Pre-shipment inspection explained simply

Goods issue refers to the moment when ordered and inspected products leave the warehouse and are shipped to the customer. It marks the final step in the warehouse process and the transition to the customer.

Pre-shipment inspection is crucial for warehouse management, as it directly impacts supply chain quality and customer satisfaction. By checking goods before shipping, errors can be prevented and complaints significantly reduced.

Companies whose products must meet certain quality standards typically carry out pre-shipment inspections.

These inspections are usually performed by warehouse or purchasing staff, quality controllers, or even supplier representatives.

The main objectives of pre-shipment inspection are:

1. Ensuring correct and complete delivery of customer orders
2. Preventing transport damage, complaints, and returns
3. Tracking and documenting shipped goods
4. Increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty
5. Reducing costs and errors in warehouse and logistics processes

The requirements for pre-shipment inspection in the life sciences sector depend on the type, value, and sensitivity of the products being shipped. In addition, strict regulatory requirements and quality standards must be met. Key requirements include:

Complete documentation

All goods movements – from warehouse to customer – must be fully documented.

Compliance with specific regulations

Special packaging and shipping regulations must be observed. These may vary according to temperature, sterility, break resistance, and hazardous goods labeling.

Inventory optimization for perishable goods

Inventory must be kept fresh and low, particularly for easily perishable goods.

Pre-shipment inspection is an essential step in goods issue, ensuring the quality of outgoing shipments. The process begins with documentation. A delivery note is created that specifies the scope of the shipment. In the case of partial deliveries, additional loading or packing lists are required. For international shipments, customs documents may also be necessary.

Before the goods leave the warehouse, a final visual and weight check is carried out. The packaging is examined for defects, and the labeling of the goods is checked for clarity and legibility. For perishable or temperature-sensitive products, a temperature measurement of the transport vehicle is performed.

Typical methods and technologies used in pre-shipment inspection include:

• Barcode or RFID scanners to identify and track goods
• Scales or volume scanners to measure weight or volume and detect possible deviations
• Cameras and sensors to check the condition or quality of goods and identify damage or defects
• Software solutions such as ERP systems to capture, process, and document data from various devices

Ensuring accuracy

In pre-shipment inspection, it is critical to correctly identify and check outgoing goods. If inspections are carried out carelessly, errors and customer complaints are inevitable.

Keeping customers satisfied

Orders can only be processed quickly if the goods issue process runs efficiently – and fast order processing is a key requirement for customer satisfaction.

Clear inventory management

Ensuring the availability of required goods can be a challenge. Without transparent inventory management, shortages may occur.

Implementing technology successfully

Many companies rely on digital tools for pre-shipment inspection. To be effective, these tools must be implemented flawlessly and provide the necessary functionality.

Securing quality

Outgoing goods must be inspected thoroughly to guarantee that customers receive the level of quality they expect.

Limited resources

Especially in times of staff shortages, it can be difficult to find enough qualified employees to carry out pre-shipment inspection.

To meet these challenges effectively and efficiently, a well-implemented ERP system is essential. For long-term support, the system should be modular, scalable, and – for companies in regulated industries – compliant with strict regulatory requirements. The ideal solution for efficient pre-shipment inspection is Yaveon 365.

With Yaveon 365, you take your pre-shipment inspection to the next level. Ensure that only the best leaves your warehouse and reaches your customers – with no extra effort. Thanks to end-to-end batch traceability, automated inspection processes, and real-time transparency, you have full control over both quality and efficiency.

Yaveon 365 automates inspections, reliably documents results, and gives you the flexibility to adjust inspection parameters individually. This helps you avoid delays, minimize the risk of recalls, and guarantee customer satisfaction by consistently delivering quality.

With Yaveon 365, you gain a solution that not only makes your processes more efficient but also supports you in audits and certifications. Optimize your pre-shipment inspection and secure a competitive edge – so that quality always comes first.