Chinese New Year quality risks
We are getting closer to the biggest season’s greetings in China: the Chinese New year! It represents the start of the year according to the Chinese lunisolar calendar. We are leaving the year of the snake to start the year of the horse. For buyers, this season is synonymous of stress: during Chinese New Year quality risks inscreases.
Chinese New Year quality risks when manufacturing in China
Buyers, manufacturers, forwarders… everybody is in a hurry producing, booking the containers and scheduling the shipments in order to be able to deliver on time and avoid the goods from being blocked in China for several weeks.
During that period the quality issue risks increase drastically. Workers are under pressure to finish on-time, they also look forward to taking their holidays and leave to spend some time with their family in their hometown.
What kind of quality risks are usually identified in that period?
- Goods are packed unfinished
- Goods are finished in a very poor quality
- Goods are stuck at factories, unfinished (the supplier preferred to stay quiet instead of saying the truth and loose face).
Suggestion when manufacturing in China reducing Chinese New Year quality risks
Buyers should be very cautious and consider to inspect the goods during the production in addition to the traditional pre-shipment inspection. Why?
- To identify the production speed.
- To have enough time to correct possible quality defects while producing.
- To put some more pressure on the supplier.
Important remark regarding the pre-shipment inspection
It is compulsory to ensure 100% of the goods are finished and at least 80% are packed at the time of the inspection. It reduces the risks of finding unfinished goods packed.
The AQF team will be taking some holidays during the Chinese New Year, from January 31st to February 7th. We look forward to exchanging our know-how and experience with you during the year of the horse!
@All of you: Gong Xi Fa Cai (mandarin) or Kong Hei Fat Choi (cantonese)!
Photo via the huffingtonpost.ca
