For Amazon FBA sellers sourcing products from China, a pre-shipment inspection is one of the most practical ways to reduce shipment risk before goods leave the factory. Once products are loaded, exported and delivered to an Amazon fulfillment center, fixing quality issues becomes slower, more expensive and sometimes impossible.
This checklist explains what overseas ecommerce sellers should confirm before approving shipment, paying the final balance or arranging freight pickup.
What Is a Pre-Shipment Inspection?
A pre-shipment inspection, often called PSI, is a final product inspection performed when production is finished and most goods are packed. For Amazon FBA orders, the inspection normally checks product quality, quantity, packaging, carton labels, barcode readability and shipment readiness.
The purpose is simple: help the buyer decide whether to approve shipment, request rework, arrange re-inspection or hold goods at the factory.
When Should Amazon Sellers Arrange PSI?
For most orders, PSI should be arranged when production is 100% complete and at least 80% of the goods are packed. This timing gives the inspector enough finished units to select samples and also allows the seller to review packaging, carton marks and FBA-related details before shipment.
If the order includes strict packaging rules, customized labels, fragile products or seasonal delivery pressure, sellers should book the inspection earlier so the factory has enough time to correct issues.
Pre-Shipment Inspection Checklist
1. Order Quantity and Assortment
The inspector should verify finished quantity, packed quantity, SKU assortment, color breakdown, size ratio and carton count. Quantity mismatch is a common issue for ecommerce sellers because it can affect Amazon shipment plans, inventory forecasting and cash flow.
2. Workmanship and Appearance
Products are checked for visible defects such as scratches, stains, loose parts, poor finishing, deformation, wrong color, incorrect logo position or inconsistent assembly. Defects are normally classified as critical, major or minor according to agreed AQL standards.
3. Function and Performance
Functional checks depend on the product type. They may include basic operation, measurement, fitting test, button test, charging test, zipper test, load test, size check, weight check or product-specific use tests. The goal is to confirm that the product works as expected before shipment.
4. Packaging and Retail Presentation
Packaging is important for Amazon sellers because poor packaging can lead to damage, customer complaints or negative reviews. The inspection should check retail box condition, polybag quality, warning labels, user manual, accessories, insert cards and master carton strength.
5. Amazon FBA Label and Carton Requirements
For FBA shipments, labels must be clear, scannable and placed correctly. The inspector should check FNSKU labels, carton labels, barcode readability, country of origin marking, suffocation warning, polybag opening size, carton weight and carton dimensions when required.
6. Shipment Readiness
Before goods leave the factory, the inspector should confirm carton sealing, packing method, shipping marks, carton count, pallet requirements and whether the goods are ready for pickup by the freight forwarder.
How AQL Supports the Inspection Decision
AQL, or Acceptable Quality Limit, is a sampling method used to decide how many units should be inspected and how many defects can be accepted before a batch fails inspection. Many Amazon sellers use AQL 2.5 for major defects and AQL 4.0 for minor defects, but the right level depends on product risk and buyer requirements.
QIS provides an AQL sampling guide and calculator to help sellers understand sample size, accept point and reject point before booking an inspection.
What Should Be Included in the Inspection Report?
A useful PSI report should include product photos, packaging photos, carton photos, defect photos, quantity summary, measurement results, function test results, AQL result, inspection conclusion and inspector comments. For Amazon FBA sellers, label and packaging evidence is especially important.
Common Problems Found Before Shipment
- Wrong FNSKU label or unreadable barcode
- Incorrect carton quantity or SKU mix
- Defective workmanship or cosmetic defects
- Weak retail packaging or damaged cartons
- Missing accessories, manuals or warning labels
- Product size, color or logo differs from approved sample
Why QIS Focuses on Amazon FBA Sellers
Qualityloyal Inspection Services supports overseas ecommerce sellers who buy from Chinese suppliers and ship goods to Amazon FBA, third-party warehouses or freight forwarders. Our inspection process focuses on practical shipment decisions, not just general factory observations.
If you need inspection before shipment, you can review our China inspection services or submit a request through the QIS booking page.
FAQ
Is pre-shipment inspection required for every Amazon FBA order?
It is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended for new suppliers, new products, large orders, customized products and shipments with strict FBA packaging requirements.
Can PSI replace factory audit?
No. A factory audit evaluates supplier capability and risk before or during cooperation. PSI checks finished goods before shipment. Many buyers use both for better control.
What happens if the inspection fails?
The buyer can request rework, ask the factory to sort defective units, arrange re-inspection or delay shipment until major issues are corrected.
How fast can QIS provide the report?
For most standard inspections, QIS aims to provide a clear photo-based inspection report within 24 hours after inspection completion.