A Guide to Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSI Certificate)

Pre shipment inspection certificates are documents issued by a TPI inspection agency to certify that the physical inspection of goods have been examined and found to comply with the requirements of a particular agreement/specifications.

Do you need a PSI certificate for your business? This guide will tell you everything you need to know, from what the certification entails and its purpose to where you can get it.

What Is a Pre Shipment Inspection Certificate?

A pre shipment inspection certificate is an important trade document that usually accompanies a shipment to confirm that the products included meet specified quality standards and other applicable requirements.

The report is issued by an independent third party inspection agency and is only granted after an inspector has inspected all/or a sample of products and verified that it meets the specified standards.

There are two general types of pre shipment inspection certificates:

• Inspection Certificate for Internal Purposes – An inspection certificate can confirm to a buyer whether or not a sample of the manufacturer’s goods meets specific standards before they’re shipped to them. There are 4 types of quality inspections that are done at each stage in the production cycle. These certificates reduce the buyer’s risk of receiving goods that don’t meet their expectations.

• Certificate of Inspection for Customs – The inspection certificate for customs is a document required by the local customs department for the shipping of goods. The certificate often entails information about what products are being shipped, the quantity and weight, whether the inspected goods are of good quality, etc. It’s worth noting that these requirements vary from country to country. See an example of the pre-customs clearance inspection process for Mexico.

Is a Pre Shipment Inspection Mandatory?

A pre-shipment inspection is not a customs requirement for most countries, but it’s instead seen as an effective way for buyers to prevent risks when purchasing goods from manufacturers. These inspections confirm the quality of the goods, quantity, packaging and labelling and other important factors.

But that being said, some countries, primarily in Africa and Asia, require shipments to be accompanied by an inspection certificate, which must be done by an accredited quality inspection agency. We’ve created a few guides earlier for the following countries:

• Certificate of Conformity to Uganda
• Certificate of Conformity to Iraq
• Certificate of Conformity to Saudi Arabia
• Pre-Shipment Inspections to Uzbekistan

The goods may be subject to additional inspections and delays without a pre shipment inspection certificate in the beforementioned countries. In some cases, shipments without a valid pre shipment inspection certificate can even be confiscated or returned to the country of origin.

Who Performs Pre Shipment Inspections?

The buyer order the pre shipment inspection before they accept goods from the seller/and typically before the products are shipped. The pre shipment inspection is performed by an accredited third party inspector, like us at AQM BD, who has no stake in any party involved.

The inspection agency will often visit the manufacturer on-site and use the international standard statistical sampling procedure MIL-STD-105E (ISO2859-1) and assess the batch according to the:

• Workmanship – An on-site observation of the workmanship, including searching for any physical defects that may negatively influence the product or fail to conform to the client’s expectations.
• Quantity – Open several cartons and count the number of pieces to ensure it’s the same number as in the specifications.
• Field Test and Measurement – Check that the product aligns with the agreed specifications and international standards.
• Style, Color and Documentation – Verify that the product specifications, construction data form (CDF), and instruction manuals are consistent with the samples, colour, and style according to requirements.
• Packaging and Labeling – Check if the correct shipping marks and packaging are used.

Photo: Example of an inspection report from one of AQM BD pre shipment inspections. See more sample inspection reports.

Interested to calculate the sample size for your inspection? Use our free AQL Calculator!

The Benefits of PSI Certificates

Any business that deals with imports- and exporters of goods should be familiar with the concept of a pre shipment inspection certificate, as there are countries that require the document to clear customs.

The benefits of having this type of certification for your business include the following:

• It provides independent verification of the goods being shipped.
• It can avoid potential disputes by providing clarity about the condition of the goods.
• Reduction in customs or port of entry delays for clearance and release of goods.

Disadvantages of Not Having a Pre Shipment Inspection Certificate

Not getting a certificate for PSI is associated with a lot of risks, including:

• There is no evidence of the product’s condition before the goods were shipped to the buyer.
• The products may be confiscated or returned to the country of origin by customs.
• The buyer may receive goods that do not meet the specified quantity.

How to Get a PSI Certificate for Products?

To obtain a certificate of pre-shipment inspection, you need to reach out and request an inspection from a certified agency to inspect your products. The agency will evaluate your product and return a report with their findings. If the inspections are for customs purposes, the products often have to match specific standards to issue a Certificate of Conformity.

Conclusion: A Guide to Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSI Certificate)

Pre shipment inspection certificates are documents that prove the compliance of a certain good to an agreement or set of specifications. These certifications can sometimes be required by the customs control and only be issued by an accredited TPI agency.

Are you looking for a pre shipment inspection certificate agency? AQM BD is accredited by multiple international regulatory bodies and standards, including ISO17020:2012 for inspections by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS). We have helped over 50,000 clients worldwide and can start your pre shipment inspection anywhere in Asia, within 72 hours. Contact us today to learn more!