Pre-shipment inspection in Iran: how importers check goods before they leave

A pre-shipment inspection is a check of finished, packed goods by an independent inspection company before they leave the supplier, usually when at least 80% of the order is packed. The inspector compares the goods with your written specification, counts and samples them using a recognised method such as ISO 2859-1 (AQL), and sends a report with photos. The buyer usually books and pays for it, and the contract decides what happens if the goods fail. ASL Market does not physically inspect goods, so for larger or first orders an independent inspection is the main way to see the goods before they ship.

What a pre-shipment inspection is and is not

An inspection is a snapshot of a sample of the goods on one day. It checks that the goods match the specification, quantity and packing you agreed. It does not guarantee every unit, it does not replace lab analysis for chemical or microbiological limits, and it does not make the inspector responsible for the contract.

For bulk commodities such as nuts, dried fruit, cement or minerals, the inspector draws a representative sample, seals it and may send it to a laboratory. For manufactured goods such as tiles, carpets or packaged food, the inspector opens a statistically chosen number of cartons and checks units against the AQL limits.

Types of inspection and when to book them

Book the inspection when you agree the ship-by date with the supplier, and ask the supplier to confirm the ready date at least several working days before. Inspection companies usually need a few working days' notice.

Inspection	When	What it is for
Pre-production inspection (PPI)	Before production starts	Checks raw materials, packaging materials and the approved sample; useful for private label
During-production inspection (DUPRO)	At about 20–50% of production	Finds problems early so they can be fixed before the whole lot is made
Pre-shipment inspection (PSI)	When at least about 80% is finished and packed	Final check of quality, quantity, packing and marking before payment release or loading
Loading supervision (container loading check)	At loading	Checks quantity, condition, container cleanliness and seal numbers; photos of each stage
Sampling and lab testing	Before or at loading	Draws sealed samples for lab analysis, for example aflatoxin, moisture, cement strength

Typical scope of a pre-shipment inspection

Quantity: number of cartons, bags or pallets, and units per carton, against the packing list.
Visual quality: defects classified as critical, major and minor according to your checklist.
Specification: size, weight, colour, grade, variety, count per kilogram or other agreed values.
Packing and marking: carton condition, labels, language, batch number, production and expiry dates, shipping marks.
Functional or on-site tests: for example moisture meter readings, tile flatness, carpet size, carton drop test.
Photos and, for bulk goods, sealed samples with seal numbers recorded in the report.
For loading supervision: container condition and cleanliness, loading sequence and the container seal number.

AQL sampling: how many units the inspector checks

For manufactured and packaged goods, most inspections use ISO 2859-1 (the same tables as ANSI/ASQ Z1.4), general inspection level II. The lot size gives a code letter and a sample size. For each defect class you set an acceptable quality limit (AQL), and the table gives the maximum number of defective units allowed in the sample.

Common settings for consumer goods are AQL 0 for critical defects (none allowed), 2.5 for major defects and 4.0 for minor defects. Food buyers often add their own limits for foreign matter or broken pieces. The table shows single sampling, normal inspection, level II.

Lot size (units)	Code letter	Sample size	AQL 2.5: accept / reject	AQL 4.0: accept / reject
151–280	G	32	2 / 3	3 / 4
281–500	H	50	3 / 4	5 / 6
501–1,200	J	80	5 / 6	7 / 8
1,201–3,200	K	125	7 / 8	10 / 11
3,201–10,000	L	200	10 / 11	14 / 15

Choosing an inspection company

Choose a company that can actually send staff to the supplier's location in Iran, and ask who will do the work: its own staff or a local partner. Ask whether the inspection body is accredited to ISO/IEC 17020 and whether the laboratory it uses is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.

Give the inspector a written checklist: the specification, approved sample photos, defect list with classes, AQL levels, packing and marking requirements, and the tests you want. A vague instruction produces a vague report. Ask for a sample report before you book.

Who pays and what happens if goods fail

Usually the buyer books and pays for the first inspection, because the inspector works for the buyer. Many contracts say that if the goods fail, the supplier fixes or replaces them and pays for the re-inspection. Write this in the order before production starts.

Costs are usually charged per inspector-day plus travel, and laboratory tests are charged separately. The supplier's part is to give access, have the goods ready and packed, and provide space and staff to open cartons. If the supplier refuses an agreed inspection, treat it as a serious warning sign.

Inspection and payment on ASL Market

ASL Market does not physically inspect goods and does not issue quality certificates. The «Verified» badge on a store means the store has at least two live listings with photos, or documents checked by ASL Market; it is not a factory audit.

You can arrange an independent inspection yourself: agree it with the supplier in chat before you pay, including the ready date, the checklist and who pays for a re-inspection. Payment is in USDT today, and ASL Secure Pay holds the money until you confirm receipt; receipt is confirmed automatically after a set period if you neither confirm nor dispute. If the goods do not match the order, open a dispute before you confirm receipt. ASL Market decides disputes, and a partial refund is possible. An inspection report and photos from loading are strong evidence. See /trade-assurance and /guides/paying-iranian-suppliers-safely. Import rules differ by country; check your own country's rules on trade with Iran before you order.

FAQ

When should a pre-shipment inspection take place?

Usually when production is complete and at least about 80% of the goods are packed, so the inspector can draw a representative sample. Book it when you agree the ship-by date, and ask the supplier to confirm the ready date several working days ahead.

What AQL should I use for goods from Iran?

A common setting for packaged and manufactured goods is AQL 0 for critical, 2.5 for major and 4.0 for minor defects at inspection level II. Stricter buyers use 1.5 for major defects. Define what counts as critical, major and minor in your checklist.

Who pays for pre-shipment inspection?

The buyer usually pays for the first inspection. If the goods fail, many contracts make the supplier pay for the re-inspection. Agree this in writing before production.

Does ASL Market inspect goods before shipment?

No. ASL Market does not physically inspect goods. Buyers who want an inspection book an independent company and agree the inspection with the supplier in chat before paying.

Is an inspection the same as a lab test?

No. An inspection checks quantity, appearance, packing and on-site measurements. Chemical, microbiological or strength values need a laboratory test on a sealed sample, ideally at an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab.

Can inspection help in a dispute?

Yes. A dated report with photos, seal numbers and sample results shows the condition of the goods at loading. Attach it when you open a dispute, together with photos of the goods on arrival.

Do I need an inspection for a small trial order?

Not always. For small trial orders, buyers often rely on samples, photos and video in chat, and escrow payment. For first container orders and high-value goods, an inspection usually costs little compared with the risk.