Purpose & Scope

This Standard Operating Procedure defines the pre-shipment inspection (PSI) process for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) — including AC chargers, DC fast chargers, and portable EVSE units — exported from manufacturing facilities in China to buyers in New Zealand. The procedure combines acceptance sampling per ISO 2859-1 and a re-verification of UN38.3 transport testing for any integrated or supplied battery modules. [Claim: ISO 2859-1 is the standard for sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes | Src: ISO 2859-1 | URL: https://www.iso.org/standard/11437.html | accessed 2026-09-21] [Claim: The UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (UN38.3) is required for lithium battery transport classification | Src: UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods | URL: https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods | accessed 2026-09-21]

Vertical scope: EV charging stations, including wall-mounted AC units (typically 7 kW–22 kW), pedestal DC fast chargers (typically 30 kW–150 kW), and portable Level 1/2 EVSE.

Document Checklist

The following documents must be assembled before commencing the inspection. Filenames match the file naming convention used in our document management system.

PSI-PO-CONFIRM-V001.pdf — Purchase Order Confirmation with Incoterm
EVSE-SPEC-SHEET-LATEST.pdf — Product Specification Sheet (OEM datasheet)
UN38.3-TEST-SUMMARY-VENDOR.pdf — UN38.3 Test Summary from battery vendor
IEC-61851-CE-CONFORMITY.pdf or UL-2202-CERT.pdf — Safety conformity certificate
ISO-2859-1-AQL-TABLE.pdf — Reference AQL sampling table (Level II)
PSI-CHECKLIST-TEMPLATE-V3.docx — Standard TradVolt PSI checklist template
SHIPPING-PACKING-LIST-DRAFT.xlsx — Packing list with carton quantities and weights
MSDS-LITHIUM-CELL.pdf — Material Safety Data Sheet for lithium cells (if applicable)

Process Timeline & Dependencies

Day	Activity	Dependency (Predecessor)
Day 0	PO receipt and document gathering	—
Day 1	UN38.3 re-check and AQL plan selection	Day 0 complete
Day 2	Visual, dimensional, and functional inspection	Day 1 complete
Day 3	Defect classification and AQL evaluation	Day 2 complete
Day 4	Report preparation and buyer submission	Day 3 complete
Day 5	Buyer approval and release for shipment	Day 4 complete

Inspection Process — Step Sequence

Step #	Action	Owner	Input doc	Output doc	Done-when
1	Verify PO, Incoterm (e.g., FOB Shanghai per Incoterms 2020), and buyer special requirements.	TradVolt Account Manager	Purchase Order	`PSI-PO-CONFIRM-V001.pdf` (signed)	Incoterm, destination port (NZ), and acceptance criteria confirmed in writing.
2	Confirm HS code classification and New Zealand import requirements via official customs portal.	TradVolt Logistics Coordinator	Product specification	`HS-VERIFICATION-NOTES.docx`	HS code entered into checklist; NZ import requirements listed.
3	Pre-inspection document review: compile test reports, prior PSI history, and packing list.	QA Coordinator	UN38.3 summary, CE/UL cert, packing list	`PSI-DOC-REVIEW-LOG.docx`	All required documents logged and verified as current.
4	UN38.3 re-check: verify the battery's UN38.3 Test Summary is available, the test date is within the validity window required by carriers, and the cells are properly classified (e.g., UN3480 or UN3481).	QA Engineer	`UN38.3-TEST-SUMMARY-VENDOR.pdf`, `MSDS-LITHIUM-CELL.pdf`	`UN38.3-RECHECK-FORM.pdf`	UN38.3 summary signed; UN number and shipping description recorded.
5	Select AQL sampling plan: determine lot size (number of units in production batch), apply ISO 2859-1 Level II General Inspection. Default AQLs: 1.0 for major defects, 2.5 for minor defects, 0 for critical defects.	QA Manager	Lot size, ISO 2859-1 table	`AQL-SAMPLE-SIZE-CALC.xlsx`	Sample size code letter and acceptance/rejection numbers recorded.
6	Conduct visual and dimensional inspection on the randomly selected sample units: housing integrity, labeling (rating plate, safety marks), connector type, cable length, and packaging condition.	On-site Inspector	`PSI-CHECKLIST-TEMPLATE-V3.docx`, OEM spec sheet	`PSI-VISUAL-LOG.docx` + photos	All sample units inspected; any defects photographed.
7	Perform functional and safety tests on sample units: power-on self-test, charging handshake (e.g., IEC 61851-1 protocol), ground continuity, insulation resistance (where applicable per OEM service manual).	QA Engineer	OEM service manual, test equipment	`PSI-FUNCTIONAL-RESULTS.pdf`	All test results logged; pass/fail per unit recorded.
8	Record and classify all defects found: Critical (safety, function failure), Major (visible defect likely to shorten life), Minor (cosmetic). Cross-check against AQL plan.	QA Manager	Inspection logs from Steps 6–7	`PSI-DEFECT-SUMMARY.xlsx`	Every defect categorized; totals per category calculated.
9	Evaluate AQL result: compare defect count against the acceptance number from the sampling table. If all categories ≤ acceptance number → Accept. If any category ≥ rejection number → Reject.	QA Manager	`AQL-SAMPLE-SIZE-CALC.xlsx`, `PSI-DEFECT-SUMMARY.xlsx`	Decision recorded in `PSI-REPORT-DRAFT.pdf`	Accept/Reject decision justified against ISO 2859-1 table.
10	Issue Pre-Shipment Inspection Report: compile results, defect summary, photos, and decision. Include reference to UN38.3 re-check and AQL plan used.	QA Manager	All prior step outputs	`PSI-FINAL-REPORT-V01.pdf`	Report signed and dated; ready for buyer review.
11	Obtain buyer written approval and release for shipment. Retain report copy with shipping file.	TradVolt Account Manager	`PSI-FINAL-REPORT-V01.pdf`	`BUYER-APPROVAL-EMAIL.pdf`, shipping release note	Buyer approval received; lot released to logistics for container loading.

Duty / HS Code Block

Item	Detail
Equipment / Parts	EV charging stations (EVSE): AC wall-mounted, pedestal DC fast chargers, portable EVSE
Indicative HS code (AC EVSE)	8537.10 — Boards, panels, consoles for electric control or distribution (verify per product)
Indicative HS code (DC fast chargers)	8504.40 — Static converters (verify per product)
Indicative HS code (connectors / cable assemblies)	8536.69 — Plugs and sockets (verify per product)
New Zealand import duty rate	PENDING — lookup on NZ Customs Service Working Tariff
GST (NZ)	PENDING — lookup on ird.govt.nz (Goods and Services Tax on imported goods)
Official portal — NZ Customs	New Zealand Customs Service — Working Tariff Document: https://www.customs.govt.nz/
Official portal — NZ GST	Inland Revenue Department: https://www.ird.govt.nz/

Disclaimer: HS classifications and duty/GST rates are indicative and must be confirmed by the importer or a licensed customs broker before shipment. TradVolt does not provide customs brokerage or tax advice. Final duty rates depend on exact product configuration, country of origin, and any applicable free trade agreements.

Cost Slots (Indicative)

Cost Element	Status	Note
Inspector day rate (CN, on-site)	indicative	Provided in quotation
Travel and accommodation (if outside main hubs)	UNCERTAIN	Quoted per location
Re-inspection fee (if lot rejected and reworked)	indicative	Same as initial PSI fee
AQL plan re-evaluation	no additional charge	Included in PSI

Reader-Facing CTAs

Need this inspection scheduled for your next EVSE shipment CN→NZ?

Request Quote — replies in 48h

Download Pre-Shipment Inspection Checklist (PDF)

References

ISO 2859-1 — Sampling procedures by attributes. https://www.iso.org/standard/11437.html — accessed 2026-09-21.
UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria (UN38.3). https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods — accessed 2026-09-21.
IEC 61851-1 — Electric vehicle conductive charging system. https://www.iec.ch/ — accessed 2026-09-21.
UL 2202 — EV Charging System Equipment. https://www.ul.com/ — accessed 2026-09-21.
Incoterms 2020 — International Chamber of Commerce. https://iccwbo.org/ — accessed 2026-09-21.
New Zealand Customs Service — Working Tariff. https://www.customs.govt.nz/ — accessed 2026-09-21.
Inland Revenue Department (NZ) — GST on imported goods. https://www.ird.govt.nz/ — accessed 2026-09-21.