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Quality Inspection Services

During Production Inspection (DPC / DUPRO) China | G&D

Independent During Production Check (DPC / DUPRO) in China. Check production progress, workmanship, specifications, function, labeling and packaging while bulk production is underway. Identify problems while corrective action is still practical. From USD 160 per man-day.

During Production Check (DPC) in China

Check bulk production quality and progress while manufacturing is still underway and corrective action is still practical.
A During Production Check (DPC), also commonly referred to as a During Production Inspection (DPI) or DUPRO, is carried out after a meaningful portion of an order has been produced, while production is still ongoing.
G&D provides independent During Production Check services in China to help buyers identify quality problems, production inconsistencies and potential delays before the entire order is completed.
Our inspector checks available finished and semi-finished products, workmanship, specifications, function, production progress, labeling, packaging and other agreed requirements, then documents the findings in an independent inspection report.
Starting from USD 160 per man-day.

When Should You Arrange a During Production Check?

A DPC should be arranged when enough bulk production is available to provide a meaningful view of ongoing quality, while sufficient production remains for corrective action if problems are identified.
For many orders, this may be around 30-50% of production, but the appropriate timing depends on the product, production cycle and specific risks.
A DPC can be particularly useful when:
  • You are working with a new supplier.
  • The order quantity is large.
  • Production takes place over a long period.
  • The product has important workmanship, dimensional or functional requirements.
  • Consistency across the production batch is important.
  • An earlier IPC identified problems that require follow-up.
  • The factory has agreed to corrective actions that you want independently checked.
  • Previous orders have had recurring quality problems.
  • You need an independent view of actual production progress before the order is completed.
The objective is not to wait for an exact production percentage, but to inspect at a stage when representative bulk production is available and corrective action is still practical.

What We Check During a During Production Check

The exact DPC checklist depends on your product, specifications, production stage and identified risks.

Production Progress & Quantity

The inspector records the production status observed during the visit.
Depending on the order, this may include:
  • Quantity completed
  • Quantity under production
  • Quantity packed
  • Production lines in operation
  • Current production stage
  • Available information about the remaining production schedule
Production and completion figures that cannot be independently counted or confirmed during the visit should be identified as factory-provided information.
A DPC can provide a point-in-time view of production progress, but it cannot guarantee the final completion or shipment date.

Finished & Semi-Finished Products

Available finished and semi-finished products can be checked according to the agreed inspection scope.
The inspector records which production stages and quantities were available at the time of inspection so that the report reflects what could actually be evaluated.

Workmanship & Defects

Available production units are checked for visible workmanship issues and defects relevant to the product.
Examples may include:
  • Poor finishing
  • Incorrect assembly
  • Surface defects
  • Sewing or construction problems
  • Loose or missing components
  • Incorrect accessories
  • Damage
  • Other deviations from approved requirements
Where applicable, identified defects can be classified according to the agreed inspection criteria.

Dimensions & Specifications

Important dimensions, construction details and product specifications can be checked against the buyer's approved requirements.
This may include:
  • Product dimensions
  • Weight
  • Component specifications
  • Construction details
  • Product configuration
  • Other measurable requirements
The exact checks depend on the product and available inspection methods.

Materials & Components

Where relevant and observable, the inspector can compare available materials, components and accessories against the approved references or specifications.
Properties requiring chemical analysis, composition verification or specialized performance testing may require independent laboratory testing.

Function Checks

Basic functional checks can be performed on available production units where appropriate.
The exact tests depend on the product, buyer requirements and equipment or conditions available during the inspection.
Formal safety, compliance or specialized performance testing may require laboratory testing.

Color, Artwork & Labeling

Where applicable, the inspector can check:
  • Product colors
  • Printed artwork
  • Logos
  • Product labels
  • Care labels
  • Warning labels
  • Barcodes
  • Other markings
These are compared against the references supplied for the inspection.

Packaging Status

Depending on the production stage, some goods may already be packed while others remain in production.
Available packaging can be checked for:
  • Retail packaging
  • Polybags
  • Inserts
  • Cartons
  • Labels
  • Shipping marks
  • Barcodes
  • Packing method
The report should distinguish between packaging actually checked and packaging that was not yet available or completed.

Production Consistency

One of the main purposes of DPC is to assess whether quality remains reasonably consistent as bulk production progresses.
The inspector can compare available production units across the inspected quantity and record repeated or systematic deviations where observed.
A DPC remains a sampling-based, point-in-time inspection and does not mean every unit in the order has been checked.

Corrective Actions from Earlier Findings

If an earlier IPC, inspection or buyer review identified problems, the DPC can include follow-up checks on agreed corrective actions.
This may include checking whether:
  • The identified issue is still present
  • Revised materials or components are being used
  • Workmanship has improved
  • Production instructions have been updated
  • Corrected products are available
  • The same defect continues to appear in bulk production
The report documents what is observed during the DPC. The buyer remains responsible for deciding whether the corrective action is acceptable.

How Our During Production Check Works




1. Send Us Your Order Information

Provide the PO, specifications, approved sample information, drawings, artwork, packaging requirements and any previous inspection findings or corrective actions that should be checked.

2. We Confirm the Scope & Production Status

We review your requirements and coordinate the inspection timing based on the actual production status and available bulk-production quantity.

3. Inspector Visits the Factory

Our inspector attends the production location and confirms the production stage and goods available for inspection.

4. Bulk Production Is Checked

The inspector performs the agreed checks on available products, workmanship, specifications, function, production progress, labeling, packaging and corrective actions where applicable.

5. Receive Your DPC Report

You receive an independent report documenting the production status, inspection findings, photos, identified deviations and relevant limitations.

What Information Should You Provide Before the DPC?

Useful information may include:
  • Purchase order
  • Product specifications
  • Approved or golden sample information
  • Technical drawings
  • BOM or component requirements
  • Material requirements
  • Color references
  • Artwork files
  • Labeling requirements
  • Packaging requirements
  • Functional requirements
  • Expected production schedule
  • Previous IPC or inspection report
  • Corrective-action requirements
  • Known quality concerns
  • Your own inspection checklist or critical points
If a previous inspection identified specific problems, providing the earlier report helps the inspector focus on whether those issues have been corrected during bulk production.

What Will You Receive in the DPC Report?

The DPC report may include:
  • Order and inspection information
  • Actual production status observed
  • Available and inspected quantities
  • Finished and semi-finished products checked
  • Workmanship and defect findings
  • Specification and measurement results
  • Function-check results where applicable
  • Materials and components observations
  • Color, artwork and labeling findings
  • Packaging status
  • Production-consistency observations
  • Status of previous corrective actions where applicable
  • Photos of inspected products and relevant findings
  • Deviations or concerns identified
  • Items not yet available for checking
  • Relevant limitations of the inspection
The report documents the production stage and evidence available at the time of inspection. The final decision regarding corrective action, continued production or other follow-up remains with the buyer.

IPC vs During Production Check (DPC)

Both IPC and DPC take place before production is completed, but they answer different questions.
An Initial Production Check (IPC) takes place near the beginning of mass production when relevant materials, components and first production units are available.
Its main question is:
Has production started correctly?
A During Production Check (DPC) takes place after a more meaningful portion of bulk production has been completed.
Its main question is:
Is bulk production continuing correctly?
IPC is particularly useful for identifying incorrect materials, components, specifications or setup at the beginning of production.
DPC provides a broader view of ongoing bulk-production quality, consistency, progress and implementation of corrective actions.

DPC vs Final Random Inspection (FRI)

A DPC is performed while production is still underway. Its main advantage is timing: problems can be identified while the factory still has an opportunity to correct ongoing production.
A Final Random Inspection (FRI) is performed after production is completed and the required portion of the goods has been packed. It checks randomly selected finished products before shipment.
In simple terms:
  • DPC: Is ongoing bulk production under control?
  • FRI: Does the finished batch meet the agreed requirements before shipment?
For a more detailed comparison, see our guide to DPC vs Final Random Inspection (FRI).
A satisfactory DPC does not replace FRI because additional goods will normally be produced after the DPC inspection date.

What Can and Cannot Be Verified During a DPC?

A DPC can provide independent information about:
  • Actual production progress observed
  • Available finished and semi-finished products
  • Workmanship and visible defects
  • Product dimensions and specifications
  • Basic function where applicable
  • Available materials and components
  • Color, artwork and labeling
  • Available packaging
  • Production consistency within the inspected goods
  • Corrective actions that can be observed during the visit
However, a DPC cannot guarantee:
  • Quality of all products produced after the inspection
  • Final quality of the completed order
  • Final shipment quantity
  • Final packaging that is not yet available
  • Future production consistency
  • Final delivery or shipment date
  • Material composition requiring laboratory analysis
  • Formal safety or compliance performance requiring specialized testing
DPC is a point-in-time assessment of the production stage available on the inspection date.

During Production Check Cost in China

Starting from USD 160 per man-day.
The final cost depends on the factory location, inspection scope, product complexity, number of product references and time required on site.
Travel costs may apply when the factory is outside our normal inspector coverage. Additional inspection time may also be required for large orders, multiple product references or complex checklists.
We confirm the scope, timing and cost before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a During Production Check?

A During Production Check is an inspection carried out while bulk production is underway. It evaluates available finished and semi-finished products, production progress and agreed product requirements before the full order is completed.

When should a DPC be performed?

A DPC should be performed when enough bulk production is available for a meaningful inspection while sufficient production remains for corrective action. For many orders, this may be around 30-50% of production.

Does production need to be exactly 30-50% complete?

No. The appropriate timing depends on the product and manufacturing process. The objective is to inspect representative bulk production early enough that identified problems can still be addressed.

Is DPC the same as During Production Inspection or DUPRO?

These terms are commonly used for the same general type of mid-production quality inspection. G&D uses During Production Check (DPC) as the service name.

What is the difference between IPC and DPC?

IPC focuses on whether production has started correctly. DPC examines whether bulk production is continuing correctly after a more meaningful quantity has been produced.

Can DPC check whether problems found during IPC were corrected?

Yes. If you provide the previous inspection findings and corrective-action requirements, the DPC can include follow-up checks on issues that can be observed during the visit.

Does DPC replace Final Random Inspection?

No. Additional goods are normally produced after a DPC. FRI checks randomly selected finished goods after production is completed and before shipment.

How much does a During Production Check cost in China?

Our During Production Check service starts from USD 160 per man-day. Travel costs or additional man-days may apply depending on location and inspection scope.

Check Bulk Production Before Problems Continue Across the Order

A During Production Check gives you independent information about product quality and production progress while manufacturing is still underway.
By checking representative bulk production before the full order is completed, you can identify repeated problems and verify observable corrective actions while further correction may still be practical.
Send us your order information and current production status to arrange a During Production Check in China.
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