Pre-Shipment Inspection Procedure – Essential Steps Explained

A pre-shipment inspection procedure is exactly what its name is. It is a crucial quality control step that is conducted before the shipment is packed and shipped off to its destination. PSI inspection is a quality control step in the manufacturing and supply chain process that helps ensure that products meet the specified quality and safety standards.

Here are the essential steps explained for a pre-shipment inspection procedure:

1. Define Inspection Criteria and Standards:

Before a shipment or a container is shipped off to its destination, which is the customer or the distributor, there must be specific criteria and standards set. These can be set by reviewing the product specifications and quality standards set by the client so that it helps establish clear inspection criteria. Other than the quality standards in the product specifications, this information can even be provided by the customer in detail in the purchase order.

2. Select and Train Inspectors:

Pre-shipment inspection is not just conducted by anyone. It is conducted by a specific inspector who is familiar with the product type and its relevant quality standards. These inspectors are provided with training with specific criteria So that it is easy for them to understand the nuances of inspection. Therefore, you must choose specific, qualified, and experienced inspectors who are familiar with how the pre-shipment inspection procedure works.

3. Inspection Scheduling and Planning:

It is essential that the inspection timing and date are coordinated with the manufacturer so that it inclines with the production schedule and the shipping date. It helps save time and unnecessary trouble in case the shipping lot is not ready yet, or the production schedule is delayed. 

Inspection cannot just be conducted by calling an inspector, but it includes the amalgamation of a lot of factors like access to the manufacturing facility, particular equipment required, and even the transportation for the inspection team is a necessary factor. Hence, all of the logistics must be taken care of before setting an inspection date and time.

4. Sampling and Sample Selection:

To conduct the inspection procedure, you can use a variety of inspection procedures and tests. Some of them include random sampling, which is a randomized selection of samples from different lots. The sample size is determined based on a lot of factors, like the order quantity, the product complexity, and the quality requirements.

5. On-Site Inspection:

This is the most important part of the whole procedure for the visual inspection, which includes a procedure wherein all the products are examined visually to identify if there are any defects or deviations from the criteria that are set. A variety of factors are checked, like any cosmetic defects, dimensions, labeling, or packaging defects. 

You can even conduct functional testing wherein a performance check of the product that is operated is conducted. For example, you can test electrical appliances and even machinery or electronic devices to ensure that the quality is not compromised.

You can get psi inspection services to help ensure that the specific standards of safety and regulatory compliance are met. If a product has a relevant Component or something that needs to have a warning label and if any such label is not on the packaging. Then, this inspection helps in compliance with any such labeling incompetencies.

6. Document and Record Findings:

Based on the pre-inspection shipment, which is conducted, a detailed inspection report is written. It includes all the findings relating to the defects, deviation, and any noncompliance issues. In case any defects are observed, then relevant photographs, measurements, and descriptions are included in the report.

7. Non-Conformance Management:

When relevant defects and deviations are recorded, steps should be taken to classify them based on the severity and the impact that it has on the product quality. Based on the report, decide whether a re-inspection is needed after the corrective action is conducted on the product or if the deviation is not that severe and the product can meet the criteria.

8. Reporting and Communication:

The report that is made based on the inspection is essential to be shared with the manufacturer as well as the client so that both parties are informed, and any steps regarding the nonconformities and deviations can be taken.

9. Release or Hold Decision:

If the client and the manufacturer both agree that the product meets the specified criteria, then you can forward them so that they can become a part of the shipment. In the other case, where the product cannot meet the specified criteria and standards that are set forth, the significant defects and non-conformities after identification need to be remediated. Hence, this shipment is kept on hold until the issues regarding the product and its quality are resolved. A re-inspection is conducted to confirm if it meets the criteria.