BUYER GUIDES

Custom Furniture Pre-Shipment Checklist for Overseas Buyers

2026-09-28 · TY Furniture Factory

Before custom furniture is packed, review it against the approved order rather than the inspiration photograph alone. Ask for clearly identified photos or videos and a record of any unresolved points. Remote review is useful, but it cannot replace every physical inspection.

Prepare the approved reference documents

Have the final order list, drawing revisions and material codes ready. Confirm which item each image shows, especially when several similar pieces are being made. A production update is easier to assess when the product code or project reference appears with it.

Use the same checklist for each item. Record the point checked, the evidence supplied and whether clarification is needed. This is more precise than approving a whole order after seeing a few attractive wide-angle photos.

Ask for views that answer specific questions

Request front, side and back views where relevant, plus close-ups of important details. These might include seams, corners, visible joints, table edges, bases or hardware. Ask for images before protective wrapping hides the surfaces you need to review.

If a photo does not make a detail clear, identify the exact area and request another view. Photos can show appearance, but they cannot establish every aspect of structural quality, comfort or long-term performance.

Check the agreed dimensions and configuration

Where a measurement matters, ask for a clear measurement photo or video and compare it with the approved drawing. Check what the measurement includes and which unit is being used. Any dimensional tolerance should be agreed for the order; do not invent a universal pass-or-fail allowance.

For a sectional sofa, confirm the arrangement and chaise side. For a bed, check the agreed mattress-related dimensions. For a cabinet, check the approved door or drawer layout. If something differs, ask the factory to explain it before considering the item ready.

Review materials and moving parts

Confirm that the recorded upholstery and finish references match the approved selection. Screen colour varies, so photographs alone are not an exact colour measurement. Refer back to the agreed samples and written specification when discussing a possible mismatch.

For furniture with doors, drawers or other moving parts, request a demonstration of their operation. For furniture delivered in sections, ask to see how the parts are identified and connected. These requests should match the actual design; not every item has the same checks.

Agree how open issues will be closed

Keep a short list of any concerns, linked to the relevant item and photo. Ask what action is proposed and request updated evidence after it is addressed. Avoid mixing a new design request with a correction to an already agreed specification, because they may affect production differently.

TY Furniture Factory uses multi-level quality checks before packing. If you also want an independent inspection, discuss its scope, access and timing with the factory in advance. A buyer's remote review and a factory's QC process serve related but different purposes.

Confirm packing and shipping records

TY offers packaging options ranging from cardboard boxes to wood frames and wooden boxes, according to the agreed requirements. Confirm the packaging selected for your order and how the packed items will be identified. Ask which packing photos and documents will be available before dispatch.

Keep the final packing list and shipment arrangements with the order documents. Your freight forwarder should confirm the agreed delivery scope and any outstanding information they need. See our furniture shipping guide for the broader process.

The most useful final question is simple: does every item have a clear reference, agreed specification and resolved review record? Our drawing approval guide helps establish that reference earlier in the order.