Inspecting Electronics from China: What to Check Before Shipment
Check electronics before they leave China, not after they land. The checks that matter most are a function test on a sample of units, the exact model and rating on every label, the certificates your market needs, and how batteries are packed and declared for shipping. A defect found in the factory costs a rework; the same defect found at your door costs a return across an ocean.
1. Agree what “good” means before production
Write down the model number, input and output ratings, cable length, colour, accessories in the box and packaging. Approve one golden sample and keep it. Every later check compares against that sample, not against the supplier’s photos.
2. Function test a sample of units
Power each sampled unit on, run it through its main functions and record the results: charging current, connectivity, buttons, display, heat after 15 minutes of use. For larger orders, inspectors draw the sample size from an AQL table (ISO 2859-1); for a few hundred units, testing 20 to 30 units across different cartons is a common practical choice.
3. Read every label
- Model number and ratings match the approved sample and the documents.
- Required marks for your market are printed correctly, for example FCC information for the US, CE or UKCA for Europe and the UK, or BIS registration details for India.
- Barcodes scan, and FNSKU labels are on the right units if you sell on Amazon.
4. Ask for certificates before you pay
Test reports and registrations belong to a specific model and factory. Ask the supplier for them before you approve the quote and check that the model names match. Radio devices sold in the US need FCC equipment authorization; see the FCC equipment authorization page (checked 2026-10-29).
5. Batteries change how goods ship
Lithium batteries must pass UN 38.3 testing and be packed and declared as dangerous goods for transport; see the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (checked 2026-10-29). Ask for the UN 38.3 summary and the safety data sheet early, because some air routes do not take batteries at all and sea freight may be the practical option.
6. Cartons and drop risk
Check inner boxes, foam inserts and outer carton strength. A carton that crushes on the photo is a carton that will crush in a container.
What a photo check covers, and what it does not
Our photo check before dispatch covers cartons, quantity, specifications, colours and visible damage, and we power on sample units when you ask. It is not a full laboratory test. For certification testing or a formal AQL report, we arrange a third-party inspection, quoted separately.
How Richitoo handles electronics orders
We compare three suppliers on your specification, ask for the certificates your market needs before you approve, and quote one all-in price delivered to your door. Service fee: 3% of the goods value, minimum US$49. Quotes are free; you pay the 3% service fee only after you approve the quote and place the order. Try the price estimator or send your product for a quote.
All-in price example
US$2,000 of goods to the United States: service fee US$60 (3%), sea freight door to door about US$192–632, estimated all-in about US$2,252–2,692. Example only, from our freight rates of 2026-10-27; your formal quote is the final price, and import duties and local taxes are listed separately. Try your own numbers.
Quick checklist
- Golden sample approved and kept.
- Function test on a sample from different cartons.
- Labels and ratings match the documents.
- Certificates checked for your market before payment.
- Battery documents ready (UN 38.3, safety data sheet).
- Carton strength and inner packing checked.
Want us to run this list for you? Request a quote and our AI-assisted sourcing team replies within 60 minutes, 24/7.
Want Luna to compare suppliers for you?
Send a product link or specification, quantity and destination. You get a side-by-side comparison of three suppliers and one written quote. Nothing is bought before you approve it.
Get a free quote for your product
Free PDF: The China Sourcing Checklist, 12 mistakes to avoid before you pay →