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Product Inspection vs. Testing: What is the Difference?
If you’ve developed a product and want to get it into the hands of consumers, you need to learn how to manage product quality and compliance. You may have heard the terms ‘product inspection’ and ‘product testing’ thrown around and been unsure whether they were the...
Tariff Whiplash: How is it Affecting Your Quality Control?
Caught in Tariff Whiplash? In this conversation, we unpack the rollercoaster that is the U.S.-China trade relationship—and how it’s turning supply chains upside down. As tariffs spike, pause, and shift again, companies are scrambling to protect product quality while...
5 Types of Supplier Audits That Will Help You Assess Your Manufacturer
Are you thinking about conducting a supplier audit to uncover hidden manufacturing issues, support supplier development, or assess a new manufacturing partner? In general, audits allow you to assess suppliers, but they sometimes have different goals. For example, some...
What is a Golden Sample in Manufacturing, and Why are They Essential?
If you’re manufacturing a product and thinking about how to manage product quality effectively, you may have come across the term 'golden sample.' A Golden Sample, also called an approval sample, is a sample your manufacturer sends to you before mass production. It...
Why Is It So Difficult to Reshore Manufacturing to the US?
Over the past several years, reshoring has become a hot topic among U.S. manufacturers and brands. With rising tariffs, increased geopolitical uncertainty, and a desire to bring production closer to home, many companies are evaluating whether it’s possible to...
The Carton Drop Test: 7 Things You Need to Know About It
When manufacturing products overseas, it is vital to take all possible steps to ensure product quality. More than that, you must ensure that your products survive the journey from the factory to the port and then across the ocean to you. Have you ever seen videos of...
AQL Defect Classification: 3 Types of Defects You Need to Understand
Are you planning to conduct inspections using the AQL sampling method? You may be aware that three types of defects — minor, major, and critical — play a role. To conduct an effective inspection, you must understand these three defect types and develop a thorough...
Third-Party Inspections: How to Ensure Product Quality From Afar
Your products need to meet quality standards, legal requirements, and customer expectations. However, when you import products from overseas, verifying that your manufacturer consistently meets these requirements becomes difficult. If you don’t have an on-site...
Incoming Materials: Is Your Manufacturer Doing Enough To Ensure Good Quality?
Before your manufacturer begins production, they may need raw materials such as a specific grade of plastic or metal. However, your end product and business results can suffer if they don’t follow good procedures to ensure raw material quality. Substandard materials...
Quality Management in 2025: Here Are 5 Essential Insights
As we enter 2025, it promises to be a pivotal year, with changes like potential new tariffs and ongoing global supply chain shifts shaping the landscape. These developments have significant implications for product quality, and we’re here to help you navigate them. In...
How Do Container Loading Inspections Work, and Do You Need One?
Do you want to minimize the risk of carton tampering during container loading? Are you ordering multiple containers of goods and using container stuffing plans to maximize efficiency? Or have you established packing and marking systems to minimize product damage? If...
5 Types Of Quality Inspections Importers Should Know About
When you import goods from overseas, how can you be sure your supplier is making high-quality products that match your specifications? Quality inspections are an essential tool to verify that your manufacturer makes products that meet your requirements. They allow you...
AQL Special Inspection Levels: What Do You Need To Know?
AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit) is an important sampling method that you’ll use when conducting product inspections at your factory. So if you’re manufacturing consumer products and have been learning about AQL, you’ve probably looked at the various inspection levels...
De Minimis Exemption: Big Changes Coming for Small US Importers
If your business relies on small shipments into the U.S. under $800, you're probably familiar with the de minimis exemption. In September, the Biden-Harris Administration released a statement from the White House about upcoming changes that will impact those relying...
Quality Inspection: A Guide to Help You Make Great Products
Are you manufacturing consumer products at a factory abroad? Ensuring they’re well-made is essential to your success. A product that breaks easily or doesn’t meet customer expectations can lead to returns, negative reviews, and a damaged brand reputation. Quality...
Chinese New Year 2025: How to Prepare for the Factory Shutdown
Every time Chinese New Year (CNY) comes around, a new crop of importers gets thrown for a loop. Rookie buyers often fail to anticipate the holiday’s impact on their production timelines, shipping timelines, and quality control. As many seasoned importers know, it’s...
Pre-Shipment Inspections in China: 5 Things You Need to Know
Are you working with a manufacturer in China? Are you far away from the factory but thinking about sending someone to make sure the goods meet your quality standards? Many importers in this situation choose to conduct pre-shipment inspections. A Pre-Shipment...
How Production Monitoring Helps Importers Meet Quality and Ship Date Targets
Do you have long production runs at an overseas factory that last weeks or months? Have you experienced issues that delayed the delivery of finished goods? Or are you working with a new product or factory and feeling nervous about hitting your production timeline? If...