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Short answer: usually not for the trial, usually yes for the first wholesale order. On a 500-piece trial, an inspection can cost a fifth of the goods. The trial itself is your inspection: you will open every carton when it arrives.
The sum
Inspection companies in India commonly charge somewhere around $250 to $350 for one inspector for one day. Ask two for a quote, because rates change.
| Order | Goods value (550 GSM bath towel at $2.50) | Inspection at $300 | Share of order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500-piece trial | $1,250 | $300 | 24 percent |
| 2,000 pieces | $5,000 | $300 | 6 percent |
| 10,000 pieces | $25,000 | $300 | 1.2 percent |
When to inspect a trial anyway
- The trial ships straight to your customer and you will not see it first.
- It carries a logo, a custom colour or retail packing, where a mistake cannot be sold on.
- Your company or your customer requires it for every purchase order.
- The trial is large in value, such as velour bathrobes or 600 thread count sheet sets.
What to do instead on a small trial
| Check | Cost | What it catches |
|---|---|---|
| The supplier's own AQL 2.5 report | None | Defect rate, with sample size and findings |
| Dated photos and a video of packed goods | None | Wrong labels, wrong packing, wrong carton marks |
| Weight and size readings on video | None | Underweight or undersize goods |
| A live video call during packing | Your time | Almost everything an inspector would see |
| Your own check on arrival | Your time | Everything, though after the goods have shipped |
We send the inspection report and production photos before the balance is due on every order, whatever its size.
What an inspector does that you can't
An independent inspector picks the cartons, counts the sample, and writes a report that carries weight with your customer or your bank. For a letter of credit or a tender, that independence is the point.
How to brief one
- Send the spec sheet, tolerances and approved sample photos.
- State the AQL level. AQL 2.5 for major defects is the usual choice for hotel linen.
- Ask for weight and size measurements, not only a visual check.
- Ask for the carton count and marks to be verified.
Work out the sample size for your order in the AQL inspection calculator.
A sensible plan
Trial of 500: rely on the report, photos and your own receiving check. First wholesale order: send an inspector. After two clean orders: inspect now and then.
For more on checking a supplier in person, see how to conduct a factory audit in India. To plan a trial, ask for a quote.
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Written by
Dr Abin Babu
Founder & Chairman, Anabyn Global Ventures
Anabyn exports hotel and home linen from Kerala, India. These guides come from the questions buyers ask our desk. About the team
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