AQL Inspection for Garment Buyers: What to Expect at Final QC

Most international apparel programs use AQL-based final inspection to decide whether a lot ships, is reworked, or is held for buyer review. Understanding sampling size, defect classification, and factory inline discipline helps buying teams avoid surprises at ex-factory.

Critical, Major, and Minor Defects

Factories document defects against buyer criteria: critical issues often block shipment entirely; major defects affect wear or appearance at retail; minor defects may be accepted within agreed AQL levels. Clear defect libraries in tech packs reduce disputes during final audit.

Inline QC vs Final Gate

Strong manufacturers catch construction issues during sewing — not only at the end of the line. Ytex Garments integrates inline checks with final AQL review so bulk lots reflect the approved pre-production sample standard.