In short: Quality control for Irish importers means two things: a factory audit before you place a large order (checking the factory is who they say they are and can actually produce at your volume), and a pre-shipment inspection before you pay the balance (checking the actual goods against your spec using AQL sampling). Budget roughly EUR 250-500 for a standard factory audit and EUR 200-400 for a pre-shipment inspection in China, done by a local third-party QC team.

Last updated: August 13, 2026

What is a factory audit and do Irish importers actually need one?

A factory audit is an on-site visit that verifies a supplier's business licence, production capacity, equipment, and working conditions before you commit to a large order. For Irish SMEs placing their first order over roughly EUR 10,000, or moving to a new factory, an audit is the difference between finding out a supplier can't actually handle your volume before you pay a deposit - not after.

Audits typically cover: legal registration and business licence checks, factory size and machinery relevant to your product, existing client references, and basic social compliance (working hours, safety).

How does AQL sampling work for pre-shipment inspections?

Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL) sampling is the industry-standard method for checking a batch of finished goods without inspecting every single unit. An inspector pulls a statistically representative sample size based on your total order quantity and checks it against agreed defect limits.

AQL 2.5 is standard for general consumer goods; Irish importers of children's products, electronics, or anything safety-critical should tighten this to AQL 1.5 or lower.

What does quality control cost, and who pays for it?

In 2026, Irish importers typically pay a third-party QC inspector in China EUR 200-400 per inspection day (most pre-shipment inspections take one day), plus EUR 250-500 for a full factory audit. The importer pays for QC directly - it's a separate line item from the goods themselves, and it's non-negotiable if you want an independent result rather than the factory grading its own homework.

What extra checks do Irish and EU importers need beyond standard QC?

Because Ireland is in the EU single market, products need to meet EU rules, not just general quality standards. On top of AQL inspection, check for: CE marking where applicable (electronics, toys, machinery), correct EU-format labelling (including an EU-based responsible person's address for certain categories), and REACH compliance for chemical content in textiles, cosmetics, and plastics. A factory that regularly ships to the EU already understands these - one that only ships domestically within China may not.

FAQ

Can I do a factory audit remotely instead of visiting in person?

Yes - most Irish importers use a local third-party QC company to conduct the audit in person on their behalf and send a full report with photos, rather than flying to China themselves. This is standard practice and far more cost-effective for a single audit.

What happens if a shipment fails the pre-shipment inspection?

You have the right to withhold the balance payment until the factory corrects the defects and the goods are re-inspected. This is exactly why the standard 30/70 payment split exists - it protects your leverage at the one point where you can still act before the goods ship.

Is a factory audit a one-time thing or should it be repeated?

Repeat it if you significantly increase order volume, change product categories with the same factory, or haven't ordered from them in over a year - conditions and staff can change more than importers expect.

Do small Irish businesses really need professional QC, or can I just ask for photos?

Photos supplied by the factory show what the factory wants you to see. An independent inspector checks a random sample against your actual specification and reports defects the factory has no incentive to disclose - this is the entire point of third-party QC.

How do I find a QC inspector in China if I don't have contacts there?

Most Irish importers use a sourcing agent with an existing, vetted QC network rather than hiring an unknown freelance inspector - it removes the risk of the inspector being influenced by the factory.

How Epic Sourcing helps

Epic Sourcing's bilingual QC teams on the ground in China and Vietnam run factory audits and AQL pre-shipment inspections as a standard part of every project, with EU compliance checks built in for Irish and European clients. See our quality control service or get in touch to discuss your next inspection.

Related reading: How to Verify a Chinese Supplier: Factory Audits & Due Diligence | Quality Control & Factory Audits: The US Importer's Guide | How to Find a Sourcing Agent in Ireland