Don't Ship Blindly: The Complete Guide to China Cargo Inspection (2026)

You’ve sourced the product. You’ve calculated the profit. You are ready to ship.

But wait. Have you actually seen what is inside the boxes?

If you ship 1,000 units to Amazon FBA, and just 5% are defective, you are walking into a trap. You face negative reviews, expensive removal orders, and potential account suspension.

As we explained in our guide on [Handling Amazon FBA Returns] , once bad inventory lands in the USA, it is incredibly expensive to fix.

The only smart move? Stop the problem in China, before it ever gets on the boat.

What is Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)?

Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) is a quality control step taken after your goods are manufactured but before they are loaded. It acts as your "safety firewall."

A proper inspection checks four key areas:

1. Quantity: Is the order count correct?

2. Visual Quality: Are there scratches, wrong colors, or poor stitching?

3. Functionality: Does the product actually work?

4. Packaging: Will the boxes survive the ocean trip?

• Note: Weak packaging is the #1 cause of damage, whether you are stuffing a 20ft Container or a massive 40ft HQ.

The 3 Levels of Inspection: Which Do You Need?

Not all inspections are the same. Depending on your budget, you can choose:

1. The "Basic Check" (Forwarder Inspection)

• Best for: Standard products, trusted suppliers.
• What happens: When goods arrive at our Warehouse, we check the outer cartons for damage and verify the total carton count.
• Cost: Often Free or very low cost with Forest Leopard.

2. The "AQL Sampling" (Standard)

• Best for: Most Amazon sellers.
• What happens: We open a random sample (e.g., 10% of boxes) based on AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) standards. We check for major and minor defects.
• Cost: Moderate.  

3. The "Full Inspection" (1-by-1)

• Best for: High-value electronics, luxury goods.
• What happens: Every single unit is opened and tested.
• Cost: Expensive, but guarantees 100% quality.

Comparison: Inspection Agency vs. Freight Forwarder

Many sellers assume they must hire a separate inspection company. But for 90% of Amazon sellers, using a capable freight forwarder is the smarter choice.

Forest Leopard’s "Nationwide" Quality Net

One advantage of working with a large logistics provider is the network.

Unlike a small forwarder with just one office, Forest Leopard operates consolidation warehouses across China's major manufacturing hubs, including:

• South: Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Dongguan
• East: Shanghai, Ningbo, Yiwu, Xiamen
• North: Qingdao, Tianjin

What this means for you:

No matter where your supplier is—whether it's electronics from Shenzhen or small commodities from Yiwu—we can collect your goods at the nearest local hub. We perform a Free Basic Check (outer carton inspection) upon arrival to ensure no damaged boxes are loaded onto the ship.

Real Case: The "Missing Label" Rescue

Last month, a client sent 500 units of kitchenware to our Yiwu warehouse.

During our standard inbound check, our team noticed a critical error: The "Made in China" label was missing on the master cartons.(Context: US Customs rigorously enforces this).

• Scenario A (No Check): The goods ship. US Customs inspects and rejects the entry. The client faces thousands in fines and weeks of delay.
• Scenario B (With Forest Leopard): We alerted the client via WhatsApp immediately. Within 24 hours, we printed and applied the correct labels right there in the warehouse.

The shipment left on time, fully compliant. That is the value of having a logistics partner who acts as your "eyes" on the ground.

Summary: Secure Your Supply Chain

In 2026, relying on "blind trust" with suppliers is a strategy for failure.

You don't need to spend a fortune on inspection, but you must have a checkpoint.

1. Define your standards.

2. Check packaging (refer to our 20ft Container Guide for stacking tips).

3. Leverage your forwarder's network to inspect efficiently.

Ready to ship with confidence?

Whether you are consolidating samples in Shenzhen or shipping full containers from Ningbo, Forest Leopard ensures your goods are checked, packed, and shipped correctly.

Get a Quote & Inspection Plan