If you want to grow your Amazon business, it’s important to ensure that the products you source are of high quality.
Unfortunately, even if you’ve found the supplier to work with and have been with them for a long time, you may still expect that some of your products will not meet quality standards.
When this happens, you don’t want that product taking up valuable storage space in the warehouse, or worse, ending up at the doorstep of your customers.
This is where third-party inspection companies can play an important role in your business.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about them in order to protect your business when purchasing stock.
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What is a third-party inspection?
A third-party inspection (TPI) is when an independent company, not involved in either the manufacturing or the selling, ensures that the supply chain runs smoothly by conducting a product inspection for quality control.
They’ll send out the inspection team to the factory to conduct quality inspections and conduct a series of testing on the products to check if they meet the required quality standards.
When does third-party inspection happen?
Before the manufacturing process, your products will be designed and a prototype will be created.
After you’ve approved the design and the materials to be used, the product will be sent to the factory where it’ll be mass-produced.
Now, this is when the third-party inspection happens.
Depending on the services you request from your hired third-party agency, the inspections can take place at any time during production to conduct quality assurance and the inspectors can visit the factory at any stage during the production for QC inspection:
Pre-production inspection
During this step, the inspectors visit the factory before mass production begins to check the raw materials and components that will be used.
This is done to ensure that the specified requirements will be followed during production.
Production inspection
This is also known as the in-process inspection where products are inspected during the manufacturing process.
It’s also when a series of tests on the product is carried out to ensure that they are produced to the correct standard and that they meet product specifications.
Final inspection
This step involves checking a sample of products from the batch to determine any defects before they are shipped.
Pre-shipment inspection
Involved in this step is the checking of finished goods to determine if it meets standard quality before they are packed for shipping.
Container loading supervision
This is also known as the loading inspection where an inspector supervises the packing of products into containers to ensure that they are packed correctly and securely before it’s sold in the market.
Each third-party inspection company may differ in the inspection services they offer. Some companies may only offer the final inspection services, while some can offer pre-production inspection services until pre-shipment inspection services.
It really depends on what your business needs are and what you want to be inspected.
However, as a general rule of thumb, the earlier the inspection is done, the more cost-effective it will be.
This is because it’s easier and cheaper to fix problems and take corrective actions when they’re found early on in the manufacturing process.
We generally recommend our students carry out a pre-shipment inspection before paying the balance to their supplier to ensure all goods are in the expected condition and packed appropriately for the shipping process.
What to look for in a third-party inspection agency?
With so many different inspection agencies out there, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.
So when looking for a reliable third-party inspection agency, here are some things you should keep in mind:
1) Experience
The inspection company should be familiar with the same industry and have inspected similar products in the past.
This is because each product has its own unique set of quality requirements.
Thus, an experienced company will know exactly what to look for and how to carry out the tests efficiently.
2) Certification and Relevant Accreditation
The company should be certified by an internationally recognized organization such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
This is to ensure that the company has met certain international standards and that they’re qualified to carry out product inspections.
Additionally, depending on the product category your business is in, the agency should have the relevant accreditation.
One example is if you’re selling products that are meant for children or babies as the agency will have to adhere to certain safety regulations.
3) Competitive pricing
The company should offer competitive prices without compromising on quality.
To get an idea of what a fair cost is, you can request quotes from different agencies and compare their prices.
4) Customer service
The agency should have an effective communication system in place and be responsive to your queries and concerns.
They should also provide regular updates on the progress of the inspection so that you can stay updated on the status of your products.
To find the best inspection agency for your business, you can start by asking for recommendations from other businesses in your industry or conducting an online search.
Also, make sure to read reviews and check out their website.
Why should you consider getting third-party quality inspection services?
Getting a third-party inspection company means hiring people who are excellent in their area of expertise.
What this means for you is that you get to avoid any potential problems down the line which may negatively impact your business.
Here are some of the other benefits of getting third-party inspection services:
1) To ensure that your products meet customer expectations
When selling products on Amazon, it’s important to ensure that the products meet customer expectations in terms of quality.
If your products don’t meet these expectations, it could lead to customer complaints and negative reviews.
2) To save time and money
Initially, you may think that hiring a third-party inspection agency may be costly and time-consuming. However, in the long run, it can actually save you both time and money.
By ensuring that your products meet the required standards, you can avoid any issues further down the line that could end up costing you more time and money to fix.
3) To protect your brand reputation
Your brand reputation is one of the most important assets of your business.
If you sell products that are defective or not up to standard, it can damage your reputation and make it difficult to attract new customers.
By getting a third-party inspection company to verify quality, you can be sure that your products meet the required standards, avoid quality risks and protect your brand reputation.
In summary
As an Amazon seller, whether you’re running a Wholesale or Private Label business, it’s important to ensure that your products meet buyer expectations in terms of quality.
Otherwise, you risk complaints, negative reviews, decreased sales, and a bad reputation.
One way how you can mitigate this issue and best invest in the growth of your Amazon business is to get a third-party inspection agency to carry out quality control tests on your products before they’re shipped out.
By hiring third-party inspection services to conduct the quality control inspection, you can be sure that your products meet the required standards and avoid any potential problems down the line.
When it comes to product quality, don’t take any chances.
Sell on Amazon with confidence and grow your business by offering the best products with a quality that can outshine your competitors and lead to satisfied customers.
