Quality control on an imported furniture order has one purpose: to find problems while they are still fixable. After the container sails, the only remaining options are repair, replacement or acceptance — all of them expensive.
This checklist is the structure we use. It is written to be used by someone inspecting goods they did not manufacture.
Before inspection
- Approved sample or approved finish reference available on site
- Approved specification restated item by item
- Production quantities reconciled against the order
- Inspection scheduled at a point where rework is still possible
Workstations
- Worktop material, thickness and decor match the approved sample
- Edge banding is continuous, matched in colour and fully bonded — check corners and cut-outs
- Frame dimensions match the approved drawing; no racking or twist when assembled
- Screen fabric colour and weave match batch to batch across the order
- Cable tray, grommets and power provision present and aligned to the drawing
- Assembly test on one unit per configuration — not just inspection of parts
Seating
- Mechanism function tested: tilt, lock, tension and height adjustment
- Gas-lift cylinder class marking present and readable
- Foam density and seat resilience consistent between units in the same batch
- Stitching straight, tensioned and free of loose thread or puckering
- Base and castors: no cracks, correct castor type for the floor finish
- Upholstery colour consistent across the batch — check under daylight, not factory lighting
Storage
- Runner operation smooth under load; soft-close function where specified
- Lock and master-key system tested across a sample of units
- Finish matched to the workstation specification where the project requires it
- Board thickness and back panel fixed correctly — check for drumming
- Shelf load capacity and support positions as specified
Executive joinery and reception
- Veneer grain direction and matching consistent across adjacent units
- Lacquer: no orange peel, runs, or sanding marks; gloss level matches the approved sample
- Leather inlay alignment and stitching quality
- Cable routing and access panels function as drawn
- Stone or solid surface edges finished and joint lines minimised
Partitions
- Glass dimensions and thickness match the approved shop drawing
- Framing profiles aligned; no visible distortion or damage to powder coating
- Door hardware fitted and operating correctly
- Acoustic seals and gaskets present where specified
- Protection applied for transit; crates marked for reassembly sequence
What a report should contain
A useful inspection report contains dated photographs of the goods, a count against the order, a findings list separated into critical and minor items, and a clear statement of what will be corrected before packing. A report that says "quality is good" is not a report.
Who inspects
A third-party inspection adds independence, and it is worth it on large or specification-sensitive orders. What matters more than who inspects is that the inspection happens before packing, that findings are documented, and that the report reaches the buyer rather than being summarised.