GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Pre-shipment inspection
Shippers, importers, and customs authorities commission or mandate a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) to verify that goods meet contractual or regulatory requirements before leaving the country of export.
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Source: https://www.trade.gov/knowledge-product/pre-shipment-inspection
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Definition & Explanation
Shippers, importers, and customs authorities commission or mandate a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) to verify that goods meet contractual or regulatory requirements before leaving the country of export. Independent inspection companies check quantities, condition, packaging, labeling, and whether the accompanying documents comply with the destination country's customs regulations. PSI programs are particularly prevalent in trade with countries that formally require them as a safeguard against underinvoicing and customs fraud. A successful inspection results in the issuance of a Clean Report of Findings (CRF), accepted by banks and authorities as documentary evidence of compliance. Pre-shipment inspection should not be confused with customs examination on arrival, which is conducted by the importing country's customs authority.
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