AQL Inspections in China — The Clear, Practical Version

If you’re preparing your first inspection in China, you’ve probably asked: What AQL level should I choose? What counts as a failure? Do I need in-line checks or just pre-shipment? This guide explains AQL in plain language, shows how to set acceptance criteria, and gives examples you can copy into a PO—so quality is decided before boxes move, not after a return.

What AQL actually is (and why it exists)

AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) is a sampling plan and a decision rule. You don’t check every unit; you check a statistically chosen sample. If defects in that sample stay at or below the allowed count, the lot passes. If they exceed it, the lot fails and needs rework, replacement, or re-inspection. AQL prevents endless debates by defining “how many defects are too many” in advance.

The three defect classes you must name

• Critical (CR): Safety, legality, or function failures (e.g., wrong voltage, sharp edge, missing safety label). Target is zero.
• Major (MA): Likely return or unusable (e.g., deep scratches on visible surface, non-working feature).
• Minor (MI): Cosmetic or small deviation that most buyers accept (e.g., tiny paint speck in non-critical area).

Your PO should say which issues fall in each bucket. If you don’t define them, the factory will—on the fly.

Picking a sampling level (without the math headache)

Use ANSI/ASQ Z1.4. You pick a general inspection level (II is standard for most orders), find your code letter from the lot size, then read the sample size and the accept/reject numbers for each defect class.

A practical default for first runs:

• General level: II
• AQL thresholds: CR = 0.0, MA = 2.5, MI = 4.0

That mix catches real problems without stalling every ship date. Lower AQL numbers = stricter (fewer defects allowed). Raise them only after consistent performance.

DUPRO vs. Pre-Shipment: do you need both?

• DUPRO (during production): Early check while lines are running. Best place to catch assembly mistakes, finish drift, and packaging confusion—when fixes are still cheap.
• Pre-Shipment (PSI): Final check on packed or nearly packed goods. Confirms labeling, counts, barcodes, and carton integrity—right before release.

For new suppliers or new SKUs, run both. Once the process is stable, you can lighten DUPRO frequency and keep PSI strict.

What a clean inspection plan looks like (copy/paste)

Order: 5,000 units
Level: General II (ANSI/ASQ Z1.4)
AQL: CR 0.0 / MA 2.5 / MI 4.0
Checklist: Function ✓, key dimensions ±0.3 mm, finish per sample, label/COO, barcode scans, pack per dieline, drop test 3 edges/1 corner (where applicable).
Golden sample: #GS-042, dated, signed by both parties.
Photos: 20+ across sampling, defects (if any), labeling, carton, pallet.
Outcome: Pass/Fail with counts by defect class; re-inspect after rework if failed.

Put this block in your PO. Everyone then follows the same script.

Pass/Fail examples (to make it real)

Example A — Pass: Sample size = 200. Allowed at MA 2.5 is 10 defects; MI 4.0 is 14. Inspector finds 6 MA, 9 MI, 0 CR. Result: Pass. Ship or fix minors at supplier’s discretion.

Example B — Fail: Same sample. Inspector finds 0 CR, 12 MA, 7 MI. Result: Fail (MA exceeds 10). Action: rework/replace items causing MA, re-inspect affected cartons.

Example C — Automatic Fail: Any critical defect (e.g., wrong plug, missing warning label required by law). Result: Fail regardless of MA/MI counts.

What to do when AQL results miss

• Name the fix and the owner. Repaint, re-assemble, re-label—who does it, by when.
• Protect the schedule. Re-inspect only the affected scope if practical; don’t restart the world.
• Raise the sample if borderline. A larger sample can statistically clear uncertainty without delaying a week.
• Prevent repeats. Feed defect photos and counts back into DFM or work instructions.

How AQL ties to claims on the box (and returns)

If the unit, label, or site says it does something, inspect for that claim. If your lamp claims 90 CRI, have a way to verify. If packaging claims “drop-tested,” the pack should survive your route’s drop equivalent. Most chargebacks come from a claim that no one checked before ship.

The quiet killer: vague “golden samples”

A golden sample that lives in someone’s desk is not protection. Treat it like a mini-spec: date it, sign it, photograph it, and refer to it in the checklist. If the supplier wants to change a component, finish, or tolerance—approve a new golden before the line restarts.

When to tighten or relax AQL

Tighten (lower AQL) for life-safety, high return risk, or strict retailers. Relax slightly after several clean runs with the same build and supplier. Don’t toggle per shipment; quality systems hate whiplash.

Why Orient’s QC saves time (and margin)

We don’t treat AQL as paperwork. We set the plan with you, run DUPRO and PSI as the program needs, coordinate lab tests where markets require them, and deliver a same-day report with photos, measurements, and clear pass/fail. Findings flow to our Logistics & Export team so labels, counts, and documents match what inspectors saw—reducing holds and chargebacks.

Next steps: If you need a plan you can paste into your PO today, send your spec, target market, and ship date. We’ll return an AQL line, a checklist tied to your product, and an inspection schedule that fits your build.

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