SourcingCraft Insights · Sample Inspection Guide · 2026-09-24
Sample Inspection Checklist: How to Check Samples from China
Receiving a sample from a China supplier is a useful moment in the buying process. Before you approve it for mass production, take the time to check the sample against your specification. This checklist walks through the key points: appearance, dimensions, materials, function, packaging, and how to compare everything to your spec sheet.
Why inspect samples after they arrive?
Many quality problems can be traced back to small differences between the sample and the final order. Inspecting the sample carefully helps you confirm the supplier understood your specification before production begins. It is also a chance to correct details early, when changes are still inexpensive.
How do you check appearance?
Start with the visible side: color, surface finish, and overall cleanliness. Compare the sample to your reference color or photo in daylight, not only under office lighting. Look for scratches, burrs, uneven printing, or misplaced logos. Take close-up photos of any marks or variations so you can show the supplier exactly what you mean.
How do you check dimensions?
Use a caliper or ruler to measure the key dimensions listed on your spec sheet instead of relying on a quick look. If you ordered multiple samples, measure at least two or three units, because slight differences between units can show how consistent the production line is. Record each measurement next to the target value and note any deviations.
How do you verify materials?
Compare weight and feel against your reference if you have one. Simple checks can help: a magnet can indicate steel content, and a scratch or burn test can suggest whether the plastic is likely the grade you specified, but these are not lab results. For critical materials, ask the supplier for a material certificate or arrange a third-party test before mass production.
How do you test function?
Assemble or operate the sample the way an end user would. Repeat the action several times, not just once. If the product has moving parts, a display, or electronics, test each feature. Note any noise, wobble, lag, or failure, and record how many cycles it took before problems appeared.
What should you check in packaging?
Inspect the box or bag: does it match your requested design, size, and printing? Is the protective insert thick enough for shipping? Pack and shake the sample gently to get a rough sense of how it will survive transit, and ask the supplier for photos of the actual packaging process if damage protection matters to you.
How do you compare the sample with the spec sheet?
Go through your spec sheet line by line and mark each item as pass, minor deviation, or not acceptable. Keep a simple table with your measurements and observations, and attach photos. Send this record to the supplier and ask them to confirm or correct each point before you approve production.
Sample inspection is one of the checks SourcingCraft supports for buyers sourcing from China. If you need help reviewing samples, communicating with suppliers, or preparing for mass production, visit sourcingcraft.com to discuss your project.