Start with one complete saleable unit
Ask the supplier to lay out one product, its accessories, instructions and retail packaging together. Match each item to the proposed packing list. A display sample may not include the same cable, battery or packaging as the quotation. Record those differences before discussing the appearance of the box.
Check how the product sits inside the pack
Open and close the pack as a customer would. Look for movement, pressure on switches and contact between a lens and a hard accessory. Ask how inserts and accessory bags will be specified. A neat sample is useful for reviewing fit, but it does not establish resistance to transport damage. Agree separately on any transport testing required for your distribution route.
Review artwork at a readable size
Check the model code, product image, included items and language on the actual-size artwork. Identify which details change across variants. Keep performance claims tied to the approved specification, and confirm the applicable labeling requirements for the destination before approving artwork. Assign a revision number so an outdated proof cannot be mistaken for the current version.
Connect retail packaging to the outer carton
Confirm units per carton, carton dimensions and the proposed shipping marks. Establish whether listed weight is estimated or measured from a packed carton. Ask how mixed models will be separated and identified. This information helps your receiving team reconcile cartons with the packing list without opening every retail pack.
Use a written packaging approval
Record approved materials, artwork version, packing sequence and unresolved items. Where possible, retain a complete reference pack. Ask the supplier to confirm any substitutions before production. If branding is still under review, make clear that approving the product sample does not also approve unfinished artwork.
Does custom packaging have the same minimum quantity as the product?
Not necessarily. Ask for product and packaging minimums separately, along with any setup charge and the treatment of unused printed packaging. Get the agreed arrangement in the quotation before committing to a trial order.