Inspection is leverage. A shipment checked against a written standard before the balance is released is a shipment you can negotiate on; a shipment checked after the units are on the shelf is a write-off.
1. Sample at a Defensible Level
For a first order, inspect 100% of units up to 30 pieces. Beyond that, a general inspection level of 10–15% of cartons, drawn from the top, middle and bottom of the pallet, is enough to establish whether a production run is consistent. Record the carton numbers you opened so the sample is traceable.
2. The Seven Defects That Matter Commercially
Shedding at the weft under a 20-comb pass, matting after a single wash, incorrect density against the approved sample, mismatched colour between units in the same lot, lace aperture larger than specified, hairline knots not bleached to the agreed level, and cap measurements outside tolerance. Cosmetic issues matter less than these seven; they are what generate client returns.
3. Document the Claim the Day You Open the Carton
Photograph each defect against the unit's lot tag, with a scale reference in frame, and log it against the packing list. Claims submitted with lot tags, photographs and a count are settled in days; claims submitted as a general complaint about quality are settled as a discount, if at all.
