If you import goods from Asia to Mexico, you’ve probably heard the term pre-shipment inspection. But what does it actually mean and why should you care?
What is a pre-shipment inspection?
A pre-shipment inspection is a physical examination conducted at the supplier’s factory or warehouse, just before the goods are loaded into the container. A verified inspector checks that what is being shipped matches:
- The commercial invoice and packing list
- The order specifications
- The regulatory requirements of Mexican customs
- The agreed-upon quality conditions
Why is it so important?
When your goods arrive at a Mexican port without a pre-shipment inspection, you face a problem: if customs detects discrepancies between the documents and the cargo, your container gets held in customs examination. This means:
- Delays of weeks while the discrepancy is resolved
- Daily storage costs accumulating at the port
- Fines and surcharges for documentary inconsistencies
- Risk of seizure in severe cases
A pre-shipment inspection allows you to detect and correct these issues before the container leaves the country of origin.
What gets checked in an inspection?
Our inspectors verify point by point:
- Quantity: Physical count of boxes, pieces, and packages against the packing list
- Labeling: That labels comply with the applicable NOM standard
- Documentation: That the invoice, packing list, and BL are consistent
- Packaging: That the goods are properly protected for maritime transport
- Container marking: Seal numbers, photos of the loading process
How much does it cost not to do one?
Consider the numbers: one day of storage at the port of Manzanillo can cost between $150 and $300 USD per container. If your goods are held for 15 days due to a discrepancy that could have been corrected at origin, you’re losing between $2,250 and $4,500 USD — not counting fines, delays to your end customer, and the opportunity cost.
A pre-shipment inspection at origin costs a fraction of that and gives you the peace of mind that everything will arrive as documented.
When should you request an inspection?
Ideally, schedule it when there is an estimated loading date.
If you’re about to import and want to protect your investment from origin, contact us for a no-obligation quote.