Every importer has that one nightmare order - the kind that looks perfect on paper but unravels the moment it lands. For one Spanish tile distributor, that nightmare almost became real.
They were days away from losing a major retail client, tens of thousands of euros, and hard-earned credibility - until AQS stepped in.
Let’s rewind and see how it happened.
How One Ceramic Tile Inspection Changed Everything
It all started like any other confident import — a trusted supplier, a large order, and a tight delivery schedule. But even the most reliable tile shipments can hide costly surprises. Here’s how one Spanish importer uncovered hidden defects just in time
The Backstory: A Confident Order from Morbi
The excellent client, a medium-sized tile distributor in Valencia, Spain, was familiar with importing tiles from Morbi, India, the center of tile production globally.
They primarily dealt with glazed porcelain tiles - importing 3-4 containers per month for retail and project use.
This time, the order was for a 25,000 plus sq. ft. order for a rapid retail project with a quick turnaround.
Everything seemed smooth. The supplier promised quality, the timelines were tight, and the container was almost ready for dispatch.
But the importer had a history.
Just months earlier, a similar shipment had arrived with shade variation and surface unevenness - defects subtle enough to escape a basic factory check but serious enough to cause installation delays and unhappy customers.
This time, the importer decided to play it smart. Before the tiles hit the port, they called in Asian Quality Services (AQS) for a Ceramic Tile Inspection.
The Twist: What the AQS Inspectors Found
When AQS inspectors reached the factory floor in Morbi, what they discovered wasn’t pretty.
Tiles that looked great under the factory lights revealed issues under proper inspection.
Here’s what they found after a full visual and dimensional check:
- Color variation across three pallets - noticeable enough to stand out once installed.
- Surface glaze inconsistency, creating patches that reflected light unevenly.
- Edge chipping on roughly 7% of tiles - unacceptable for high-end retail use.
- Mislabeled boxes that didn’t match the approved design, risking confusion during installation.
The AQS team documented everything - over 80 images, detailed notes, and side-by-side comparisons with the approved reference sample.
When the client saw the report, they immediately put the shipment on hold.
Learn more about our Pre-Shipment Tile Inspection process
The Turning Point: Holding Back to Move Forward
At this stage, the importer faced a choice:
- Let the shipment go, hoping the defects wouldn’t be noticed until installation, or
- Stop everything, fix the issue at the source, and save the bigger loss down the line.
They chose the latter.
Under AQS’s guidance, the factory was instructed to re-sort, replace, and repackage the defective tiles. The AQS team then performed a re-inspection, ensuring the corrected batch met both ISO and AQS internal standards before clearance.
Once the shipment passed inspection, it was released - this time, with full confidence.
The project stayed on schedule. No re-imports. No rejections. No panicked phone calls from the retail client.
The Result: Problems Solved Before They Shipped
Here’s what that one timely inspection achieved:
| Benefit | Impact |
| Cost Avoided | €50,000 in potentially defective tiles |
| Delay Avoided | The project stayed on schedule |
| Reputation Protected | No client complaints |
| Quality Assurance | Increased trust with the supplier through AQS oversight |
That’s not just a win - that’s insurance against chaos.
The Client’s Words
“We would have lost our biggest retail client over this. AQS didn’t just inspect - they protected our business.”
Managing Director, Valencia
That’s the kind of relief every importer wants - knowing someone’s got your back when the stakes are high.
What This Story Really Teaches Importers
Tile defects aren’t rare. They’re often hidden behind perfect packaging, smooth sales talk, or rushed timelines.
A shipment might look flawless until it’s unpacked at the destination - by then, it’s too late. Imagine discovering shade variation or chipped edges after customs clearance. You can’t send it back easily. You can’t re-polish or recolor the tiles. You just absorb the loss.
That’s why Ceramic Tile Inspection isn’t a formality - it’s a strategy. It ensures your shipment is exactly what you paid for before it leaves the factory.
How AQS Made the Difference
AQS (Asian Quality Services) didn’t just tick boxes - they applied years of field experience and tile expertise to catch what factory QC missed.
With 14+ years of experience and a dedicated team of tile inspectors across India, AQS brings:
- Pre-production checks – to verify raw material quality and production setup.
- In-process inspections – catching defects while batches are being made.
- Pre-shipment inspections – detailed sampling, measurement, and visual assessment before the container is sealed.
- Loading supervision – ensuring the right products, packaging, and labels make it onto the right shipment.
Each step saves importers from the domino effect of hidden defects: financial loss, shipment delays, and reputation damage.
And the best part? AQS clients don’t just get reports - they get proof, photos, and full visibility of every step.
The Takeaway: Inspection Pays for Itself
“A Spanish tile importer avoided a €50,000 loss after a Ceramic Tile Inspection by AQS revealed color variations, edge chipping, and mislabeled boxes before shipment. The inspection allowed re-sorting and ensured defect-free delivery.”
This isn’t just about avoiding a €50,000 loss - it’s about protecting every deal, every relationship, and every deadline that depends on quality.
For importers, inspection is not an expense - it’s a profit safeguard.
AQS has been ensuring that reality for global clients for over a decade - keeping shipments clean, projects smooth, and customers happy.
Bonus for new clients: Get your first 5 container inspections free and experience the difference that true transparency brings.
When the next shipment leaves the factory, make sure it’s a reason to celebrate - not a crisis waiting to happen.
