Quality · Guide 05
Samples, factory audits and quality inspections in China
Direct answer
Quality must be defined before it can be inspected. Approve a measurable specification and golden sample, assess the factory when the risk justifies it, control critical stages during production and inspect the finished order before shipment and final balance release.
01
Turn the sample into a controlled reference
A sample is useful only when its materials, dimensions, colour, function, packaging and approved deviations are recorded. Seal or identify the approved version and attach it to the purchase specification.
- Record revisions and approval date.
- Test function and target-market requirements.
- Do not approve only from edited photos.
02
Use audits for supplier capability risk
An audit can verify legal identity, site, production lines, quality system, equipment, capacity and subcontracting. Its scope should match the product risk. A general tour is not the same as a process-focused audit.
- Confirm the audited entity and address.
- Trace actual production and subcontracting.
- Record corrective actions and owners.
03
Inspect at the right production stage
Pre-production checks confirm materials and setup. During-production inspection can catch systemic deviations while correction is possible. Pre-shipment inspection samples finished goods against the agreed criteria; AQL defines sampling, not automatic product safety.
- Define critical, major and minor defects.
- Set pass/fail criteria before inspection.
- Link failed findings to correction and re-inspection.
Quality controls answer different questions
| Control | Best timing | What it verifies |
|---|---|---|
| Golden sample | Before the production order is frozen | Approved materials, appearance, function and packaging reference |
| Factory audit | Before commitment or for elevated process risk | Entity, site, capability, quality system and subcontracting |
| During-production inspection | When enough units exist and correction is still possible | Process consistency and emerging systemic defects |
| Pre-shipment inspection | When production is finished and packed | Sampled finished goods against written acceptance criteria |
Quality-assurance process
-
01
Freeze measurable specifications
-
02
Approve and identify the golden sample
-
03
Assess factory and process risk
-
04
Inspect at the production stages that matter
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05
Release shipment only after documented disposition
Quality-control checklist
- 01Approved specification and golden sample aligned
- 02Critical tests and tolerances defined
- 03Factory or process risk assessed
- 04Inspection timing chosen before production
- 05Failed inspection process written
Questions people ask
Does a good sample guarantee production quality?
No. Mass production introduces material, setup and process variation. The sample must be linked to specifications and supported by production controls and inspection.
Does AQL 2.5 mean 2.5% defective products are accepted?
Not exactly. AQL is a statistical sampling framework with acceptance and rejection numbers based on lot and inspection level; defect classes must also be defined.
Detailed answers for the next step
China factory audit
Assess a Chinese factory on site: identity, production lines, capacity, quality system, subcontracting, records and project-specific risks.
Quality control in China
Plan product quality control in China with approved specifications, in-production checks, pre-shipment inspection and documented corrective actions.
China supplier verification
Verify a Chinese supplier before payment through company checks, document consistency, production capability review and risk-based on-site inspection.
Continue through the knowledge hub
Factory or trading company: which supplier model fits your project?
Compare factories and trading companies in China by capability, MOQ, communication, product range, pricing transparency and risk.
How to negotiate MOQ, target price and payment terms
Negotiate a Chinese supplier quotation by balancing MOQ, target price, specification, tooling, quality controls and payment risk.
Air, sea or rail freight from China: choose by total operational cost
Choose between air, sea and rail freight from China using chargeable weight, volume, urgency, destination, customs and inventory cost.
Sources and methodology
ISO 2859-1 defines acceptance sampling by attributes. Product safety, regulatory compliance and process capability may require separate tests or audits beyond AQL inspection.
- ISO 2859-1:2026 — AQL sampling schemes International Organization for Standardization
- Mijay Group sample, audit and inspection workflow Mijay Group · Guangzhou
Turn the guide into an operational project
Mijay Group coordinates sourcing, supplier verification, negotiation, production follow-up, quality control and shipping from China.