On Sunday, an English teacher living in China asked me how he could get involved in quality control. And more specifically how he could perform a few inspections as a freelancer, to earn more money.
This is really a case of supply-and-demand mismatch: inspection firms can’t hire as many foreign inspectors as they want (because they wouldn’t get visas for all these immigrants when the locals can do the job), and on the other hand many foreigners have proper visas and extra time on their hands but don’t know what to do.
I guess some other foreigners living here might be interested, so I might as well write something about it on this blog.
I have no magic trick to offer. Only a few ideas.
The best is to find an importer who has very particular needs (and is not satisfied with the standard services generally offered by the QC industry) and can take the time to train you. If he can rely on you, he will likely need your services as long as he buys from China!
You can read this blog to understand how inspections are usually performed. Be sure to have a look at How To Do QC Inspections By Yourself as a first step.
In that case, you have the choice about the way to get paid. The less risky is to ask for a fixed amount per day of work, with a variable part based on travel expenses (hint: aim somewhere between $200 and $400 per day).
Another option is get paid on commission if orders are large enough (say, 2% of total FOB amount), or a fixed fee (say, $1,000 per month for a few days of work on average).
You can also contact some quality control firms. They often feel the need to hire foreigners to audit their inspectors’ behavior. They might also like the idea of using a foreigner to supervise a bunch of inspectors during some sensitive jobs (e.g. a 100% check of a large quantity of products, or an inspection of a large order in a factory that is known for giving red envelopes a little too easily).
Quality control firms get paid by the number of days of work (man-days, as we say), so that’s how they might propose to pay you. They have probably access to plenty of Chinese freelancers, but not to many committed foreign freelancers. So don’t ask for 400 rmb per man-day + expenses–that’s what Chinese inspectors are usually paid. Start somewhere below 1,000 rmb to get trained at the beginning, with the understanding that fees will be higher down the road.
How to get these contacts?
Importers are not easy to approach. They are constantly solicited during their China buying trips, so getting their attention is not easy. However, many are looking for foreign inspectors. Ask around you, offer interpreter services to 5-star hotels, go to trade shows and give namecards…
Quality control companies are easy to find on Google, alibaba.com, or globalsources.com. Call them and ask to talk to a manager–the assistants won’t dare to say no if they think you are a buyer ;-)
Oh, and why don’t you start by leaving your name and contact info in the comments, below this article?
{ 72 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Hi Renaud,
I am working here in Vietnam as QA Manager in a Garment Manufacturing. I do handle factory quality auditors. For a change I would like to join a a group of freelance auditors/Inspectors to be on call for a project in the future. Thanks for this post.
Hi Marivic,
Thanks for leaving your info on this site!
Hi, There, So good to have chance to present myself here
My Name is Davy Song , I am QC Quality engineer and work as a freelance consultant in Shanghai ,China and I have over 10 years Quality Control in china, Would absolutely be your trusted partners in china and are ready to work with you for QC Control or supplier Audit here to avoid potential risks before shipments and before placing order. and for sure be pleasure to provide your valuable suggestions . Please contact me at davysongsh@yahoo.com.cn. Many Thanks for your attention and looking forward hearing from you soon!
Thanks Davy… But this page was about foreigners looking for a job…
Hello,
This is Girish From India, living & working as freelancer in Shanghai working for a textile/apparel industry with an experience over 15yrs in the said industry & i can take up any working pertaining to follow up orders, production control, online inspections, final inspection before shipment & other kinds of jobs in sourcing, i have been sourcing fabrics for US & UK buyers brands like Gap, Target, American Eagle, Dillards, JC Penny, M&S, Zara, Liz, Ann Taylor,Tommy, A&F, Hollister, Walmart, K-mart, Sears, Polo Ralph, Sean John, Gymboree etc., Also for some south american markets like Mexico, Brazil, Panama, LA, South Aftrica markets etc.,
If any importers are looking forward for any kind of services in china / india please do contact me over a mail & we can take it up from theier case to case.
Thanks Girish…
im living in vn and as a qa supervisor in garment fty,previous exprerience is a lap test dept technician in polo,hv 15 years in garment fty ,retired aged,just looking a job to enjoy and pass my time as feel that my healty still vry good to spend in the work hour! can handle inline,endline,final inspection,packing dept,inhouse team.ever handle buyer such as gap,jcp,anf,konls,macy,holister,chaming,etc about 10 years station in china,other like fiji,malaysia,cambodia,sililanga,africa,japan,……
looking forward for all kind of work n contact me in email add- winnieong2002@yahoo.com.sg or winnieong2002@yahoo.com.cn or contact no in vietnam # +84-1234761007
Thank n hope can hearing from you soon.
very impressive idea.
I am an Inspector in Shenzhen,many years in this field,just want to be a freelance, so someone need QC partner,pls contact with me ASAP.
Thanks Azhu. Where are you from?
Hi Renaud,
Thanks for the article and ideas. I am an american living in China for 12+ years. Been doing QC and management for US companies for 8 of those years. I now have my own business and visa, but would be interested in part time and freelancing opportunities. I’m in Ningbo, near Shanghai and well familiar with Guangdong as well. Would rather not post my email here, but would be pleased if you want to contact me. Would love to explore opportunity and collaboration with you or any posters here.
David,
I am going to send you an email. And, if a reader wants to get your contact info, he/she should ask me for it.
Hello Renaud,
This is Mohammad Saif from India, working & living in China since 2009. I am a Sr. Technical Consultant (QA/QC Inspector) in footwear QA company. Just for a change i want to switch to other company or brand in same filed. Can you give me your thoughts on this on how to move forward to get positive results…
Many Thanks,
M Saif
Mohammad,
I guess you should simply contact China-based buying offices and inspection firms.
American living in Xiamen, Fujian, China is looking for temporary or long-term contract work. No more than a couple days a week. 20 years experience in business and 5 years in the import/export business. Can do inspections, managing inspectors, contract negotiations, QA/QC, etc. Contact me by email if you would like to discuss your needs. Degree in electrical engineering.
Thanks,
Dale Widner
Thanks Dale. I’ll give your contact to readers who ask me for it.
I am Having complete knowledge in all Aspects in the field of Garment Manufacturing Covering Gents, Ladies ,Childrens and Denim garments With Hi –Teck Embleshment added Garments in Knits and Woven. also Having Experience in Scarves ,Bandanas, Stoles ,Ponchos and Home Furnishing like Bed Sheets,Pillow Covers,Devits,terry towels etc with all types of Printing, Hand Embrodary ,Machine and Computer Embrodary Sequences .Familair with AQL levels 4 ,2.5 and 1.5 ,experienced in Fty Evaluation, Setting fty as per Buyers Standards required , Sourcing vendors, computer knowledge with Word, Excel ,Outlook Express and Internet.
I have my own office setup in india (mumbai) i can handle orders from sampling to shipment exp inline mid and final inspections as per buyers standards.
Thanks Gerard. So you are based in Mumbai, right? Where are you from, originally?
Dear Renaud,
I am Akaash from Mauritius Island, and i have working experience of over 20 years in Q.A both woven and knitted products. I returned to Mauritius, from Kenya last month, where i was working for a Taiwan company.
I have worked various companies like ESQ, YGM, Li&Fung in the past. Having settled down in Mauritius and decided to use my experience and contacts, i have decided to launch myself as a freelancer.
I shall be grateful if you could consider me and provide me your assistance to further develop my business as a freelancer.
Kind regards,
Akaash
Akaashbidraj,
Thanks. If a reader asks for your contact info, I’ll give it.
Hi
I have been living in China for 5 years doing QC work. I have a number of full time and part time Chinese inspectors, but try and go out the factories as much as possible especially for larger cleints.
Now I specialize in Candy, Toys, Metalware and Machinery.
This way I know the problems and can fine tune procedures because I’m out in the field and not at a desk looking at my bank account like most smaller Chinese based QC company bosses do.
I know the ‘local ways’ around Guangdong and what happens under the tables here and in Ningbo.
Which is way I go out of my way for the majority of the inspections so I can assess it without this rubbish local ‘my friend la’ traditions.
I would like more foreigners on board becuase of these problems, but am currently managing with my hand picked Chinese ones.
Please note, corruption is everywhere here and I hate it, it can destory your company reputation in a blink of an eye. Even the much larger QC companies have these issues everyday with their inspectors.
Now clients request me for sensitive orders, sometimes I go out 6 hours away for an inspection, but it doesnt bother me I love what I do and have kept my morals and principals in place.
For any buyers out there, please respect inspectors and they deserve as the honest ones really do a good job.
Thanks Jason, I agree with you on these points.
Hi jason, and others…
Good to see your post, I am currently living in Guangzhou and have done some inspections last year in Guandong and Xiamen for the importer I worked for last year.
On the moment I am starting for myself doing free lance inspections and connecting supplier with buyer to do some commission work.
If anybody is interested in sending me on inspection, or anybody is interested in teach me more about inspections please contact me!
ninitradenl@gmail.com
Kind Regards,
Niels
← Previous Comments