Pre-Shipment Inspection & FAT Witness for Machinery from China
Once the balance is paid and the machine is on a ship, your leverage is gone. An independent inspection or FAT witness confirms the machine matches your contract and runs as promised — before you release the final payment.
What we check
- Configuration and specification vs. contract and PI
- Key component brands and serial numbers
- Test run against your FAT checklist and output targets
- Workmanship, safety guards, electrical and labels
- Manuals, certificates and shipping documents
- Packing, marking and loading condition
How it works
- 1
Request a quote
Send the factory city, machine, contract spec and planned test date.
- 2
Checklist and quote
We agree the checklist and return a fixed price and schedule.
- 3
Inspection / FAT witness
An inspector attends at the factory, records results, photos and videos.
- 4
Inspection report
Pass/fail per checklist item, deviations, and a recommendation on releasing the balance.
Pricing: request a fixed quote
Price depends on the machine, test duration and factory location, so we quote every inspection individually — no obligation.
Prepare your test with the free FAT checklist generator.
Sample report
See exactly what a delivered report looks like — risk signals, evidence gaps, questions to ask and payment recommendations — in our sample supplier risk report.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pre-shipment inspection for machinery?
An independent check of the finished machine at the factory before it ships: specification and configuration against your contract, key components and brands, workmanship, safety, labels, documents and packing.
What is a FAT witness?
A factory acceptance test (FAT) witness means an inspector attends while the supplier runs the machine under agreed conditions, records results against your checklist and reports deviations before you release the balance payment.
How much does inspection cost?
We quote each inspection individually based on machine type, test duration and factory location. Request a quote with the factory city, machine and planned test date.
When should I book it?
Book when the supplier confirms a production completion date — ideally 1–2 weeks ahead — and always before paying the balance.
Can you help me prepare the test checklist?
Yes. Start with our free FAT checklist generator, then we adapt it to your contract and machine.
Related guides and tools
Request an inspection quote
Send the supplier name, city, product and order value. We reply by email, usually within one business day.
Other verification services
Our reports are preliminary risk assessments based on evidence available at the time. They are not legal advice and do not guarantee supplier performance. See our disclaimer.