Pre-Shipment Inspection Cost in China (2026 Price Guide)
Pre-shipment inspection (PSI) prices in China vary from roughly USD 80 to USD 500+ per man-day, depending on who you hire. Here is what 2026 pricing really looks like and where the hidden costs sit.
The three price bands
| Provider type | Typical price (per man-day) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Independent inspector | USD 80 – 180 | One person, on-site sampling, a standard report. Fast, personal, variable quality. |
| Mid-size agency | USD 150 – 300 | Structured reports, some training, better coverage of non-PRD regions. |
| Global giants (SGS, BV, Intertek, TÜV) | USD 300 – 500+ | Brand recognition, standardized process, heavy paperwork; often used when your customer insists. |
Most buyers do not need the global-brand premium. They need a competent inspector who shows up, samples correctly, and reports honestly — at half the price.
What should be included
- Sampling per AQL (ISO 2859-1) at the agreed level.
- Functional testing and dimension checks for your product.
- Packaging, labelling and carton condition check.
- A written report with photos and defect classification within 24 hours.
Hidden charges to watch for
- Travel time billed as inspection time. Some firms charge travel at the full man-day rate. Ask for travel-inclusive quotes.
- Minimum billable days. A half-day job billed as a full day, or 0.5 day minimum hidden in the fine print.
- Report fees. Charging extra for the report itself or for a second language version.
- Expedite fees. "We can do it this week… for a surcharge."
How to compare quotes properly
- Ask for an all-in price for a specific scenario (e.g. 5,000 air fryers in Zhongshan, 1 inspector, 1 day, report in English).
- Compare per man-day, but confirm what a "man-day" means: 8 hours on site, travel excluded?
- Check whether the price includes the report or the report is a separate line.
- Ask who the actual inspector is. A salesperson's price list says little; the person on the factory floor decides quality.
A realistic budget rule
Budget roughly 0.1% – 0.5% of order value for quality assurance (inspection plus audit) on your first orders. For a USD 20,000 shipment that is USD 20–100 — less than the cost of one returned container, and it is what stands between you and that container.
Transparent, all-in inspection pricing
From USD 159 per man-day, travel included across the Pearl River Delta. Fixed quote before you commit.
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