Cleared to load: what pass, pending and fail mean in our reports
Cleared to load is the verdict at the end of a Clear To Load inspection report that means the lot meets the buyer's specification and AQL limits, so the goods can ship. It is one of three verdicts: Cleared to load (pass), Hold (pending, the buyer decides) and Not cleared (fail, rework and reinspection needed).
- Cleared to load
- Pass
- Hold
- Pending
- Not cleared
- Fail
The three verdicts
| Verdict | Standard term | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cleared to load | Pass | The lot meets your specification and AQL limits. The goods can ship. |
| Hold | Pending | We found issues you need to decide on before the goods ship. |
| Not cleared | Fail | The lot fails your specification or AQL limits. Rework and reinspection are needed. |
How the verdict maps to AQL results
AQL sampling (ISO 2859-1) gives each defect class an accept or reject result. The verdict combines those results with the other checks in the inspection:
| Verdict | AQL and inspection result | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Cleared to load | Every defect class at or below its accept number (Ac), and the other checks (quantity, packing, labels, documents) meet the specification | The goods can be loaded and shipped. |
| Hold | Not decided by the AQL count alone: an issue the buyer must decide on before shipping | The buyer reviews the findings and decides to ship, rework or reinspect. |
| Not cleared | At least one defect class at or above its reject number (Re), or the lot fails the specification | Rework, then reinspection before shipping. |
Example: 800 dressers at general level II give a sample of 80. With AQL 2.5 for major defects (accept 5, reject 6), 4 major defects keep the major class within limits; 6 major defects reach the reject number and the lot is Not cleared. See AQL sampling explained or try the AQL calculator.
A report is Not cleared when any critical defect is found, when major or minor defects reach the AQL reject number, or when a safety or function test fails. It is issued as Hold when the AQL results are within limits but something needs your decision before shipping: a quantity shortfall, packing, labelling or marking that differs from your specification, a colour or finish difference from the approved sample, missing documents, goods reworked during the inspection, or an inspection that could not be completed in full.
What the verdict is not
The verdict is a statement about the lot inspected against the buyer's specification and AQL limits. It is not a certificate of regulatory compliance and does not replace lab testing.
Questions about the verdict
Is Cleared to load the same as a pass?
Yes. Cleared to load is Clear To Load's wording for a pass: the lot meets the buyer's specification and AQL limits and the goods can ship.
What does Hold mean in an inspection report?
Hold is the pending result. The inspector found issues that the buyer needs to decide on before the goods ship, so the report does not make that decision for them.
What does Not cleared mean?
Not cleared is a fail. The lot fails the buyer's specification or AQL limits, and rework and reinspection are needed before shipping.
Does Cleared to load mean the goods comply with regulations?
No. It means the lot met the specification and AQL limits checked in the inspection. Regulatory compliance rests with the importer and, where tests are needed, with an accredited lab's results.
Know before it ships
Tell us the product, the factory's city and your ready date. We confirm the inspector, the notice time and the price before you book.