Hhaulkit
QC Guide

How to read QC photos.

A practical, no-fluff walkthrough of the quality-check process. Spot reps before they ship.

What is QC?

QC stands for “quality check.” Before your buying agent ships your stuff internationally, they take photos so you can confirm it's the right item, in the right condition.

You approve it, you reject it, or you request more photos. It's the single most important step between paying and receiving — and it's where the rep community gets serious.

When you order through an agent like CNFans, Kakobuy, or Sugargoo, your item lands at their warehouse first. QC happens there — before international shipping.

How the QC process works

  1. You order an item via your agent's interface (or paste a link via haulkit's converter).
  2. The agent buys it from the seller. The item ships to the agent's warehouse — usually in Guangzhou or Shanghai.
  3. Within 1–5 days of arrival, the agent posts QC photos to your dashboard.
  4. You approve, request more photos (usually free), or reject and return.
  5. Approved items wait in free storage (60–90 days, depending on agent) until you bundle them and ship.

Most agents — including CNFans and Kakobuy — offer free QC photos. Check the Agent Comparison page for a full breakdown.

What to look for

Sneakers

  • Logos: stitching, alignment, font weight
  • Box label: SKU, size, country of origin — should match listing
  • Soles: tread pattern, midsole shape
  • Insole branding and stitching
  • Glue marks, asymmetric panels, color mismatches

Bags

  • Hardware: weight, finish, engraving, screw alignment
  • Stitching: count per inch, evenness, thread color
  • Lining: material match, internal stamps
  • Date code or microchip placement

Clothing

  • Tags: care label fonts, country of origin, size grading
  • Print: alignment, color saturation, cracking
  • Embroidery density and thread tension
  • Use our Size Converter before ordering — CN sizes run small.

Watches

  • Movement type (auto vs quartz) — match listing
  • Dial print, indices, hand alignment
  • Bezel rotation, crown function
  • Bracelet fit and end-link alignment

Red flags — when to return (GL vs RL)

GL (Green Light) means you approve. RL (Red Light) means you reject — the agent returns it to the seller.

Always RL: wrong item, wrong size, structural damage, missing major components.

Usually RL: visible glue, asymmetric stitching, off-center prints, hardware blemishes on RL-tier batches.

Usually GL: minor scuffs, tiny stitching variance, box damage. If the flaw isn't visible at arm's length, GL is often fine.

When in doubt, post QC photos to r/fashionreps — the community is helpful and honest.

Requesting better photos

Most agents take a default 4–6 photos. You can request more — usually free — within a few days of QC. Be specific.

  • Sneakers: sole shot, heel logo close-up, box label, both side profiles.
  • Bags: all hardware engravings, date code, lining label, all four corners.
  • Clothing: tag close-ups, embroidery zoom, flat-lay with tape measure.
  • Watches: dial straight-on, caseback, clasp, weight on scale.

Common mistakes beginners make

  • Skipping QC entirely. Once it ships internationally, returns are far harder and more expensive.
  • Comparing against brand marketing photos. Compare against real retail in-hand shots from the community, not studio-perfect images.
  • Returning over minor cosmetic flaws. If the flaw isn't visible at arm's length, consider whether the return cost is worth it.
  • Not checking the size chart before ordering. A CN "L" is not a US "L". Use our Size Converter.
  • Approving blurry photos. If you can't see the item clearly, request reshoots — always.

Useful resources