The five major items for machinery inspection are: ① Quantity and Identification (unit count matching the contract + nameplate specifications); ② Specifications and Configuration (item-by-item verification against the technical agreement: power/precision/control system); ③ Quality Inspection (appearance/welding/assembly/oil leaks/corrosion); ④ Trial Run with Material (FAT: no-load test + trial production with material to verify actual performance); and ⑤ Packaging Inspection (moisture protection/shock absorption/securing/shipping marks)—shipment proceeds only after passing inspection (detecting issues before shipment minimizes costs).
I.
Quantity and Identification
Unit Count (matches contract/invoice); Nameplate (model/power/voltage/serial number; verify against contract technical agreement); Included Items (item-by-item check of accessories/tools/spare parts list); Documentation (manual/certificate of conformity/warranty card)—quantity and nameplate constitute the first checkpoint (discrepancies are immediately exposed).
II.
Specifications and Configuration
Technical Agreement (item-by-item verification: precision/load capacity/speed/control system model); Key Components (motor/gear reducer/PLC brand and model match the quotation); Voltage Standard (voltage and frequency of the destination country); Certifications (CE/UL marks match the certificates)—configuration verification prevents “downgrading” (e.g., quoting Motor A but installing Motor B is a common deceptive practice).
III. Quality Inspection
Appearance (paintwork, welds, dents, corrosion); Assembly (bolt tightness, clearances, proper lubrication); Leakage (checks for hydraulic or oil leaks); Electrical (wiring standards, protection, grounding); Machine Test (no-load run: checking for abnormal noise, vibration, and temperature rise)—three visual checks covering appearance, assembly, and no-load operation (most manufacturing defects are visible to the naked eye).
IV. Trial Run with Material (FAT)
No-load Test (normal noise, vibration, and temperature levels);
Trial Production with Material (using customer-supplied material to verify precision, speed, and yield against technical specifications); Parameter Recording (archiving test data for comparison with acceptance criteria); Video Documentation (recording the entire trial process)—the FAT with material is the core of the inspection (focusing on performance verification rather than just appearance).
V. Packaging and Third-Party Inspection
Packaging (moisture-proof film, shock absorption, secure crating, center-of-gravity marking);
Shipping Marks (consignee, case number, gross weight); Third-Party: Pre-shipment inspection by SGS, BV, or CCIC (reports serve as the basis for claims); Photography (documentation before packaging and during container loading)—dual assurance via packaging checks and third-party reports (packaging for long-distance sea freight is the final line of defense for quality).
Overseas Buyer Inspection Checklist: A step-by-step review of five key areas—quantity and nameplate, specifications and configuration, appearance quality, trial run with material, and packaging/shipping marks;
supported by third-party inspection (SGS/BV) and video records of the trial run;
shipment is authorized only after the inspection passes.
