The final physical safeguard before the container doors close and the ocean bill of lading is locked. We inspect container integrity with light-leak checks, tally every master carton against the packing list, prevent unsafe stacking, and document the tamper-evident seal—reducing exposure to water damage, mold, crushed cartons and short-shipment disputes at destination.
A pre-shipment inspection evaluates sampled product quality. CLS controls the container, every loaded carton and the sealed handover. One cannot replace the other.
| Inspection dimension | Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) | Container Loading Supervision (CLS) |
|---|---|---|
| When it happens | When goods are 100% manufactured and at least 80% packed | In real time as the container enters the loading dock |
| Core mission | AQL defect classification, tolerances and functional testing | Container fitness, exact carton count and cargo seaworthiness |
| Inspection scope | Statistical AQL sample, often 80–200 units depending on lot and level | 100% master-carton tally plus selected carton spot-checks |
| What it prevents | Manufacturing defects, wrong colors, failed functions and artwork errors | Water ingress, mold, crushed cartons and short shipments |
| Its blind spot | Cannot prove that the approved goods were all loaded safely and completely | Cannot assess deep internal tolerances or defect rates across the production lot |
We agree what success looks like before starting. Findings are separated into facts, risks and recommended actions so your team can move quickly.
Dock and container gate: verify the tractor plate, booking details and ISO 6346 container number; then complete the empty-container cleanliness, odor and dark-room light-leak checks.
Spot-check verification: open selected cartons to confirm shipping marks, barcode identity, quantity and product consistency against the approved packing list and PSI reference.
Full-course loading oversight: tally 100% of master cartons while monitoring handling, stacking order, weight distribution, void control and cargo restraint.
Sealing and departure record: witness door closure and high-security bolt-seal application, record the seal number, and issue time-stamped close-up, wide-angle and handover evidence.
Reject an unfit container before cartons disappear behind closed doors.
Create an independent count rather than relying on the supplier’s final packing-list total.
Control the physical loading decisions that determine whether saleable goods survive the ocean journey.
Close the evidence chain from the final loaded carton to the sealed departing container.
This representative case shows the release decision and evidence format. Buyer, factory, carrier and shipment identifiers are removed.
Share your current supplier, order size, deadline and biggest concern. We usually reply within one business day.
