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The final random inspection: What do importers need to know?

The final random inspection can be conducted on nearly any type of product purchased in Asia. To initiate payment and authorize shipment, the importer uses the final inspection report. Final Random Inspection (FRI) is one of the most common services offered to importers by low-cost countries’ manufacturers.

Final Random Inspection: Description

Final Random Inspection (FRI) is a quality control process that examines each order after it has been manufactured and before it has been shipped. You hire a third-party inspection company to visit the factory on your behalf in order to conduct a series of inspections:

  • Meet your specifications
  • Do not have excessive defects
  • Proper packaging and labeling
  • Should comply with any requirements you have for them

An FRI can only be conducted if the production process is 100% complete and at least 80% of the products are packaged. As soon as your product has been inspected, an inspection report will be generated by the inspector.

In addition to specifying Pass, Fail, or Hold, this report includes photos of your goods and packaging and details the results of all checks conducted. It is possible to decide whether to accept a shipment or to request a factory correction based on this information.

According to Insight Quality, FRIs are also referred to as “Pre-Shipment Inspections” in the quality control world.

How do final random inspections take place? Three things you need to know

To conduct a Final Random Inspection, your third-party inspection company must follow the following steps:

  • Create a list of defects that the inspector will be looking for
  • Determine what level of quality you are willing to accept
  • Create a checklist that will guide the inspection

 Inspection Reports: What are they, and how can they be used?

Following each inspection, you will receive a written report from the FRI.

The purpose of this report is to provide you with a clear picture of whether the products from your order meet your quality standards.

The report also lists three results: Pass, Fail, or Hold. This report includes information about the number of units inspected, the results, and photos taken by the inspector. Based on this information, you can decide whether to accept or reject the shipment from your supplier.

To better understand what you will receive at the end of an inspection, you can download a sample QC inspection report.

You should review your inspection report carefully, even if it doesn’t fail to give you a full understanding of the condition of your order. It is ultimately your responsibility if you receive products that don’t meet your expectations. Therefore, you should carefully review the results of any inspection and ask questions about anything unclear to you to the best inspection company in Vietnam or elsewhere.

Wrapping Up

You can verify the quality of your products before shipping by conducting a final random inspection/pre-shipment inspection. An inspection begins with the development of a defect list, setting the AQL levels, and creating a checklist of items to be checked. You will receive a detailed inspection report from a third-party inspector from the best inspection company in Vietnam or elsewhere. Your decision on whether to accept or reject the shipment depends on your review of the inspection report.