What AQL level should a clothing importer use for final inspection?

The apparel industry norm is AQL 2.5 (major defects) and 4.0 (minor defects), with critical defects at zero tolerance. These levels come from the ISO 2859-1 / ANSI ASQ Z1.4 sampling standard, which also defines the inspection level — General Inspection Level II is standard for garment shipments.

Practical guidance for importers: keep 2.5/4.0 for standard outdoor and workwear programmes; tighten major defects to AQL 1.0–1.5 for premium or technical lines where seam taping and waterproofing matter commercially. Whatever you choose, write the AQL levels, inspection level and defect classification into the purchase contract, and require the factory's inline inspection reports — not just the final one — so problems surface while there is still time to rework.