DUPRO / in-process product inspection

During Production Inspection in China

Check selected goods while manufacturing is still underway, before the full order is finished and before recurring problems become harder to correct.

Request a DUPRO inspection

A during production inspection (DUPRO or DPI) is planned around the actual production stage, goods available and buyer specifications. Send the factory, order and production status so we can confirm the appropriate visit scope and availability.

Service role

Why inspect before production is complete?

A during production inspection checks accessible partly finished and finished products from the current production run against agreed buyer references. It answers a different question from pre-shipment inspection: whether the process is producing acceptable goods while there may still be time to respond.

DUPRO is especially relevant for repeat defects, new product versions, mixed variants and orders where waiting until the shipment deadline could leave little time for corrective action. The goal is not to supervise every production step, but to record selected observations that the buyer can discuss with the supplier.

There is no single universal completion percentage for DUPRO. The right moment depends on what has actually been produced, whether enough comparable units can be accessed, the risks of the order and how much manufacturing remains. A claimed production percentage should be confirmed against what can be observed.

Buyer decision

When a DUPRO visit is the useful next step

Recurring workmanship defects

Check whether defects reported in a previous batch or early sample appear again in available production units before more goods are completed.

New model or specification

Review first available production output against the latest drawings, approved sample, colour, materials and performance instructions that can be checked onsite.

Multiple sizes, colours or versions

Compare the variants actually produced with the purchase-order breakdown. Record variants that have not yet been made rather than assuming they conform.

Order already complete?

If finished products and export cartons are ready for release, a pre-shipment inspection usually answers the more relevant shipment-stage question.

Scope considerations

What can be checked during manufacturing?

Choose relevant checks before the visit; an inspector can only assess available goods, documents and permitted areas.

Production status

Observe the order quantities and variants presented as completed, in process or not yet started; compare reported progress with available evidence.

Workmanship and finish

Check accessible units for product-specific visible defects, assembly issues, loose parts, stitching, surface finish or consistency with approved samples.

Dimensions and configuration

Measure agreed characteristics and compare selected units with current specifications, drawings and tolerances using practical onsite methods.

Basic onsite function

Perform agreed safe and feasible checks where suitable equipment and test instructions are available. Laboratory and endurance results remain separate.

Materials, parts and variants

Compare visible components, colour, size or supplied material references where observable; unseen composition and chemical claims require specialist testing.

Packaging readiness

Review any available retail packs, labels, accessories and shipping-mark samples. Final packing cannot be approved if it has not been produced yet.

Illustrative production-stage discrepancies

Issues worth detecting before the last unit is made

These are examples of what a defined visit could reveal; they are not claimed YiwuQC case results.

The same defect repeats

A visible fault appears in multiple accessible units, suggesting the buyer should ask whether the supplier has identified and addressed the cause.

Production units differ from the approved sample

Colour, construction, dimensions, accessories or finish differ from the buyer's current reference.

One variant is missing

Only some sizes, models or colours exist at the visit, limiting conclusions about the remaining assortment.

Packing is not ready

Artwork, labels or export cartons are not available for comparison, so packaging-related requirements remain open.

Planning sequence

Plan a mid-production inspection with useful evidence

Provide the current order and risk
Identify product models, purchase-order quantities, supplier address, key defects to avoid and the decision you must make.
Confirm real production readiness
Ask the supplier which quantities and variants will actually be accessible, including partly finished and completed units, on the proposed date.
Agree practical checks and sampling
Define approved references, critical characteristics, inspection depth and sampling approach for available goods.
Review discrepancies while work continues
Use photos, observations and identified limits to discuss corrections, a follow-up check or later final PSI with the supplier.

Buyer inputs

Information to prepare

Provide what is available and identify gaps rather than allowing assumptions to become criteria.

Factory address, onsite contact and consent for relevant access
Purchase order, SKU breakdown and ordered quantities
Verified production status and units available on the proposed day
Current specifications, technical drawings and revision numbers
Approved sample, product photos and permissible tolerances
Known defects or unresolved issues from earlier production
Onsite functional checks, tools and safety conditions if relevant
Packaging, marking and labelling references if already available

Inspection evidence

Evidence to support a production-stage decision

The report should distinguish observed units from production status reported by the factory.

Production-stage snapshot

Accessible production status, available variants, observed quantities and limits of site access.

Product findings

Selected-unit results against agreed workmanship, dimensions, visible configuration and feasible basic functional checks.

Defect documentation

Clear descriptions and photos of deviations seen in checked units, without extrapolating to all uninspected goods.

Open issues for follow-up

Unavailable variants, incomplete packaging, checks not possible onsite and items the buyer may want to recheck at PSI.

Clear boundaries

What this service cannot prove

An onsite DUPRO visit is a snapshot, not permanent production-line monitoring or a guarantee of delivery dates.

Sampling of units made so far cannot prove the quality of goods that do not yet exist or have not been inspected.

Defect correction belongs to the supplier and commercial acceptance belongs to the buyer; follow-up verification requires a separately agreed scope.

AQL, sampling levels and completion thresholds are not universally applicable without defining the lot, available units and product risks.

Safety, material chemistry, durability, regulatory compliance and laboratory testing require separately arranged qualified testing where relevant.

Related service guidance

Choose the next stage

In-process evidence can complement, but does not replace, earlier readiness or final shipment checks.

Buyer questions

During Production Inspection in China FAQ

What does DUPRO stand for?

DUPRO means During Production Inspection, also called DPI or in-process inspection. It checks accessible goods from an ongoing production run rather than an already completed shipment.

At what percentage of production should DUPRO happen?

There is no reliable universal percentage. Schedule it when representative production units exist, relevant checks are possible and sufficient manufacturing remains for the buyer to act on findings.

Can the inspector make the factory stop production?

Not automatically. The inspection documents findings. The buyer and supplier decide any process change, stoppage, correction or commercial response under their agreement.

Do I still need pre-shipment inspection after DUPRO?

Often yes if finished quantities, final assortment, packing and shipment readiness matter. A mid-production observation cannot cover units made later.

Can the same visit check every unit?

DUPRO is usually a defined inspection of accessible selected goods. A 100% or piece-by-piece check is a separately planned scope with different timing and resources.

Plan an in-process inspection

Need evidence before the order is finished?

Send the factory location, products, current production stage, available quantities, buyer references and quality concerns. We can review a workable DUPRO scope, timing and quote before confirming availability.

Request a production-stage check

Simple, transparent pricing

One clear daily rate. No guesswork.

Independent product inspections, supplier verification and factory audits. Choose where your on-site service takes place.

Pricing explained

Yiwu

Local rate

$199 USD / person-day

On-site inspection and verification services in Yiwu.

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Rest of China

Nationwide rate

$249 USD / person-day

On-site services outside Yiwu, including other cities in Zhejiang.