Your Last Line of Defense
Pre-Shipment Inspection Services (PSI) — India
The final quality check before goods leave India. AQL 2.5 random sampling, defect classification, measurement and packing verification — delivered as a 24-hour photo report under ISO 17020 inspection-body principles. The PSI layer Walmart, Target, Tesco and major EU/AU buyers rely on for India shipments.
8,000+
PSI Completed
15+
Cities Covered
24hr
Report Delivery
AQL 2.5
Standard Level
What We Check During PSI
A thorough final quality gate before your goods ship.
Quantity Verification
Count total production against PO. Verify carton count, inner packs, and unit quantities match the packing list.
AQL Sampling & Defect Check
Random sampling per AQL 2.5 (major) / 4.0 (minor). Classify defects as critical, major, or minor with photo evidence.
Packing & Labelling
Verify barcodes, care labels, hang tags, shipping marks, carton markings, and inner/outer packing per buyer specs.
Visual & Workmanship
Check appearance, finish, stitching, colour, print quality, surface defects, and overall workmanship.
Measurement & Fit
Measure critical dimensions against spec sheet. For garments: size grading across S/M/L/XL with tolerance check.
Function & Safety Tests
On-site functional checks (zippers, buttons, closures). Basic safety tests. Coordinate lab testing if required.
Why Pre-Shipment Inspection Matters
Catch defects before shipping — avoid costly returns and claims
Verify quantity matches your purchase order exactly
Ensure packing protects goods during transit
Confirm labelling meets import country regulations
Protect your brand reputation with customers
Build documented quality history with each supplier
Negotiate from strength when issues are found
Comply with import regulations and buyer requirements
Transparent Pricing
Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) Pricing in India
Standard PSI rates in India. Most pre-shipment inspections are completed in a single man-day, including report delivery within 24 hours.
| Service | Man-Days | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)Most popular | 1 man-day | $220 – $320 |
| During Production Inspection (DUPRO) | 1 man-day | $220 – $320 |
| Pre-Production Inspection (PPI) | 1 man-day | $200 – $300 |
| Container Loading Supervision (CLS) | 1 man-day | $220 – $320 |
| Initial Production Check (IPC) | 1 man-day | $220 – $320 |
| Factory / Capability Audit | 1 man-day | $350 – $550 |
| Social Compliance Audit (SEDEX/BSCI) | 1–2 man-days | $650 – $1,200 |
| Production Monitoring (full-time) | Per day rate | $180 – $260/day |
All inspections include a photo-documented PDF report within 24 hours. Travel surcharges may apply for factories outside major hubs (Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Tirupur, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Moradabad, Panipat, Jodhpur, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad).
SWI vs Other Inspection Companies
Why Buyers Choose Small World India
How our integrated sourcing-and-inspection model compares to standalone inspection agencies and factory in-house QC.
| Criteria | Small World India | Standalone Agency | Factory In-House QC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence from factory | 100% independent | Independent | Conflict of interest |
| Cost per inspection | $220–320 (bundled) | $300–450 | Free but biased |
| Coverage in India | 15+ cities, 24–48hr | Major cities only | Single factory |
| Years of India expertise | 30+ years | 10–20 years | Variable |
| Free re-inspection if failed | Yes | Charged extra | N/A |
| Combined sourcing + QC team | Single point of contact | Inspection only | Production only |
| Live video remote inspection | Available | Limited | Rare |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is pre-shipment inspection (PSI)?
Pre-shipment inspection is a final quality check conducted when 100% of production is complete and at least 80% is packed. It verifies product quality, quantity, packing, and labelling before goods are shipped.
When should I schedule a pre-shipment inspection?
Schedule when the factory confirms 100% production completion and 80%+ packing. Typically 3–7 days before the planned shipping date. Allow time for re-inspection if the first inspection fails.
What AQL level is used for pre-shipment inspection?
Standard AQL levels: Critical defects = 0 (zero tolerance), Major defects = 2.5, Minor defects = 4.0. These can be adjusted based on product type and buyer requirements.
How long does a pre-shipment inspection take?
Typically 1 full day (8 hours) per inspection. Large orders or multi-product inspections may require 2+ days. Report is delivered within 24 hours.
What happens if my goods fail the inspection?
We issue a fail report with detailed defect photos and classification. The factory must sort, repair, or replace defective units. We then schedule a re-inspection to verify corrective action.
Can you do pre-shipment inspection for textiles?
Yes. Textile PSI includes fabric quality (4-point system), garment measurements, stitching quality, colour fastness, labelling compliance, and AQL-based defect sampling.
How do your PSI rates compare to QIMA, SGS, Bureau Veritas and Intertek in India?
Global firms (QIMA, SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, TUV) charge $300–$450 per man-day for PSI in India with 5–7 day lead times. Our India-specialist PSI is $220–$280 per man-day with 24-hour reports and 24–48 hour scheduling — saving 30–40% on identical ISO 2859-1 (AQL) inspection scope.
Is your PSI report accepted by Walmart, Target, Tesco and other major retailers?
Yes. Our PSI reports follow ISO 2859-1 (AQL), ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 and ISO 17020 inspection-body principles — the same standards used by Walmart, Target, Costco, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Kohl's, Coles, Woolworths and major European retailers. Reports are also accepted by Letter-of-Credit banks and freight forwarders for shipment release.
Are you a QIMA or SGS alternative for pre-shipment inspection in India?
Yes. We're widely used as a QIMA / SGS alternative specifically for India PSI. Differences: (1) India-only focus versus pan-Asia generalists; (2) permanent QC team in Tirupur, Moradabad, Jaipur, Panipat, Jodhpur, Delhi NCR, Ludhiana — not a travelling pool; (3) direct senior-inspector contact, no call-centre. See /qima-alternative-india and /sgs-alternative-india for detailed comparisons.
Related Resources
Explore our guides and articles to help you source successfully from India.
ISO 2859-1 / ANSI ASQ Z1.4
AQL Sample Size Table — General Inspection Level II
Every pre-shipment inspection we conduct in India follows ISO 2859-1 (equivalent to ANSI/ASQ Z1.4) — the same statistical sampling standard used by Walmart, Target, Costco, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Kohl's, M&S, Coles and Woolworths. Below is the sample-size mapping at General Inspection Level II, AQL 2.5 for Major and AQL 4.0 for Minor defects.
| Lot Size (units) | Code Letter | Sample Size | Major Accept (AQL 2.5) | Minor Accept (AQL 4.0) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 – 90 | F | 20 | 1 / 2 | 2 / 3 |
| 91 – 150 | G | 32 | 2 / 3 | 3 / 4 |
| 151 – 280 | H | 50 | 3 / 4 | 5 / 6 |
| 281 – 500 | J | 80 | 5 / 6 | 7 / 8 |
| 501 – 1,200 | K | 125 | 7 / 8 | 10 / 11 |
| 1,201 – 3,200 | L | 200 | 10 / 11 | 14 / 15 |
| 3,201 – 10,000 | M | 315 | 14 / 15 | 21 / 22 |
| 10,001 – 35,000 | N | 500 | 21 / 22 | 21 / 22 |
Format Accept / Reject. Tighter AQL (1.5) is offered for safety-critical or high-value SKUs; relaxed AQL (6.5) for promotional goods. Specify your AQL plan when booking.
Defect Classification — Critical, Major & Minor
Our inspectors classify every defect into three categories aligned with ASTM and retailer QA manuals. The classification drives the pass/fail decision against your AQL plan.
Critical
Defects that could cause injury, regulatory non-compliance or product recall (e.g. exposed sharp edges, choking hazards, electrical shorts, banned chemicals).
AQL 0 — zero tolerance
Major
Defects that materially reduce usability or saleability (e.g. holes, broken stitches, wrong colour, missing parts, label errors, mis-measurements outside tolerance).
AQL 2.5 (default)
Minor
Cosmetic flaws unlikely to affect end use (e.g. light yarn slubs, faint shade variation, minor packaging scuffs, slight asymmetry within tolerance).
AQL 4.0 (default)
Reports Accepted Globally
Compliant with Major Retailer & Regulatory Standards
Our inspection reports are accepted by Letter-of-Credit banks, freight forwarders and major Western retailers — Walmart, Target, Costco, Kohl's, Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S, Coles and Woolworths. We follow ISO 17020 inspection-body principles and align with all major international compliance frameworks.
- ISO 2859-1 / ANSI ASQ Z1.4 — statistical AQL sampling
- ISO 17020 — inspection body operations
- CPSC, CPSIA & ASTM F963 — US safety (toys, children's products)
- CE, UKCA, REACH & RoHS — EU/UK conformity
- AS/NZS, JIS — Australia, New Zealand & Japan standards
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 — textiles & home textile chemistry
- BSCI / SEDEX / SA8000 — social compliance audits
- BIS IS 9873, EN 71, ASTM F963 — toy safety
Download a Sample Inspection Report
See exactly what you receive after every inspection: 50–200 photos, AQL findings table, measurement audit, defect log, packing & carton-marking checks and a clear pass/fail recommendation — typically delivered within 24 hours of factory exit.
Download Sample PDF ReportISO 17020
15+ Cities
Since 1994
When Should You Inspect? — Production Timeline
The right inspection at the right stage prevents 90% of quality issues from reaching your warehouse. Most importers combine two or more checkpoints below.
Pre-Production Inspection (PPI)
Before bulk production begins
Verify raw materials, components, fabric lot, accessories and approved samples against the tech pack. Confirms the factory is set up to produce to spec.
During Production Inspection (DUPRO)
When 20-40% of units are completed and packed
Catch systemic defects early — measurements drifting, shade mismatches, stitching issues. Cheaper to fix at this stage than after 100% production.
Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI / FRI)
When ≥80% packed and 100% produced
AQL random sampling, full measurement audit, function tests, packing & labelling, barcode scan and carton drop test. The final pass/fail before goods leave India.
Container Loading Supervision (CLS)
On the day of stuffing at factory or CFS
Verify quantity, carton condition, container cleanliness, loading pattern, seal number and shipping marks. Photo-documented for insurance and L/C.
Transparent Inspection Pricing in India
Most inspections in India cost USD 200–280 per man-day with our team — typically 30–40% less than QIMA, SGS or Bureau Veritas for equivalent ISO 2859-1 AQL inspections. A standard Pre-Shipment Inspection of one product at one factory takes 1 man-day. Factory audits take 1–2 man-days. Multi-product or multi-factory shipments are quoted on volume.
Inspection & Audit Hub
Complete Quality Inspection Services in India
Independent third-party inspections and factory audits across 15+ Indian manufacturing hubs — supporting buyers in the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada and UAE since 1994.
Third Party Inspection
Independent AQL-based product inspections
Quality Control Company
End-to-end QC programmes & supervision
Inspection Company India
Full-service inspection partner since 1994
Product Inspection Services
Category-specific quality checks
Factory Audit
On-site capability & compliance audits
During-Production Inspection (DUPRO)
AQL 2.5 mid-run quality check at 20–80%
Pre-Production Inspection (PPI)
Raw material, trims & golden sample verification
Initial Production Check (IPC)
First-article inspection at 10–15% completion
Container Loading Supervision
Carton count + ISO 17712 seal at loading
AQL Inspection Services
ISO 2859-1 / ANSI Z1.4 sampling inspections
ISO 17020 Inspection Body
Type A independent inspection methodology
Amazon FBA Inspection
FNSKU, polybag, carton & AQL for FBA sellers
QC Inspection Cost (2026)
Per-man-day pricing benchmarks vs QIMA/SGS/BV
Supplier Audit
Verify suppliers before placing orders
Garment Inspection
Apparel QC in Tirupur, Ludhiana, Delhi NCR
Furniture Inspection
Wood, metal & upholstery QC across India
Electronics Inspection
Mobile, EMS, battery & LED QC in India
Leather Inspection
Footwear, bags & saddlery — Chrome VI, SATRA, LWG
Home Textile Inspection
Towels, bed linen, rugs — OEKO-TEX & ISO 105
Toy Inspection
EN 71, ASTM F963, CPSIA & BIS IS 9873
Ceramics Inspection
Morbi tiles, tableware, sanitaryware — ISO 10545
Jewellery Inspection
Gold, silver, diamonds — BIS HUID & XRF
Auto Components Inspection
IATF 16949, PPAP, dimensional CMM
Cosmetics Inspection
EU CPNP, US MoCRA, ISO 22716 GMP
Inspection — Tirupur
Knitwear & T-shirt QC specialists
Inspection — Moradabad
Brass, metal & home-décor QC
Inspection — Delhi NCR
Garments, leather & fashion QC
Inspection — Jaipur
Block-print, quilts & jewellery QC
Inspection — Panipat
Towels, blankets & home textile QC
Inspection — Jodhpur
Wooden furniture & moisture QC
Inspection — Ludhiana
Sweaters, bicycles & hand tools QC
Inspection — Mumbai
Chemical, pharma & JNPT loading QC
Inspection — Chennai
Leather, auto & Karur textile QC
Inspection — Kolkata
Jute, leather & tea QC
Inspection — Bengaluru
EMS, PCBA & aerospace QC
Inspection — Ahmedabad
Denim, chemical & Morbi ceramic QC
QIMA Alternative
30–40% lower cost, same AQL standards
SGS Alternative
India-specialist QC, 24-hr reports
Bureau Veritas Alternative
Same ISO 2859-1, 30–40% lower cost
Intertek Alternative
Same AQL methodology, 25–35% lower cost