Pre-shipment inspection in Vietnam: what to specify

Pre-shipment inspection (PSI) is the single best risk-mitigation tool for buyers sourcing from Vietnam — yet many first-time buyers either skip it entirely or specify it so loosely that it provides no real protection. Here is the regime that actually works. Use a third party. Bureau Veritas, SGS, Intertek, TÜV Rheinland, AsiaInspection — all operate in Vietnam. Cost runs USD 280–550 per inspection day. A 1×40HQ container typically needs 1 inspector-day. The cost is roughly 0.5–1.0% of FOB value — trivial insurance against rejected containers. Specify AQL sampling. ISO 2859-1 / MIL-STD-105E. For typical consumer goods: General Inspection Level II, AQL 2.5 for major defects, AQL 4.0 for minor. The inspector pulls a random sample size from the lot, inspects against your spec sheet, and pass/fails. Inspection types to consider. - Initial Production Check (IPC): early in production, catches systematic spec deviation before scale-up. - During Production Inspection (DUPRO): mid-run, useful for orders >5,000 units or 30+ day production. - Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI): the standard — performed when 80%+ of order is finished and packed. - Container Loading Check (CLC): inspector witnesses loading, photographs container interior, seals container. For most buyers, PSI + CLC is the right combination. Provide a written checklist. Don't rely on the inspector to know your spec. Send: product spec sheet, packing spec, retail label spec, photographs of golden sample, defect classification (critical / major / minor), AQL targets. Hold payment until report passes. Standard payment terms for new Vietnam suppliers: 30% deposit, 70% balance against PSI pass + B/L copy. This aligns the supplier's incentive with passing inspection on first attempt. Common findings and fixes. Carton labelling errors (cheap to fix). Quantity short-ship (renegotiate or reship). Spec deviation in colour, size, finish (negotiate discount or rework). Major defects exceeding AQL: hold the shipment and renegotiate. 5B Trading coordinates third-party PSI as standard and includes the report copy in the buyer's pre-departure pack.