What is a Certificate of Inspection?

A certificate of inspection is a document which certifies the condition of a commodity (especially perishable goods) at the point of analysis or inspection, or prior to shipment. Inspection of goods is generally carried out when cargo is to be shipped or transported to different countries, especially developing ones. The certificate is usually required at ports and is expected to contain the details and identity of the inspection party or officer. A certificate of inspection is often a required document for presentation of a letter of credit. 

The Top Global Inspection Firms

Inspection firms have strong connections with different world governments. The top firms that offer global inspection on our list are:

• • French Bureau Veritas Group
  • Cotecna
  • Intertek
  • Swiss SGS

List of Nations that Require Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSIs)

Here are a list of countries that require inspections before products are shipped. The list changes yearly, and some countries require that goods be inspected no matter their worth or size. These countries are: Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Kuwait, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and lastly; Uzbekistan. 

Alternative or Supporting Documents 

There are different certificates that can act as substitute to the certificate of inspection, and weve stated the and related instances below. When exporting agricultural products which are mostly perishable, youll need to obtain a federal phytosanitary inspection certificate. This certificate proves that a U.S. shipment containing agricultural products is free of toxic chemicals and suitable for human and animal consumption. The phytosanitary certificate is issued by the U.S. Agricultural Department. Also, the USDA provides the Export Certificate for Processed Plant Products and the Certificate of Quality and Condition alongside the phytosanitary inspection certificate. The Export Certificate works as a substitute for the phytosanitary inspection certificate in a case where the product is rejected or the phytosanitary certificate cannot be issued. Goods that are eligible for these inspection certificates are: nuts, soy-fortified goods, and seed extracted meals by solvents. Another certificate that shouldnt be overlooked is the Certificate of Quality and Condition which is offered by a branch of the USDA known as the Processed Product Branch . This infection certification is issued after an analysis of canned, frozen and dehydrated fruits, vegetables and related agricultural products. The Certificate of Quality and Condition can be gotten on a fee basis, and it can be modified to meet your international exchange desires.