Container Loading Check

What is a Container Loading Check (CLC)?

A CLC is an onsite inspection that ensures your products have been manufactured correctly and that the actual ordered quantity of products is securely loaded onto your container or truck.
During a container loading check, ABS inspector will select boxes at random to confirm that product quality matches the specifications and/or approved sample provided by the client. They will also check that each carton reflects the quantity of products ordered and that all packaging contains the correct barcodes, labeling and packing materials. On top of this, the inspector will also closely supervise the entire container/truck loading process.

Ensure every product you paid for makes it to the truck; reduce the risk of damage during shipment.

Why perform a container loading check?

  • Reduce the risk of product damage during shipment
  • Perform a final check of product quality and specifications to catch defects before shipping
  • Ensure correct handling of your products as they are loaded onto containers or trucks
  • Check packaging meets specifications
  • Verify the quality of the container your goods are to be shipped in
A CLC is particularly beneficial for businesses shipping fragile or sensitive goods that are likely to break in transit if the correct packaging and loading procedures are not followed.

What checks are carried out?

Firstly, the ABS inspector will randomly select a sample of products to inspect using the ANSI/ASQ Standard Z.1.4-2008 sampling standard.
The checks that are then carried out are tailored to match client requirements and the product in question. ABS has an extensive range of off-the-shelf inspection checklists available that are designed for particular products. Clients can use these off-the-shelf checklists. Otherwise, where they require specific alternative checks to be carried out, they can add to one of these lists or create their own unique checklist.
However, a typical ABS container loading check includes the following checks: 
  • Product specifications checks
    • Product colors
    • Product style and construction
    • Artwork including spelling, fonts, dimensions, positioning and general design
    • Labels including main labels, care labels, size labels and product tags
    • Finished and packed product quantities
  • Product dimensions checks
  • Other product-specific checks and tests to verify quality and workmanship
  • Product packing and packaging checks
    • Unit packing
    • Inner packing
    • Outer packing
    • Export carton dimensions and weights
    • Shipping marks on cartons
  • Container loading and packing checks
    • Loaded quantities
    • Pallet and carton details
    • Container condition
    • Loading process
It should be noted that, while a CLC can be used to verify final product quality, they should not be relied upon to replace a more thorough pre-shipment inspection (PSI)

What happens after a CLC is completed?

After ABS completes a CLC, clients receive a detailed inspection report, delivered on the same day . The report outlines the findings of the inspection, including photos of any defects found, and gives an overall pass/fail outcome.