An inspection certificate validates that your perishable goods meet the required quality and regulatory standards for export and import. An inspection certificate states the legitimacy of your business and checks that your imported goods meet the quality standards and regulatory requirements. An independent inspection agency issues an inspection certificate, and a qualified authority thoroughly examines the perishable goods to ensure they align with the conditions clearly specified in the sales contract.
What information does an inspection certificate include?
An inspection certificate has all the relevant details to consider it an authorized trade document. Depending on the type of inspection and destination, some or all of the following may be included:
- Date of issue
- Date and place of inspection
- Applicant contact details
- The country of origin
- Goods description
- Number and date of the pro forma invoice
- Insurance policy number
- Number of packages
- The bill of lading number and date
- The gross weight
- Port of discharge
- Supplier contact details
- The customs tariff code number
- Type of packing
- Place of issue
- The authorized person’s name and signature
Why is pre-shipment inspection necessary, and who pays for it?
The pre-shipment inspections are generally conducted by the private organizations on a contract basis. This pre-shipment follows the process of checking the goods before they are imported. The perishable goods must comply with the import nation’s regulations and need to be attested with the signature of an authorized inspection firm.
The benefits of the pre-shipment process are as follows:
- A pre-shipment inspection ensures that your perishable goods are in optimal condition and are ready to import.
- Pre-shipment inspection checks that your goods meet the quantity and quality requirements.
- The pre-shipment enables generating reports for both the invoice and the import.
- A pre-shipment inspection confirms that your goods adhere to the market safety standards.
Inspection costs are usually paid by the importer or the government of the importing country. However, in some cases, the inspection agency may send the bill to the seller for additional inspection costs such as unpacking, handling, testing, sampling, and repackaging.
Some nations demand inspection certificates, regardless of the size or value of their shipment. The countries include Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), India, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia, Togo, and Uzbekistan.
By whom is the inspection certificate issued?
The inspection certificate is issued by a competent inspector that works for an independent inspection agency after conducting the inspection procedure. In most cases, the certificate is immediately issued by the concerned authorities after a successful verification. The inspection certificate is always produced on the official letterhead of the inspection company.
Nowadays, it's common to publish the full inspection report online. This enables buyers to access the document as soon as it is issued and uploaded. In global trade, inspections are typically carried out by independent inspection companies with a multinational presence.
What is the validity period of an inspection certificate?
The validity of an inspection certificate varies depending on the destination country's regulations and the type of goods but typically ranges from a few weeks to a few months. For perishable goods, the validity is often short-term to ensure quality.
What are the different types of inspection certificates?
There are two types of inspection certificates:
Official Inspection Certificate : In some nations, customs officials may need an official inspection to process the clearance of your goods. It enables the authorities to determine whether the perishable contents in the cargo adhere to the requirements mentioned in the sales contract. This certificate includes specifications for your goods quantity, tariff classification, import eligibility, and cost.
Commercial Inspection Certificate : A commercial inspection certificate is a pre-shipment inspection that must be done before the production of a batch of goods is completed. This certificate is delivered to the buyer to check that the various specifications of the shipment align with the sales contract and other specific laws.
If, in any case, the batch does not fit the contract requirements, then it is considered a failed inspection. Following this, the buyer has the right to take any appropriate action before the shipment leaves the manufacturing facility. On the other hand, if the batch clears the inspection, the buyer can present the report as evidence to confirm that the goods have been packed properly and are of high quality.
What are the prime benefits of an inspection certificate?
Prior to importing or exporting perishable goods, a thorough product verification is essential as part of the quality control process. This ensures that your cargo meets all necessary specifications and is safe for human consumption.
The advantages of an inspection certificate are as follows:
- Less Cost: Goods inspection can help in reducing the production cost by resolving certain issues before the commencement of your shipment.
- Exact Timeline: Exporters can have a better understanding of the exact time your perishable goods will be shipped and ensure that the manufacturing timelines are followed.
- Compliance: It helps exporters reduce the risk of receiving goods that don’t match the agreed standards and ensures they abide by the other terms of the contract.
- Claim: An inspection certificate enables you to clear the doubts about the quality of goods involving a third party. Despite the positive inspection certificate, if the importer receives low-quality goods, the inspection company has to bear the loss.
What are the challenges faced in the inspection process?
Inspection certificates have both pros and cons. The main challenges are
- Delays: Your shipment might be rejected or confiscated if the inspection process is not done at the right time.
- Costs: Both parties should come to a fair negotiation to avoid additional costs.
- Miscalculation: Both parties should have a clear understanding of their goods' required specifications, including weight, quantity, and other details, to avoid disputes.
- Purpose of Inspection: It's crucial that the inspected goods meet the specifications and standards to avoid misunderstandings.
Conclusion
An inspection certificate can assist you in shipping your perishable goods globally, and our best booking platform enables you to track the movement of your shipping vessel throughout the transit. At Citrus Freight , you can optimize your freight and inspection processes with ease.