How to Do Quality Control in India: AQL Inspection Guide (2026)
TL;DR: Quality control in India follows the AQL 2.5 ISO 2859-1 sampling standard with four inspection stages: factory audit, during-production inspection (DUPRO), pre-shipment inspection (PSI), and container loading check (CLC). Most international buyers outsource QC to a third-party inspection company in India to ensure independence from the factory.
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How does quality control work for orders sourced from India?
Answer: Quality control for Indian export orders runs in four stages: an initial factory audit before placing the PO, during-production inspection (DUPRO) when 30–50% of goods are complete, pre-shipment inspection (PSI) when 100% of goods are packed, and an optional container loading check (CLC) at the port. Each stage uses AQL 2.5 sampling per ISO 2859-1.
Quality control for Indian export orders runs in four stages: an initial factory audit before placing the PO, during-production inspection (DUPRO) when 30–50% of goods are complete, pre-shipment inspection (PSI) when 100% of goods are packed, and an optional container loading check (CLC) at the port. Each stage uses AQL 2.5 sampling per ISO 2859-1.
Factory audit (pre-PO): capacity, machinery, compliance
DUPRO (30–50% production complete): early defect detection
Pre-shipment inspection (100% packed): AQL 2.5 sampling
Container loading check (at port): quantity and stowage
Lab testing (in parallel): SGS, BV, Intertek, TÜV
What is AQL 2.5 inspection and why does it matter?
Answer: AQL 2.5 (Acceptable Quality Limit 2.5) is the ISO 2859-1 statistical sampling standard for export inspections. The inspector pulls a randomised sample (typically 80–500 units depending on lot size), classifies defects as critical, major or minor, and accepts or rejects the lot based on the AQL 2.5 threshold.
AQL 2.5 (Acceptable Quality Limit 2.5) is the ISO 2859-1 statistical sampling standard for export inspections. The inspector pulls a randomised sample (typically 80–500 units depending on lot size), classifies defects as critical, major or minor, and accepts or rejects the lot based on the AQL 2.5 threshold. It is the global benchmark for consumer goods QC.
How much does third-party inspection in India cost?
Answer: Third-party inspection in India costs $250–$350 per inspector per man-day in 2026. A typical 20-foot container or 5,000-unit pre-shipment inspection takes one man-day.
Third-party inspection in India costs $250–$350 per inspector per man-day in 2026. A typical 20-foot container or 5,000-unit pre-shipment inspection takes one man-day. Lab testing (REACH, OEKO-TEX, FDA, CPSC) adds $300–$1,500 per SKU depending on test scope.
How do I choose a QC inspection partner in India?
Answer: Vet QC partners on five criteria: (1) ISO 17020 accreditation, (2) AQL 2.5 ISO 2859-1 methodology, (3) inspector network coverage of your factory's manufacturing cluster, (4) 24-hour reporting with photo and video evidence, (5) independence from the factory (no commission relationships).
Vet QC partners on five criteria: (1) ISO 17020 accreditation, (2) AQL 2.5 ISO 2859-1 methodology, (3) inspector network coverage of your factory's manufacturing cluster, (4) 24-hour reporting with photo and video evidence, (5) independence from the factory (no commission relationships).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does an AQL 2.5 inspection in India include?
An AQL 2.5 pre-shipment inspection in India includes randomised sample selection, on-site visual quality check, dimensional and functional testing, packaging and labelling verification, quantity confirmation, and a 24-hour report with photos, video, defect counts and accept/reject recommendation per ISO 2859-1 standard.
Who can do third-party inspection in India?
Major third-party inspection companies in India include SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, TÜV, AsiaInspection (QIMA), and specialised sourcing-agent QC teams like Small World India. ISO 17020 accreditation is the minimum credential to look for.
When should I do quality inspection during production?
Run inspections at three points: factory audit before signing the PO, DUPRO when 30–50% of production is complete (catches systemic defects early), and pre-shipment inspection when 100% of goods are packed and ready to ship. This three-stage approach catches 95%+ of quality issues before the container leaves India.
How do I get started with Small World India?
Send us your product specs or reference images via the contact form. Within 48 hours we shortlist 3 vetted factories with FOB pricing, MOQ, and lead times — at no cost.
What is the typical MOQ for sourcing from India?
MOQs range from 100 units (jewelry, handicrafts) to 5,000+ units (textiles, packaging). We negotiate flexible MOQs for first orders and combine SKUs across factories when needed.
How does Small World India ensure product quality?
Every order includes factory audit, mid-production inspection, and pre-shipment AQL 2.5 inspection by our in-house QC team. You receive photos, videos, and a full inspection report before shipment leaves the port.
Which countries do you ship to?
We export to 50+ countries with primary buyer concentration in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, UAE, and Japan. We handle FOB, CIF, and DDP terms.
What are your fees?
Standard sourcing commission is 5–10% of FOB value, billed only after you confirm a PO. Inspections and freight are billed at cost with no markup.
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