipment Inspection?
There are many inspection companies available. Here is why clients across 95+ countries choose TNV Inspection Division:
We Are a Type A Inspection Body — Under ISO/IEC 17020, Type A is the highest level of independence. We have no ownership, operational, or commercial ties to any manufacturer, supplier, or buyer. Our only obligation is to the truth. When we issue a report, you know it has not been influenced by anyone’s commercial interest.
We Are UAF Accredited — Our accreditation is issued by the United Accreditation Foundation (UAF), a signatory of the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement. Our inspection reports are internationally recognised and accepted by buyers, regulators, and government bodies across the world. Accreditation No. 5241222IB04, valid until December 2028.
We Are India’s Own Internationally Accredited Inspection Body — We are not a branch office of a foreign multinational. We are built in India, understand Indian manufacturing, Indian standards, and Indian supply chains — while carrying the same international accreditation standing as any global inspection company. Local knowledge. Global credibility.
We Have Been Doing This Since 2011 — With over a decade of inspection experience across 39 industries and 95+ countries, our inspectors bring deep technical knowledge to every assignment. We know the standards, the products, and the failure modes that matter in your industry.
We Deliver Reports You Can Use — Our inspection reports are structured, evidence-based, and photograph-supported. Every non-conformance is clearly described with the applicable standard reference, the observed condition, and photographic evidence. You always know exactly what we found and why it matters.
We Cover 95+ Countries — Whether your factory is in India, your consolidation point is in Dubai, or your buyer requires inspection at any point in the supply chain — we have the reach to inspect at source. You never have to accept an unverified shipment just because the factory is far away.
Ready to Verify Your Shipment Before It Leaves?
Do not wait for a rejected shipment or a frozen payment to find out something was wrong with your goods. We will inspect your shipment at the source — independently, accurately, and on time.
Contact us today to request a pre-shipment inspection. Tell us your product type, factory location, and cargo-ready date — and we will handle the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
Pre-shipment inspection is an independent quality evaluation of export goods conducted before loading — verifying product quality, document accuracy, packaging compliance, and regulatory requirements. It prevents shipment rejections, payment disputes, and customs holds at the destination port.
PSI should be scheduled when 80 to 100 percent of production is complete but before goods are loaded into containers. Allow at least 5 to 7 working days before your cargo-ready date so there is time to address any findings before departure.
In many importing countries — particularly across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia — PSI is a legal customs requirement. Even where not legally mandated, most professional buyers and all LC-based transactions require a valid inspection certificate before payment is released.
A standard pre-shipment inspection typically takes one to two working days depending on product category, lot size, and inspection scope. Our team advises on expected duration at the time of booking.
We issue a Non-Conformance Report clearly identifying what failed, against which specification, and with supporting photographic evidence. Your supplier addresses the issues, and we conduct a re-inspection to confirm everything has been corrected before clearance is issued.
Typically the exporter pays as part of their export obligations. In some contracts, the buyer arranges and pays for inspection through their sourcing agent. Both arrangements are common depending on the purchase contract terms.
A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is an official document from TNV Inspection Division confirming that inspected goods meet the required standards and buyer specifications. It is accepted by buyers, banks, and customs authorities in key import markets worldwide and is the primary document required for LC payment release.
TNV Inspection Division delivers your full inspection report and Certificate of Conformity within 24 hours of inspection completion — so your shipment schedule is never held up by the reporting process.