Patrol Inspection

Patrol Inspection is an inspection method in foreign trade production and quality control, where inspectors are not fixed at a single workstation but conduct mobile spot checks on multiple processes or workstations along the production line according to predetermined routes and time intervals. Its core characteristics are randomness, dynamism, and preventiveness. It is typically used in mass production processes to promptly detect process anomalies, material defects, or operational errors, preventing batches of nonconforming products from flowing into the next process. Use scenarios include: factory production line process inspection, supplier production site monitoring, and regular quality patrol inspections for long-term orders. Precautions: inspection routes, frequency, and judgment criteria must be established in advance; records must be complete for traceability; inspectors should have independent judgment authority. Unlike 100% Inspection, patrol inspection is sampling-based and cannot replace final shipment inspection; compared with First Article Inspection, it emphasizes continuous process monitoring rather than merely confirming the first article is qualified. In foreign trade contracts, if patrol inspection is agreed upon, the inspection ratio, handling of nonconformities, and whether the buyer or its representative may participate should be clearly specified.