Short answer
Before production perfume bottles leave China, inspect a random sample against your approved reference set. Most buyers use AQL sampling (ISO 2859-1, general level II): for a lot of 501–1,200 pieces that means checking 80 pieces, with zero critical defects allowed and common limits of AQL 2.5 for major and 4.0 for minor defects. Check the glass for cracks, chips and bubbles, the neck for size, the pump and cap for fit, and the decoration for position and rub resistance. QARURA, a sourcing partner in Xuzhou, checks bottles, pumps and caps together before shipping.
What are the common defects in glass perfume bottles?
| Defect | What it looks like | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Crack or check | Fine line in the glass, often at the neck or base | Critical |
| Chip at the neck | Missing glass on the neck finish | Critical |
| Sharp glass or loose glass inside | Glass splinter or flake | Critical |
| Neck out of size | Pump will not crimp or screw on properly | Major |
| Large bubble or stone | Visible air bubble or unmelted particle | Major |
| Uneven base or wall | Bottle rocks or walls look thick on one side | Major or minor |
| Decoration off position or smudged | Logo crooked, faded or smeared | Major or minor |
| Small seed bubbles, light scratches | Only visible up close | Minor |
How many bottles should you inspect?
| Lot size | Sample size (general level II) |
|---|---|
| 151–280 | 32 |
| 281–500 | 50 |
| 501–1,200 | 80 |
| 1,201–3,200 | 125 |
| 3,201–10,000 | 200 |
Agree the defect classes and AQL limits with your supplier before production, in writing, so both sides judge the goods the same way.
What should a pre-shipment check include?
- Count: cartons, pieces per carton and item numbers against the packing list.
- Glass: look at each sample bottle against a light for cracks, chips, bubbles and stones.
- Neck: fit a production pump and cap on every sample bottle.
- Function: fill a few sets with water or alcohol, crimp or screw the pump, and check the spray.
- Decoration: compare position and colour with the reference sample, and rub the print with a tissue and alcohol.
- Box: check the bottle and cap sit firmly in the insert.
- Packing: dividers in place, cartons strong and labelled.
For leak and compatibility testing with your own perfume, do this at the sample stage; see how to test perfume bottle samples.
Should you hire a third-party inspector?
For larger orders or a first order with a new supplier, a third-party inspection company can check goods at the warehouse and send a photo report, usually charged per inspector-day. For small runs, ask your supplier for photos and a short video of random samples, the cartons and the packing list before shipping.
What happens if production goods fail?
- Share the inspection photos and the defect count with your supplier.
- Agree whether defective pieces are sorted out and replaced before shipping.
- Re-check the replaced pieces before the goods leave.
- Keep the reference sample and inspection report for the next order.
Frequently asked questions
What is AQL in perfume bottle inspection?
AQL (acceptance quality limit) is the maximum share of defective pieces allowed in a random sample. A common setting for glass bottles is zero critical defects, 2.5 for major and 4.0 for minor defects.
What defects are not acceptable in glass bottles?
Cracks, chips at the neck and loose glass inside the bottle are critical defects and are normally not accepted at all.
Does QARURA inspect bottles before shipping?
Yes. QARURA checks that the bottles, pumps and caps fit together before shipping and compares production goods with the approved sample.
Should I inspect a 200-piece order?
Yes, but you rarely need a third-party inspector. Check the sample of 32 pieces from photos and video, and test a few sets when the goods arrive at your filler.
Planning a launch?
Tell us your bottle, quantity and date. We reply with a checked parts list and a written quote.