Quality

First article inspection (FAI)

A first article inspection is a complete check of the first part from a new production setup against every requirement on the drawing.

Every dimension, tolerance, material and finish note is measured or verified and recorded, usually on a ballooned drawing. In aerospace the format is set by AS9102; in other industries it is agreed with the customer. Asking a new Mexican supplier for an FAI report on the first batch is one of the cheapest ways to catch misunderstandings before full production.

General information, not legal or customs advice. Rules and tariffs change; confirm details for your product with your customs broker.