How to Book a Pre-Shipment Inspection in China: Step-by-Step Guide for Importers

Published: 2026-05-26 · Dony

Booking a pre-shipment inspection in China is straightforward, but doing it at the right time and with the right information saves you from delays and failed inspections. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process—from when to book to what happens after the inspector visits the factory.

Step 1: When to book PSI in China

Book your inspection when production is at least 80% complete and 100% packed for the SKUs you plan to ship. For most FBA orders, this means booking 7–10 days before your cargo readiness date. CloudSpects can dispatch an inspector within 24–48 hours of booking.

Step 2: What information to send

When you request a PSI in China, have these ready:

  • Purchase order number and line items
  • Packing list with carton counts per SKU
  • Approved sample photos or golden samples
  • Critical specifications (dimensions, weight, color, material)
  • Special test requirements (battery, drop, barcode scan)
  • Factory address and contact person

Step 3: What the inspector checks

A standard pre-shipment inspection in China covers:

  • Quantity — Count against PO and packing list
  • Workmanship — Visual and functional check against approved sample
  • Packaging — Inner box, master carton, and polybag quality
  • Labels — FNSKU barcode scan, country of origin, suffocation warnings
  • Measurement — Product and carton dimensions against spec
  • AQL sampling — ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 sampling with clear pass/fail criteria

Step 4: What you receive

Within 24 hours of the inspection, CloudSpects delivers an English report including:

  • Summary page with pass/fail/pending rework recommendation
  • AQL sampling results with defect count by category
  • Photos of each inspected unit and defect
  • Packaging and label verification results
  • Measurement records

Step 5: After the inspection

If the inspection passes, release final payment and proceed with shipping. If it fails, the report includes a clear rework recommendation. CloudSpects can schedule a re-inspection at a reduced rate.

Starting at $169 per man-day. Book your PSI China inspection online.

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