Which inspection for which stage?
Match the inspection to the stage of your order. Each one checks something the others cannot, so many buyers book two: a during production inspection and a pre-shipment inspection.
| Where your order is | Inspection | What it checks |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing a factory | Factory audit | Business license, real production lines, capacity, machines and quality system |
| Factory chosen, production not started | Pre-production inspection (PPI) | Raw materials, components and the approved sample |
| Production under way (about 20% to 80% made) | During production inspection (DUPRO) | Defects and delays while the line can still change |
| At least 80% made, packing started | Pre-shipment inspection (PSI) | A random AQL sample of the finished goods, before you pay the balance |
| Container or truck being loaded | Container loading check (CLC) | Quantities, cartons, container condition and the loading itself |
Toys, children's products, electronics, cosmetics and food-contact items usually also need lab testing against the safety rules of the market you sell in. An inspection checks quality on site; it does not replace those tests. Our AQL guide explains how the inspection sample is sized, and our factory audit guide covers audits and published prices.
QIMA or Sofeast?
Both inspect and audit factories in China, India and Vietnam; they differ in how they work. QIMA is a large global network with online booking, standard reports and its own labs. Sofeast is a quality and engineering firm headquartered in Hong Kong, built around hands-on follow-up and product engineering.
| QIMA | Sofeast | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Booking a standard inspection fast, anywhere | Hands-on help, new or engineered products |
| Services | Inspections, factory and social audits (such as SMETA), lab testing | Inspections, factory audits, production follow-up, compliance consulting, product engineering |
| Where | Global network | China, India, Vietnam and Southeast Asia |
| Price | Quoted per job | Quoted per job |
For a price benchmark, firms that publish rates charge about US$268 to US$298 per person-day for an inspection in China (V-Trust and QC Advisor, checked October 2026). Most small orders need one person-day.
How the quiz decides
The inspection plan comes from your order's stage, whether the factory is new to you, and the product type. The firm comes from three things: where the factory is (QIMA covers countries outside Sofeast's regions), what you want most (fast online booking points to QIMA, hands-on help to Sofeast), and the product (new or engineered products lean to Sofeast, products that need lab tests to QIMA). You always see the runner-up and when it would be the better choice.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book a pre-shipment inspection?
When at least 80% of the order is finished and packing has started, which is the line QIMA uses. Book it before you pay the balance, so you can ask the factory to fix problems first.
Do I need a factory audit before my first order?
It is worth it when you have not worked with the factory before or the order is large: an audit checks that the factory is real, has the capacity it claims and runs a basic quality system.
How much does a factory inspection cost?
Firms that publish prices charge about US$268 to US$298 per person-day in China (V-Trust and QC Advisor, October 2026). QIMA and Sofeast quote per job, based on the service, location and number of days.
Does an inspection replace lab testing?
No. An inspection checks quality and quantities on site. Safety rules for toys, children's products, electronics, cosmetics and food-contact items usually need separate lab tests.
Is the quiz result sponsored?
We earn a commission if you book QIMA or Sofeast through our links. The quiz's logic is on this page, it always shows the runner-up, and the commission does not change your price.
General information, not professional quality or legal advice. Services and regions are from each firm's own website, checked October 23, 2026. We earn a commission if you book QIMA or Sofeast through our links.