# Quality Control ## Catch defects before they _reach your customers._ Professional on-site QC inspections at your supplier's factory. We verify quality, quantities, and compliance — and deliver an official report within 1 business day. [Book an inspection](https://services.portless.com/qc-inspection) [See how it works →](https://services.portless.com/quality-control#how-it-works) **$175–$200** Per man-day, all-in **1 day** Report turnaround No minimum Book when you need it **1 day** Booking response time ## What is Quality Control? ### A professional checkpoint between your factory and your customers. Quality Control (QC) is an independent, on-site inspection at your supplier's factory — performed by a trained third-party inspector, not the factory itself. The inspector verifies that what's being produced actually matches what you ordered, and documents everything in a formal report. ### Verification, not trust The factory says the order is ready and correct. QC is how you verify that independently — before paying the final balance or loading a container. ### Statistical sampling (AQL) Inspectors use Acceptance Quality Limit (AQL) standards — a globally accepted sampling methodology that catches defects across random units, not just the pretty ones the factory shows you. ### A paper trail that protects you The inspection report is formal documentation. If problems surface later, you have evidence of what was — or wasn't — present at shipment, and leverage in any supplier dispute. ## Why do QC ### The cost of skipping QC is always higher than doing it. One defective shipment can erase the margin on 20 good ones. QC is one of the cheapest forms of insurance in the entire supply chain — and the ROI shows up on your P&L within a single order. ### Cut returns & refund rates Defects caught at the factory cost pennies to fix. Defects caught by a customer cost you the return shipping, the refund, the replacement, and the review. Every % of returns you prevent drops straight to margin. ### Avoid shipping rejected goods Customs can hold shipments for labeling, certification, or safety issues. QC verifies compliance before the container leaves the port — not after. ### Protect your brand reputation On social media, one viral unboxing of a defective product can cost more in lost sales than a year of QC fees. Catching it upstream keeps your brand impression sharp. ### Negotiate from a position of evidence A formal inspection report gives you leverage to demand rework, credits, or replacements before wire transferring the balance. Without it, you're arguing in the dark. ### Build supplier accountability Factories that know you inspect produce consistently better work. QC is as much a behavioral signal as it is a checkpoint — and it compounds across reorders. ### Catch silent spec drift Suppliers sometimes substitute materials, thin out finishes, or tweak dimensions between batches to save cost. Regular inspections catch drift before it erodes your product. ## Why Portless QC ### Don't ship blind. Inspect first. A single defective shipment can cost you thousands in returns, refunds, and lost customer trust. On-site inspections catch issues at the factory — before they become your problem. ### Prevent costly returns Identify defects, wrong quantities, and packaging issues before goods leave the factory. Fix problems where they're cheapest to fix. ### Protect your brand Every shipment that reaches a customer is a brand impression. QC inspections ensure your product meets the standard your customers expect. ### Full transparency, fast Official inspection report delivered within 1 business day. No direct factory communication from the inspector — findings go exclusively to you. ## What's included ### What you get in every inspection. Every booking includes a professional inspector, a full quality check, and a detailed report. - **On-site QC inspector** Professional inspector deployed to your supplier's factory - **Quantity verification** Confirm units match your PO before shipment - **Defect sampling** Statistical sampling per AQL standards to catch defects early - **Product conformity check** Verify products match your specifications and approved samples - **Measurement checks** Dimensional verification against your product specs - **Official inspection report** Detailed PDF report delivered within 1 business day ## Inspection types ### Inspection types we offer. - **Pre-shipment inspection** Final check before goods leave the factory. The most common inspection type. - **Inline / during-production** Mid-production check to catch issues early, before the full order is complete. - **Full inspection (100% QC)** Every single unit checked. Best for high-value or high-risk orders. - **Truck loading supervision** Verify correct goods are loaded and properly secured for transport. - **Inventory count or audit** Physical count and condition check of stock at the factory or warehouse. ## How it works ### From booking to report in days. 1. **Submit your booking** Day 0 Fill out the inspection request form with factory details, product info, and your preferred date. 2. **We review and confirm** Day 1–2 Our team reviews your booking, confirms details, coordinates with the inspection agency, and sends you a quote. 3. **You approve the quote** Day 3–5 Review the quote and confirm. We schedule the inspection and send you a confirmation with the date and inspector details. 4. **Inspection day** Scheduled date A professional inspector visits the factory and conducts the full quality check on your behalf. 5. **Report delivered** +1 business day You receive the official inspection report in PDF within 1 business day of the inspection. ## Pricing ### Simple, pay-as-you-go pricing. No subscriptions. No minimum commitment. Book when you need it. - **China** $175/man-day No booking fee · all-in pricing - Professional on-site QC inspector - Full inspection report within 1 business day - Pre-shipment, inline, full QC, loading supervision - No minimum commitment - **Vietnam** $200/man-day No booking fee · all-in pricing - Professional on-site QC inspector - Full inspection report within 1 business day - Pre-shipment, inline, full QC, loading supervision - No minimum commitment ## SLA ### Service timelines. - Booking review Within 1 business day of submission - Quote sent Within 1 business day of review - Inspection scheduled Subject to availability; targeting 2 days after approval - Report delivered Within 1 business day of inspection ### Important note The inspector will not communicate inspection results or issue shipping approvals directly to the factory. All findings are reported exclusively to you through the official report. This ensures you maintain full control over your supply chain decisions. ## FAQ ### When (and why) to use each inspection type. The right inspection type depends on where your order is in the production cycle and how much risk you're carrying. Here's the field-tested guidance. - **Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI)**: Use PSI when 80–100% of the order is produced and packed. It catches everything before the container leaves the factory. - **Inline / During-Production Inspection**: Use inline when production is 20–60% complete to catch systemic issues early. - **Full Inspection (100% QC)**: Use Full Inspection for high-value or safety-critical products or when previous PSI failed. - **Truck Loading Supervision**: Use it for high-value containers to verify the right cartons go on the right truck. - **Inventory Count or Audit**: Use this for independent verification of stock. ### What is AQL and why do inspectors use it?+ AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit) is the global standard for statistical sampling, allowing the inspector to accept or reject based on defects observed. ### What's the difference between Critical, Major, and Minor defects?+ Critical defects are safety-related (zero tolerance), major defects impact customer returns, and minor defects are cosmetic. ### How fast can you schedule an inspection?+ Same-week scheduling is common in China; in Vietnam, it may take a few extra days. ### What if the factory isn't ready when the inspector arrives?+ If the goods aren't ready, a reschedule or full charge may apply as inspectors are already deployed. ### Will the inspector tell the factory whether the inspection passed?+ No, all findings go exclusively to you, ensuring independent quality control. ### China vs Vietnam pricing — why the difference?+ Vietnam is slightly higher due to various logistical factors. ## Ready to get started? ### Stop shipping without inspecting. Book your first QC inspection today. Our team will review your request within 1 business day. [Book an inspection→](https://services.portless.com/qc-inspection) From **$175/man-day**, all-in. No commitment required.