A pre-shipment inspection in Cambodia checks whether the finished goods match the order before they leave the factory. Buyers should look at production status, quantity, SKU mix, workmanship, measurements, function, labels, barcodes, packing and carton information.

At UTS, a Final Random Inspection (FRI) is normally arranged when 100% of the goods are finished and at least 80% are packed. This gives our team enough finished goods and final packing to check the shipment properly.

Cambodia's garment, footwear and travel goods sector had 1,810 firms in 2025 and accounted for 51.8% of the country's total exports, according to Better Work.^[1] These orders often include many sizes, colors and SKUs. The total quantity can be correct while the actual size mix, SKU mix or carton packing is still wrong.

Check Order Readiness

Before checking product quality, first make sure the order is ready for a final inspection.

• 100% of production should be finished.
• At least 80% of the goods should be packed.
• All important SKUs should be available.
• All required sizes and colors should be available.
• Final labels should already be applied where possible.
• Retail packing and export cartons should be ready.
• The goods should be at the stated inspection location.

Do not rely on a general answer such as "almost finished." Ask for the actual finished quantity and packed quantity.

For example, a 20,000-piece garment order may include five colors. If one color is still unfinished, checking the other four colors does not show the condition of the full order.

Packing status also matters. If production is complete but most cartons are still open or unpacked, our team can check the products, but final packing checks will be limited.

Check	What to Confirm	Why It Matters
Finished quantity	100% of the order	Unfinished goods cannot be included in the final inspection
Packed quantity	At least 80%	Final packing cannot be checked properly if too little is packed
SKUs	Important styles or models are available	Missing SKUs cannot be included in the sample
Sizes and colors	Required variants are available	Problems may only appear in one size or color
Final packaging	Retail and export packing is ready	Labels, carton ratios and carton marks need final packing

If production is still around 30%–50% complete, a During Production Inspection (DPI) may be more suitable. If production is already close to complete but does not yet meet the FRI conditions, the order is simply not ready for final inspection. It should not automatically be treated as a DPI.

Confirm the Final Specification

The inspection should use the latest approved product and packing information.

Depending on the order, buyers may need to provide:

• purchase order;
• product specification;
• approved sample information;
• technical drawings;
• size chart and measurement tolerances;
• approved colors;
• artwork;
• SKU list;
• label files;
• barcode list;
• packing instructions;
• carton assortment;
• accessories list;
• and required on-site test methods.

A common problem is that different documents show different requirements.

For example, the original purchase order may say 24 pieces per carton, but the buyer later changes it to 20 pieces. If the packing instruction is not updated, the goods may be checked against the old packing quantity.

The same thing can happen with measurements, size labels, care labels, artwork, accessories, barcode numbers and carton marks.

Our office team reviews the available inspection information before arranging the inspection. If two approved documents do not match, the correct version should be confirmed first.

Check Cambodia Product Risks

Garments, footwear and travel goods are important product groups in Cambodia. The World Bank also lists garments, travel goods and footwear among the country's main export categories.^[2]

For buyers, the main issue is simple: these orders often have many sizes, colors, SKUs and packing combinations. A problem may only affect one part of the order, so the inspection should cover the available variants properly.

Garments: Our team may check stitching, seams, fabric condition, printing, embroidery, buttons, zippers, measurements, size labels, care labels, folding, polybags and carton assortment. Our apparel inspection guidance covers these points in more detail.

A garment can be well made but still be wrong. For example, a piece may match the approved size L measurements but carry an M label. The sewing is fine, but the product information is wrong.

Footwear: The size and product information should match at every step:

shoe → pair → retail box → master carton

A shoe marked size 42 inside a box marked size 41 is still a problem, even if the shoe itself looks fine.

Footwear checks may include pair matching, size, color and shade, stitching, bonding, upper condition, outsole, insole, logo, accessories, retail-box information and carton assortment.

Bags and travel goods: Parts that are used often or carry weight need close checking. Our bag inspection checklist covers stitching, zippers, handles, straps, hardware and other common points.

For example, a zipper check should look for sticking, separation, damaged teeth, slider problems and fabric getting caught.

Handle and strap attachment points should be checked for loose stitching, tearing or weak construction.

If the buyer asks for a load test, pull test or another special test, the test method, sample quantity, load and test time should come from the approved inspection requirement. Our team should not create a test value during the inspection.

Check Quantity and SKU Mix

Checking only the total quantity is not enough.

Our team may need to check:

• total order quantity;
• style or model;
• color;
• size;
• SKU;
• quantity per carton;
• packing ratio;
• and carton marking.

Take this 10,000-piece garment order as an example:

Size	Ordered Quantity
S	1,500
M	3,000
L	3,000
XL	2,000
XXL	500
Total	10,000

The factory may have exactly 10,000 pieces but still be short 300 XL pieces and have 300 extra M pieces.

The total is correct, but the size mix is wrong.

The same problem can happen inside a carton.

If the approved packing ratio is:

• 4 × S;
• 8 × M;
• 8 × L;
• 4 × XL;

the carton should contain 24 pieces.

A carton with 24 pieces is still wrong if it contains 6 × S, 10 × M, 6 × L and 2 × XL.

For orders with many SKUs, total quantity, SKU quantity and carton assortment should be checked separately.

The carton mark should also match the goods inside. If the carton says Style A / Black / Size L / 24 pcs, the actual contents should match.

Use AQL Correctly

A normal FRI checks a random sample instead of every unit in the order.

ISO 2859-1:2026 is the current ISO standard for acceptance sampling by attributes. It provides AQL-based sampling plans for choosing sample sizes and deciding whether the sample meets the agreed limits.^[3]

The sample size is not based on a fixed percentage of the order. It depends on the lot size, inspection level, sample-size code and agreed AQL.

For example, the UTS AQL reference used in our inspection planning shows:

• lot size: 4,000 units;
• General Inspection Level II;
• sample-size code: L;
• sample size: 200 units;
• AQL 2.5 example acceptance number: 10;
• rejection number: 11.

This example only shows how the table works. It is not a fixed setting for every order. Buyers can also review our sampling table reference.

AQL 2.5 does not mean that a shipment with 2.5% defective products is automatically accepted. The result depends on the sample size and the acceptance and rejection numbers in the agreed sampling plan.

The main AQL sample also does not mean every other check uses the same sample quantity. Measurements, function tests, packing tests and barcode checks may use different sample sizes based on the approved inspection requirement.

Classify Defects Clearly

Defects are normally grouped as critical, major or minor. The final classification should follow the product risk and the buyer's approved defect rules. Our defect classification reference explains these groups in more detail.

Defect Level	What It Means	Example
Critical	May create an unacceptable safety risk or break a critical requirement	A product-specific safety issue listed as critical in the inspection criteria
Major	Affects normal use, saleability or an important specification	Broken zipper, missing component, wrong model or serious open seam
Minor	A small appearance or workmanship problem that does not greatly affect normal use	A small cosmetic or finishing issue, depending on buyer criteria

Where the problem appears also matters. A loose thread may be minor, while an open seam at a stress point may be major. A wrong size label can also be serious because the product may be stored or sold under the wrong size.

Check Workmanship Across the Order

Samples should not come only from the easiest carton or the most convenient SKU.

Problems can be different between:

• colors;
• sizes;
• SKUs;
• production batches;
• and product variants.

One color may have repeated stains while another does not. One size may show the same sewing or measurement problem on several samples. A bag variant may use different hardware or accessories.

A useful inspection report should show:

• what the problem is;
• where it appears;
• how many times it was found;
• which SKU or variant is affected;
• and whether the same problem appears more than once.

Photos should clearly show the actual problem so the buyer can understand what was found.

Check Measurements

A product can look correct but still be the wrong size.

Measurements should be checked against approved specifications, drawings, size charts and tolerances.

For garments, this may include chest, body length, sleeve, shoulder, waist, hip or inseam. For bags, it may include length, width, height, strap length or handle drop.

The tolerance needs to be clear. "About 50 cm" is difficult to judge. "50 cm ± 1 cm" gives a clear range of 49–51 cm.

Buyers should also look at repeated measurement problems.

For example, if the approved width is 50 cm ± 1 cm, a result of 48.9 cm is outside the allowed range. If several samples from the same SKU measure around 48.7–48.9 cm, the problem may affect more than one piece.

The report should show which measurement failed, how far it was outside the limit and whether the same issue appeared on several samples.

Check Product Functions

If a product has a function, it should be checked using the approved test method.

Depending on the product, this may include:

• zippers;
• locks;
• buckles;
• buttons;
• switches;
• hinges;
• timers;
• indicator lights;
• charging;
• moving parts;
• assembly;
• and accessories.

A report that only says "zipper works" does not tell the buyer much.

A better check records whether the zipper opens and closes normally, whether the slider sticks, whether the teeth separate and whether material gets caught.

If the buyer requires a set number of operating cycles, test time, load, voltage or another measurable condition, our team follows that approved requirement. We should not create a new test limit during the inspection.

Check Labels and Barcodes

Labels should be checked against the approved product information, not just checked to see whether they are present.

This may include:

• model;
• SKU;
• size;
• color;
• care label;
• composition information;
• rating information;
• warnings;
• retail packaging;
• and user instructions.

For footwear, the information should match through shoe → pair → retail box → carton. For bags, it may follow product → hangtag → retail package → carton.

If a safety or conformity mark is included in the inspection scope, our team can compare the visible mark, model, rating information and other printed details with the approved documents supplied for inspection.

This is only an information check. It is not certification. For CE marking, for example, the European Commission states that the manufacturer is responsible for the required conformity assessment, technical documents, EU declaration of conformity and CE marking where the rules apply.^[4]

For barcodes, the check is simple:

print → scan → data → product match

• Check whether the barcode is printed clearly and is not damaged or covered.
• Scan the barcode.
• Check the scanned data.
• Confirm that the data matches the correct product, SKU and label.

When barcode verification is included in the inspection scope, 100% of the checked barcode samples must scan successfully.

If 40 barcodes are checked, all 40 should scan. If only 39 scan, the barcode check does not meet the required 100% readability for the checked samples.

A barcode can also scan successfully and still be wrong. For example, a barcode on Product A may scan but return the SKU for Product B. In that case, the scanning works, but the data is wrong.

Any unreadable barcode should be recorded, corrected and checked again according to the client's requirements.

Check Packaging and Cartons

Packaging should follow the approved packing instructions and give the product enough protection for storage and transport.

Our team may check:

• polybags;
• retail boxes;
• inserts and manuals;
• accessories;
• protective materials;
• inner cartons;
• master cartons;
• sealing;
• quantity per carton;
• packing assortment;
• and shipping marks.

Visible problems may include crushed corners, torn cartons, damaged sealing, missing protection, too much movement inside the package, wrong retail boxes or missing accessories.

If our team sees damp marks, soft carton board, condensation or water marks, these conditions should be recorded because they may increase storage or transport risk. We should not use a fixed humidity percentage or moisture limit unless the buyer has approved one for that product and inspection scope.

If a carton drop test is included, it should follow the agreed test method. After the test, both the carton and the goods inside should be checked for damage.

Carton information should also match the actual contents. Depending on the order, this may include SKU, color, size, quantity, carton number, PO number, barcode, weight, dimensions or destination marks.

If the buyer also wants the container condition, carton count during loading and final sealing checked while the goods are loaded, this is handled separately through Container Loading Supervision.

Know What FRI Cannot Confirm

FRI gives buyers useful information about the finished order, but it does not check everything.

FRI uses sampling. A normal FRI does not check every unit. A passing sample does not mean every piece in the order is defect-free. If every unit needs to be checked for a certain requirement, 100% Product Inspection is a different inspection service.

FRI is not laboratory testing. On-site inspection can check appearance, measurements, labels, basic functions and other agreed field tests. Electrical, chemical, material, EMC and other technical tests may need laboratory equipment and controlled test methods. ISO/IEC 17025:2017 sets requirements for testing and calibration laboratories.^[5] Our Product Testing vs. Product Inspection article explains the difference.

FRI is not certification. UTS is a third-party inspection company. We do not issue product certifications, and an inspection report does not prove that every rule in the destination market has been met.

FRI does not make the buyer's shipping decision. Our team records the findings. The buyer decides whether to accept, hold, correct, re-inspect or release the goods.

Choose the Right Inspection Stage

FRI is the final-stage check, but some problems are better found earlier.

Inspection	Typical Production Stage	When It Helps
IPI	About 5%–10% produced	New products, complex orders, new or higher-risk suppliers, early material or specification checks
DPI	About 30%–50% produced	High-value orders, long production schedules and problems that need correction before production is finished
FRI	100% produced and at least 80% packed	Final quantity, quality, labels, packing and shipment-readiness checks

For example, if a new bag uses the wrong lining or zipper from the start, finding the problem during IPI gives the buyer more time to ask for correction. If the same issue is only found at FRI, a much larger part of the order may already be affected.

The inspection stage should match the order risk. More inspection stages are not always needed.

Handle an Incomplete Order

Sometimes the inspection date arrives but the order is still not ready.

Examples include:

• 92% of production completed;
• only 60% packed;
• an important SKU unavailable;
• final labels not applied;
• retail packaging unfinished;
• or part of the goods stored at another location.

These conditions should be recorded clearly. If production is already close to complete, this does not automatically mean the visit becomes a DPI.

The report should state:

• how much production was available;
• how much was packed;
• which SKUs were available;
• which SKUs were missing;
• what could be checked;
• and what could not be confirmed.

If an important SKU is missing, it cannot be included in the sample. If most cartons are still unpacked, the final carton assortment cannot be fully checked.

The buyer can then decide whether to use the available findings, wait for completion, postpone the FRI or arrange another inspection after the remaining work is finished.

Read the Report Before Shipping

Do not make the shipping decision from one "Pass" or "Fail" line.

Check the report in this order:

1. Production status: Was the order complete and was enough of it packed?
2. Quantity: Were all important SKUs, sizes and colors available?
3. Sampling: Was the agreed random sample used?
4. Defects: What critical, major and minor defects were found?
5. Measurements: Were failed measurements isolated or repeated?
6. Functions: Did any required function or on-site test fail?
7. Labels and barcodes: Did the information match the correct product and SKU?
8. Packaging: Were packing ratios, carton contents and carton marks correct?
9. Photos and remarks: Were there missing SKUs, unfinished work or other limits to the inspection?

An order can meet the agreed AQL result and still have another important problem, such as a quantity shortage, wrong size ratio, repeated measurement failure or unreadable barcode.

If problems are found, the next step may be sorting, rework, replacement, repacking, relabeling, barcode correction, completion of missing quantity or extra testing.

If a large part of the order is repaired, sorted or repacked, a few photos may not be enough to show that all affected goods have been corrected. Depending on the problem and the buyer's requirements, another random inspection or a defined 100% recheck after a failed FRI may be considered.

Buyer Checklist

• 100% of production is complete and at least 80% is packed.
• All important SKUs, sizes and colors were available.
• Total quantity and SKU assortment match the purchase order.
• Packing ratios match the approved packing instruction.
• Workmanship meets the agreed criteria.
• Measurements are within the approved tolerances.
• Required functions and on-site tests were completed.
• Components and accessories are correct.
• Labels and retail packaging match the correct SKU.
• 100% of checked barcodes are readable.
• Scanned barcode data matches the product and label.
• Carton contents match carton markings.
• Visible packaging damage or dampness was recorded.
• Critical, major and minor findings were reviewed.
• Measurement, function, barcode and packing problems were reviewed separately from the main AQL result.
• Any limits caused by unfinished production or packing were understood.
• Required corrective work was completed.
• Re-inspection was considered when a large amount of rework or sorting was required.

Shipment Release Review

A pre-shipment inspection in Cambodia should show whether the order is complete, whether the correct SKUs and quantities are packed, and whether the checked products meet the agreed requirements. For FRI, production should be 100% complete and at least 80% packed. A passing AQL result is not enough if the order still has a quantity shortage, wrong packing ratio, repeated measurement problem or unreadable barcode. Our team records these points so the buyer can decide whether the goods need correction, another inspection or can move forward to shipment.