In short: Many Chinese FRP makers accept third-party inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek before shipment. A good checklist covers dimensions and squareness against a signed sample, glass content by burn-off (ASTM D2584), Barcol hardness for cure, surface and grit adhesion, quantities and packing, and documents: a fire test report that names the lab, standard, resin and exact product.
What should the inspector check?
| Check | How |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | height, mesh, panel size, flatness, squareness |
| Glass content | burn-off (ignition loss) to ASTM D2584 |
| Cure | Barcol hardness on several panels |
| Surface | grit coverage and adhesion, color, no dry glass |
| Quantity and labels | count against the packing list |
| Packing | pallets, straps, corner guards |
Which documents should you ask for?
- Fire test report: lab name, report number, standard edition, resin and product.
- Factory QC records: for the batch shipped.
- Load test data: for the panel depth ordered.
- Commercial papers: packing list, invoice, certificate of origin.
How does a signed sample help?
Keep a signed, sealed sample from approval. It becomes the reference for every later shipment, so the inspector can compare like with like.
When should inspection happen?
- Agree the checklist in the contract.
- Inspect when production is complete and before loading.
- Release the balance payment after a pass.
- Repeat for each shipment.
See FRP quality control and importing FRP from China.
Sampling: how many pieces to check
Most pre-shipment inspections use ISO 2859-1 sampling plans. The inspector finds the lot-size code letter, uses general inspection level II unless another level is agreed, and applies the agreed acceptance quality limit (AQL). Agree the AQL for critical, major and minor defects in the purchase order. A common practice is zero for critical defects, with 2.5 for major and 4.0 for minor, but these are commercial choices, not fixed rules.
Inspection plan basics
| Item | Common practice | Agree in the PO |
|---|---|---|
| Sampling standard | ISO 2859-1, single sampling, normal inspection | Yes |
| Inspection level | General level II | If different |
| AQL critical / major / minor | 0 / 2.5 / 4.0 (common choice) | Yes, with defect definitions |
| Barcol hardness | ASTM D2583, compared with the resin maker’s value | Minimum value and number of readings |
Defect definitions for FRP
An AQL is only useful if everyone agrees what counts as critical, major or minor. Write simple definitions into the PO, for example:
- Critical: any defect that makes the part unsafe, such as a crack through a load-bearing bar or a wrong resin system.
- Major: dimension out of tolerance, missing grit, wrong color, unsealed cut edges, missing cut-outs.
- Minor: small cosmetic marks that do not affect function or corrosion resistance.
Tests the inspector can witness
- Barcol hardness on the surface, to ASTM D2583. See FRP quality control.
- Dimensional checks against the drawing, including cut-outs and hole positions.
- Load test on a sample panel, if agreed in advance.
- Packing and marking check against the packing list.
Third-party inspection companies such as SGS, Bureau Veritas and Intertek offer these services. Book the inspection early and send the inspector the drawings, the PO and the agreed checklist before the visit.
What to send the inspector before the visit
- Purchase order with quantities, tolerances and AQL.
- Approved drawings and any signed sample photos.
- Defect definitions (critical, major, minor).
- The test list and how many readings for each.
- Packing and marking requirements.
After the visit, the inspector issues a report with photos. Ask for it before you release the balance payment or the shipment, as agreed in the contract.
Common questions
- Who pays for inspection? Usually the buyer books and pays; agree re-inspection costs if the first visit fails.
- Can the inspector reject goods? The inspector reports; the buyer decides under the contract.
- Is a video inspection enough? It helps for small orders, but a site visit allows tests and random sampling.
For repeat orders, keep the same checklist and defect definitions. That makes reports comparable from one shipment to the next and shows whether quality is stable.
How FIBROVX can help
Tell us your inspection agency and checklist and we will build it into the order. Request a quote. CIF by default, FOB on request.
Common mistakes
- No signed sample: the inspector has nothing to compare against.
- Accepting any fire report: it must match your resin and product.
- Skipping burn-off: filler can hide low glass content.
- Inspecting after loading: problems are harder to fix.
Key terms
- Burn-off test: burning resin away to measure glass content.
- Barcol: hardness test that shows cure.
- PSI: pre-shipment inspection.
- Golden sample: signed reference sample.
FAQ
Do Chinese FRP makers accept SGS or BV inspection? Many do; agree it in the contract.
How do I check glass content? Ask for a burn-off test to ASTM D2584.
What makes a fire report valid? It names the lab, report number, standard, resin and the exact product tested.
When should inspection happen? After production and before loading.
Related guides
- FRP quality control
- FRP grating RFQ checklist
- Importing FRP from China
- MOQ, lead time and loading
- Request a quote
Sources
- A Chinese manufacturer, Buying FRP grating from China: QC checklist
- A Chinese manufacturer, gritted anti-slip FRP grating (QC and inspection)
- A Chinese manufacturer, certifications and third-party testing
- ISO 2859-1:1999, Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes — Part 1, https://www.iso.org/standard/1141.html
- ASTM D2583-24, Indentation Hardness of Rigid Plastics by Means of a Barcol Impressor, https://www.astm.org/d2583-24.html