What one man-day covers
A man-day is a unit of inspection time, not a unit of goods. It always means one inspector, one factory and one working day. Two factories on the same order are at least two man-days, even if each visit is short.
At Clear To Load one man-day is 8 hours on site and includes sampling, on-site tests, photos and writing the report, which a supervisor reviews before release. As a guide, it covers one factory and up to 3 furniture styles at general inspection level II, or up to 5 styles of smaller décor, textile or kitchen items. Our prices for every service are on the pricing page; this page explains the term.
What decides how many man-days you need
- Sample size. Set by lot size, inspection level and AQL under ISO 2859-1. A larger sample takes longer to check. The AQL calculator gives the sample for your lot.
- Number of styles or SKUs. Each style needs its own measurements, approved-sample comparison, function tests and photos.
- Product complexity. Assembling and testing furniture takes longer per unit than checking folded towels.
- On-site tests. Assembly trials, moisture readings and carton drop tests add time.
- Factory readiness. Goods that are packed, counted and stacked for sampling are faster to inspect than goods spread across a workshop.
- Travel. Several factories in one order, or a factory far from the inspector's base, can add time and cost.
Clear To Load confirms the number of man-days before you book, so the price is known in advance.
Worked example: 800 wooden dressers
A buyer orders 800 wooden dressers in 2 styles and books a pre-shipment inspection at general level II. The lot of 800 gives code letter J and a sample of 80 units. Two furniture styles sit inside the guide of 3 styles per man-day, so the inspection is one man-day. What it costs depends on the factory's city and its travel band:
| Factory location | Band | Man-days | Calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jodhpur | A | 1 | 1 × US$249, no travel fee | US$249 |
| Jaipur | B | 1 | 1 × (US$249 + US$99 travel) | US$348 |
| Jaipur, 5 styles | B | 2 | 2 × (US$249 + US$99 travel) | US$696 |
| Elsewhere in India | C | 1 | 1 × US$249 + actual travel cost | Quoted before booking |
The third row assumes the buyer adds 3 more styles. Five furniture styles are beyond the guide for one man-day, so the order may need two; we confirm the number before you book. If the lot is Not cleared, a reinspection after rework costs US$149 per visit, plus travel by band. Look up your factory's band on the coverage page.
Comparing man-day prices
A low day rate can cost more if travel, report fees or reinspections are charged on top. When you compare quotes from inspection companies, ask four questions:
- Is travel to the factory included, and if not, how is it charged?
- Is the report, with photos, included in the man-day?
- How many hours on site does one man-day cover?
- What does a reinspection cost after a failed inspection?
Clear To Load publishes one day rate and three travel bands, so the total is clear before you book. Other companies' published rates are compared in inspection prices in India compared.