How to QC a Turkish Garment Order: AQL, Inline & Final Inspection
Verified Turkish factories accept AQL 2.5 / 4.0 inspections without resistance. Inline inspection mid-run catches defects before they multiply. Final random inspection (FRI) uses ISO 2859-1 sampling. We coordinate SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek and QIMA on behalf of buyers across Istanbul, Bursa and Corlu.
Frequently asked questions
What AQL standard do Turkish factories accept?
AQL 2.5 for major defects and 4.0 for minors is the export-grade default. Premium European brands push AQL 1.5 / 2.5; budget buyers accept 4.0 / 6.5. Always specify the level in the PO.
Should I do inline or only final inspection?
Inline at 30-40% production catches systemic issues (wrong color, sizing drift, stitch density) before the full run finishes. Final FRI alone risks discovering a 5,000-piece defect rate too late to remediate without delay.
Who pays for third-party inspection in Turkey?
The buyer pays. SGS and QIMA quote 250-380 USD per man-day in Istanbul. Some factories absorb costs for established accounts as a goodwill gesture.
What are the most common defects in Turkish garments?
Skipped stitches on knit hems, shade variation across fabric lots, asymmetric pocket placement on denim, and label/care-tag errors. All are inline-catchable.
Can I send my own QC team?
Yes. Most factories accept buyer's QC representatives on-site for the full production cycle. Hotels in Merter or Istanbul Airport area are 15-30 minutes from most factory zones.
Related sourcing topics
Need help applying this in your next PO?
Talk to our sourcing team. We have walked over 200 brands through Turkish factory onboarding since 2018.