Why Is It Important To Work with a Third Party Inspection
Company, When Buying Products from China?
What is the biggest fear as an importer? Do you meet specifications when you receive your product? Are you worried that factory workers have not performed the necessary tests to ensure that your products comply with your market regulations? Or are you especially concerned about late delivery that will annoy your customers? Product inspections help importers avoid these and many other problems. They also provide the transparency necessary to anticipate potential delays in production or transportation. By visiting the factory to check the product prior to shipment,the likelihood of met expectations is increased.
What is Third Party Inspection?
In fact, there are three types of routine inspections. To understand why it is called third party,
you need to understand first two parties inspection.
Here is the description of those inspections.
- First Party Inspection is performed by the manufacturer itself.
- Second party inspections are performed by the buyer or buyer's internal quality team.
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Third-party inspections (TPIs) are typically performed by a qualified,
impartial and independent inspection company hired by the buyer to ensure that all products meet the required quality standards
and that the manufacturing processes are in agreement with intercontinental standards in terms of quality.
Quality Management System (ISO 9001), Social Security Acceptance Practices (SA 8000) and Environmental Management (ISO 14000)
One of the major advantages of third party inspections, in contrast to what manufacturers or buyers do,
is that the TPI practitioner is impartial and therefore can make unbiased verdicts without compromise.
The two parties in the manufacturing process will receive a clear picture of the status of their project.
Will My Import Company Benefit From Third Party Inspections?
Most companies consider third party inspections to be legitimate costs. TPIs are conducted by companies with strong professional expertise who work on-site every day.
They provide a neutral opinion on the quality of the product and can help the customer to keep a close eye on the uniformity of the quality of the site without having to be there.
The buyer is fully aware of the manufacturing process.
The TPI can facilitate the establishment of a trust relationship with the supplier, even remotely.
In addition, TPI can save your money by identifying and avoiding costly mistakes early in the process and by engaging internal quality management teams as soon as a need is identified.
When You Need a Third Party Inspection Most?
Yes, there are too much benefits for third party inspections in the result of product safety.
You need a third party inspection most when.
- Working with your new supplier
- Identify quality problems on time
- Repeated product quality problems (but we prefer to draw this conclusion at different
stages of the production process and not investigate all shipments - it is less ex
pensive than dealing with quality problems with suppliers already shipped)
- Buy high quality items: high-end electronics, industrial equipment, etc.
What type of problems an importer face in their products?
Quality issues are not limited to any one process or any single country.
Common issues identified by inspections are
- Marks
- Scratches
- Minor cosmetic issues
- Dirty
Serious Quality Problems
- Incorrect colors
- Loose parts
- Incorrect design
- Damages
- Mislabeled Products
What kind of checks can the quality inspector do?
There is a list of some tests that a quality checker do.
- Dimensions and measurements
- Take photos of product and labels
- Function tests
- Visual inspection (look for defects and damages)
- Label check
- Packaging
The goal is to ensure that the product complies with all specifications and quality requirements.
