The Complete Pre-Shipment Inspection Checklist for Textile Buyers

Quick Answer: Textile pre-shipment inspection follows ISO 2859-1 AQL Level II: zero tolerance for critical defects, AQL 2.5 for major defects (measurements, stitching, colourfastness failures), AQL 4.0 for minor defects (light marks, loose threads). The inspection verifies quantity, product specifications against the approved sample, label accuracy, carton marking and packing compliance before goods leave the factory.

Why Pre-Shipment Inspection Matters

A pre-shipment inspection (PSI) is your last opportunity to identify and resolve quality issues before goods leave the factory. Catching a defect at this stage costs significantly less than managing a return, a credit note or a customer complaint at destination.

The Checklist

Use this as a starting point. Tailor it to your specific product and market requirements.

Quantity Verification

• Total carton count matches packing list
• Units per carton match specification
• Total units shipped match the purchase order quantity

Packaging and Labelling

• Carton markings correct (PO number, destination, gross/net weight)
• Care labels present, correct and securely attached
• Country of origin labelling compliant with destination market regulations
• Barcodes scannable and matching product codes

Fabric and Construction

• GSM within agreed tolerance (±5%) — verify with circular cutter and precision scale
• Fabric composition matches specification
• Colour matches approved sample under standard light sources (D65 and TL84)
• Seam strength and stitch density within specification
• No pilling, snagging or surface defects on AQL sample

Measurement

• Garment measurements within tolerance on all sizes
• Measurement taken relaxed, not stretched
• Minimum 3 units measured per size in the ratio

Finishing

• No loose threads, missed stitches or skipped seams
• Buttons, zips and closures functional and secure
• Embellishments registered correctly and durably applied

The AQL standard most widely used in textile export is AQL 2.5 for major defects. Agree your AQL level with your sourcing partner before production begins — not after. For a full explanation of AQL sampling methodology, sample sizes and acceptance numbers, see our AQL Pre-Shipment Inspection guide.

Working With Your Sourcing Partner

MZ Global Trading conducts basic production reviews as standard on all orders. Dedicated third-party inspection scope and associated costs are agreed on a per-order basis before production begins. Our full Inspection Process covers what is checked at pre-production, inline and pre-shipment stages.

Related Resources

For the ISO 2859-1 sampling table — sample sizes and acceptance numbers by lot size — download our AQL Level II Reference Table. The complete Pre-Shipment Inspection Checklist PDF is available to download and use with your QC team. For ISO 9001 and social compliance certifications held across our factory network, see Our ISO 9001 Certification: What It Means for Your Orders. When you are ready to place an order with independent inspection built in, submit an RFQ.