What Happens When a Shipment Fails Inspection
A shipment fails inspection when the product does not meet the agreed specification — drawing, dimension, finish, or functional test.
Immediate sequence
- Hold the container
Container is held at the port or warehouse. No further movement until the decision is made. - Inspection report issued
Luckee (or your nominated inspector) issues a full report with photos, measurements, and defect list. The buyer receives a copy within 24–48 hours. - Buyer decision window
The buyer has a defined window (usually 7–10 days) to:
- Accept as-is with a corrective action plan
- Approve with a deviation (if the defect is minor and the buyer accepts the risk)
- Require a Corrective Action Report (CAR) from the factory
- Reject and demand return or replacement - If CAR is required
The factory must provide:
- Root-cause analysis
- Corrective action plan
- Evidence of implementation (photos, test data, updated records)
- Re-inspection or re-shipment - Final release
Once the buyer signs off on the CAR and any re-inspection, the container is released for shipping.
Buyer actions before the shipment even leaves the factory
- Choose the right AQL level (critical, major, minor)
- Define the exact defect categories in advance
- Decide whether payment is tied to inspection sign-off
- Have a contingency supplier or factory ready
The notes above are short on purpose — longer evergreen guidance belongs in the Resources section.
Source: Luckee internal process note
Keep reading: Factory audit checklist