What to Check When You Are Physically at the Supplier
The direct answer: a physical visit is the only way to verify a lot properly, and it is most valuable for the things that cannot be checked remotely — the size run, the grade, the packing and the loading. Everything else can be done from a distance, so spend your trip on these four.
Part of the buyer journey: Understanding Stocklots: The Model From the Inside — stage 1 of 8, with the other guides for this stage.
Count, do not browse
Ask for the stock to be counted in front of you, broken down by category, size and grade. Bring someone who will do nothing else all day. A count takes hours and it is the only check that produces a number you can rely on.
Do not skip the grade count. Sample units from several cartons at random, grade them against a written standard, and compare your percentage with the seller’s claim. The difference is your negotiating position.
Walk the packing and loading areas
Packing tells you about handling and about provenance. Overlapping labels and mixed cartons suggest a lot assembled from several sources, which is not disqualifying but should be priced. Watch how cartons are moved and stacked, because that is how your shipment will be handled too.
Look at the loading area and ask about container stuffing plans. Goods packed to fill a container well are goods that will not arrive with a crushed bottom layer.
Verify the documents on the spot
Check the company registration against the name on the account you will pay. Ask to see the export licence or equivalent authority if you are importing directly. Photograph the labels and the cartons so you have a dated record of the lot as it was.
Record a continuous video walk-through. Not for presentation; for the case where a dispute happens later and the only question is whether the goods were as described.
What stocklots are available right now?
Reading is step one. Send your requirement and we will check the factory network for current options.
Buyer questions, answered
Is visiting Pakistan necessary for a first purchase?
Not necessary, but it is the fastest way to learn what a specific lot really is. If you cannot travel, use an independent inspector and a live video walk-through, and accept that you are working with less information.
How long does a supplier visit take?
Two to three full days is a realistic minimum: one for the count and grading, one for documentation and packing, one for anything unresolved. Shorter visits tend to produce impressions rather than verification.
Should I use an independent inspector?
Yes if the shipment is significant. An inspector who works for you rather than for the supplier will grade differently, and the independence is the entire value. If you are already on site, you are effectively the inspector — just be honest about how much time you are giving it.