Pre-Shipment Inspection
Don't Ship Blind. Catch Quality Issues Before They Cost You.
A final, impartial check before your produce leaves Egypt. We verify quality, packaging, labeling, and compliance — right at the packhouse. 95% of reports delivered within 18 hours.
What You Get
Quality Verified — Every detail checked against your specs with 40+ high-res photos
Risk Reduced — Catch problems at origin, not at destination where claims cost 10x more
Trust Built — ISO 17020-accredited reports admissible for insurance claims and disputes
Contract Compliance — Ensure every shipment meets agreed terms, specs, and regulatory standards
Importing with vs. without independent inspection
See the concrete impact of having FoodGate Audit as your partner.
- Supplier says goods are in "good condition" — you have no independent proof
- Quality issues discovered at destination — claims cost 10-20x the inspection fee
- Regulatory non-compliance caught at border — entire container held or destroyed
- No photographic evidence for insurance claims or supplier negotiations
- Your reputation at risk every time you trust without verifying
- 40+ high-resolution, timestamped photos documenting every aspect of the shipment
- Non-conformities caught and quantified before container sealing — while you still have leverage
- Full regulatory compliance check (EU, UK, CFIA) with documented evidence
- ISO 17020-accredited report accepted by insurers, arbitrators, and retail auditors
- Data-driven supplier scorecards that improve performance shipment after shipment
Built for professionals who can't afford surprises
Whether you import, manufacture, retail, or broker — if produce quality matters, this service is for you.
Importers
Verify what you're paying for before it ships. Protect margins and reputation with independent quality checks.
Food Manufacturers & Processors
Ensure raw materials meet your production standards. Avoid costly line stoppages from substandard incoming ingredients.
Retail & Private Label Buyers
Meet your own quality benchmarks and retailer-specific standards. Protect your private label reputation at the source.
Trading Houses & Brokers
Add credibility to your operations. Offer your clients documented proof of quality for every shipment you handle.
The cost of skipping inspection is always higher
Every unverified shipment is a gamble. Here's why pre-shipment inspection is non-negotiable.
Quality & Safety Compliance
Ensure every shipment meets food safety regulations, buyer specifications, and international standards like GlobalGAP, BRC, and Codex Alimentarius before it leaves the packhouse. In 2025, we identified non-conformities in 34% of shipments inspected — issues that would have triggered costly destination rejections.
Risk Mitigation
Detect defects, contamination, or non-conformities at origin — when problems can still be corrected. Avoid the devastating cost of rejections, claims, and product recalls at destination.
Buyer Confidence
An independent, ISO 17020-accredited inspection report gives your clients and stakeholders documented proof that quality was verified by an impartial third party. Our reports are accepted by major European retailers, insurance providers, and arbitration bodies.
Contract Verification
Confirm that what was ordered is what ships — grade, caliber, weight, packaging, labeling, and temperature conditions all verified against the purchase contract.
From request to report — a clear, transparent process
Five structured steps to give you full visibility on your shipment quality.
-
1
Client Questionnaire (Day 1)
You share your product specifications, quality standards, and specific requirements. We build a tailored inspection checklist based on your brief.
- Product type, grade, and caliber expectations
- Applicable standards (GlobalGAP, BRC, retailer-specific)
- Packaging and labeling requirements
-
2
Inspection Scheduling (Day 1-2)
We coordinate with your export timeline to schedule the inspection at the right moment — after packing, before sealing.
- Aligned with your shipping and logistics schedule
- Packhouse coordination handled by our team
- Scheduling within 24-48 hours of request
-
3
On-Site Inspection (Day 2-3)
Our certified inspector is on-site at the packhouse, checking every critical parameter against your specifications.
- Visual quality, freshness, and grading verification
- Packaging integrity and labeling accuracy
- Temperature monitoring and quantity verification
-
4
Sampling & Testing (Day 2-3)
When required, we collect samples for laboratory analysis to verify compliance with pesticide residue limits, microbiological criteria, or other parameters.
- Sample collection per international protocols
- Accredited lab analysis for MRLs, microbiology, heavy metals
- Results integrated into the final report
-
5
Report Delivered (Within 24h)
You receive a comprehensive inspection report with detailed findings, photographic evidence, and a clear pass/fail recommendation — delivered within 24 hours.
- Detailed findings with high-resolution photos
- Clear conformity assessment per your specifications
- Actionable recommendations if issues are found
A thorough, multi-point quality assessment
Our inspectors evaluate every critical aspect of your shipment — nothing is overlooked.
Food Safety & Hygiene
We assess handling practices, sanitation conditions, and hygiene protocols at the packhouse to ensure your produce is safe for consumption.
- Worker hygiene and handling practices
- Packhouse cleanliness and sanitation
- Cold chain integrity and temperature logs
Regulatory Compliance
We verify that all documentation, certifications, and labeling meet the destination country's regulatory requirements.
- Phytosanitary and health certificates
- Labeling accuracy (origin, lot codes, dates)
- Compliance with EU, UK, or target market regulations
Facilities & Equipment
We evaluate the packhouse environment, equipment condition, and storage facilities to identify risks to product quality.
- Cold storage conditions and calibration
- Packing line equipment maintenance
- Storage area organization and pest control
Contamination Checks
We inspect for physical, chemical, and biological contamination risks that could compromise product safety or lead to border rejections.
- Foreign body detection
- Pesticide residue risk assessment
- Cross-contamination prevention measures
Record-Keeping & Traceability
We verify that proper records exist for full traceability — from field to container — so you can trace any issue back to its source.
- Batch and lot traceability documentation
- Supplier records and certificates of analysis
- Chain of custody verification
Visual Quality Inspection
Detailed assessment of product appearance, size, color, ripeness, and overall condition against your contractual specifications.
- Size, caliber, and grading verification
- Color, ripeness, and freshness assessment
- Defect identification and quantification
See exactly what you'll receive
Every inspection concludes with a comprehensive, structured report — delivered to your inbox within 24 hours.
Photographic Evidence
High-resolution photos of every pallet, label, and defect found.
Data-Driven Findings
Temperature logs, weight data, and quantified defect rates.
Clear Recommendation
Pass/fail verdict with actionable notes for your decision.
What our inspectors find — so you don't have to
Based on 1,200+ inspections across Egyptian packhouses, here are the most common issues we catch before they reach your warehouse.
Protect your next shipment — most inspections scheduled within 48 hours of request.
Get Your Quote in 2 Minutes →Schedule Your Pre-Shipment Inspection
Protect your next import from Egypt with an independent, ISO 17020-accredited quality check at origin. Most inspections scheduled within 48 hours.
Get a Quote for This Service