I’ve been on orders where a supplier resisted an independent inspection — and you could sense the risk rising immediately.
Yes — in fact, it’s quite common and often encouraged to have third-party inspections (TPI / QC audits / independent inspectors) when importing custom metal parts from Vietnam. But you must negotiate the terms clearly.
Here’s how to make it work in practice, covering acceptance, choice, costs, and your rights. To structure production visibility, many buyers adapt frameworks from NIST Manufacturing USA 1.
Is third-party QA commonly accepted?
Third-party QA has become standard practice among export-oriented Vietnamese factories when presented as part of a structured quality system.
Many buyers assume supplier push-back — but in Vietnam, third-party QA is increasingly standard for export-oriented factories.
Clear supplier-performance monitoring practices are recommended by Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply 2.
Inspection acceptance also aligns with ISO 9001 quality management requirements 3, which emphasize documented evidence and traceability.
Can you choose inspection company by yourself?
You should choose or approve the inspection company yourself, ensuring scope and timing are clearly defined.
Contract language can follow ICC model commercial terms 4 to clarify rights and responsibilities.
| Step | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-contract | Specify “Buyer to appoint independent inspection firm acceptable to Supplier” | Ensures agreement early |
| Inspection firm criteria | Provide list of approved companies (QIMA, SGS, Pro QC) | Avoids disputes |
| Scope and timing | Define when/where inspections happen | Prevents omissions |
| Access rights | Guarantee inspector access to line and documents | Enables full verification |
Who pays for third-party inspection?
Payment responsibility depends on relationship, order scale, and supplier maturity — define it clearly in your PO.
Inspection cost allocation typically depends on buyer-supplier agreement.
Reference ISO/IEC 17020 inspection body standards 5 and SAE AS9102 first article inspection guide 6 when defining inspection scope and re-inspection terms.
| Cost Element | Common Practice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer pays inspection fee | Buyer covers fee | Common for initial orders |
| Supplier shares cost | 50/50 split | Builds partnership |
| Supplier pays if defect found | Supplier pays re-inspection | Ensures accountability |
| Cost included in price | Supplier embeds in unit price | Transparent up front |
Can inspection stop shipment if non-conforming?
You can and should reserve the right to hold shipment if third-party inspection reports show non-conformities.
This clause should be explicitly stated and backed by ISO/IEC 17020 compliance rules 7 and independent inspection protocols 8.
For oversight and transparency, some buyers rely on QIMA inspection reporting tools 9 or SGS Vietnam quality assurance network 10.
Conclusion
Third-party inspections are not optional — they are a strategic tool for quality assurance in Vietnam sourcing.
Establish independent inspections, define who pays, and ensure findings carry authority to stop shipments when needed.
Done correctly, third-party QA builds confidence, transparency, and long-term reliability in your supply chain.
Footnotes
1. NIST Manufacturing USA guidelines on production visibility frameworks. ↩︎
2. CIPS procurement monitoring and supplier KPI best practices. ↩︎
3. ISO 9001 quality management and traceability documentation rules. ↩︎
4. ICC guidance on contractual inspection rights and terms. ↩︎
5. ISO/IEC 17020 standard outlining impartial inspection criteria. ↩︎
6. SAE AS9102 defines industry-standard FAI requirements. ↩︎
7. ISO/IEC 17020 principles for inspection body competence. ↩︎
8. Bureau Veritas inspection and audit frameworks for global buyers. ↩︎
9. QIMA during-production and pre-shipment inspection workflow. ↩︎
10. SGS Vietnam testing and certification network overview. ↩︎
