¶ 1. Definition
Partial Shipment refers to the process of shipping the total quantity specified in a single Purchase Order (PO) or Letter of Credit (L/C) in two or more separate installments rather than loading it all onto a single means of transport (vessel, aircraft, etc.). This occurs due to production schedules, raw material supply conditions, logistics optimization, or urgent requests from the buyer.
From the perspective of Supply Chain Management (SCM) in the garment industry, partial shipment is a strategic decision-making process essential for responding to line balancing disruptions caused by delays in raw material intake, early delivery of specific styles/colors to stores, or maximizing container loading efficiency (CBM management). In terms of trade practice, a separate Packing List and Commercial Invoice must be issued for each shipment lot. In L/C transactions, the "Partial Shipments Allowed" clause must be explicitly stated to prevent discrepancies during payment negotiation.
¶ 2. Technical Specifications and Standards
| Item | Detailed Specifications and Criteria | Related Standard/Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Regulations | UCP 600 Article 31 (Partial Shipments and Drawing) | ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) |
| Quality Inspection Standards | ISO 2859-1:1999 (AQL Sampling Inspection) | ISO Standard |
| Stitch Classification | ISO 4915:1991 (Consistency in Stitch Types 301, 401, 504, etc.) | ISO Standard |
| Shipment Tolerance | Generally ±3% to ±5% based on quantity | Buyer Contract Terms |
| Essential Equipment | Conveyor Type Needle Detector | Manufacturer Specs (Hashima, Nissin) |
| Needle Detector Models | Hashima HN-880C, Nissin ND-395 (Equipped with high-sensitivity sensors) | Field Standard Equipment |
| Data Management | ERP / WMS (Warehouse Management System) Integration | Factory Operating System |
| Packaging Specifications | 5-Ply Double Wall Corrugated Carton (Export Strength) | ASTM D5118 |
| Barcode Standards | GS1-128 or Buyer-specified SKU Barcode | International Barcode Standards |
| Finishing Pressing | Temperature 140°C–160°C, Pressure 0.4–0.5MPa (Varies by material) | Naomoto/Veit Specifications |
| Thread Tension Management | Lockstitch 0.2–0.3N based on Towa Digital Tension Gauge | Field Technical Standard |
¶ 3. Application Fields
- Fast Fashion: Applied when the trend-sensitive initial drop is shipped first by air to gauge market response, while the remaining balance is transported by sea to reduce logistics costs.
- Raw Material Supply Imbalance: If the intake of fabrics or trims (zippers, buttons, special labels, etc.) for specific sizes or colors is delayed, the completed SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) are shipped first to alleviate the burden of inventory accumulation in the factory and improve cash flow.
- Large-scale Project Orders: Essential for orders involving tens of thousands of units, such as uniforms, military wear, or industrial safety gear, which must be delivered sequentially according to monthly or quarterly schedules.
- Logistics Optimization and Pooling: Used as a strategy to increase transport efficiency by including completed portions of other orders when there is remaining CBM (Cubic Meter) space during container loading.
- E-commerce Response: For online-exclusive products, partial shipments are conducted weekly to match the intake capacity of logistics centers, thereby maximizing inventory turnover.
¶ 4. Key Defects and Practical Troubleshooting
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Symptom: Quantity Discrepancy (Shortage/Overage) - Root Cause Analysis: Manual entry errors during Packing List preparation or failure to immediately reflect quantities rejected as defective after Final Inspection in the system. Data corruption often occurs when trying to compensate for shortages from the 1st shipment in the 2nd shipment. - Interim Check: Conduct real-time cross-referencing between carton scanning data and ERP shipping instruction data. - Final Solution: Implement a barcode-based digital packing system and fundamentally prevent quantity omissions through weight checks before final carton sealing. Maintain an error margin within ±0.2kg per carton.
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Symptom: Lot Mixing and Shade Variation - Root Cause Analysis: Fabrics from different dye lots are used between the 1st and 2nd partial shipments, resulting in color differences between products when displayed in stores. Claims may also arise from differences in stitch luster if different lots of sewing thread are used on the production floor. - Interim Check: Verify roll numbers and shade band records of fabrics used for each shipment. Cross-reference fabric inspection data according to the 4-Point System. - Final Solution: Assign identification codes (e.g., 1st Ship, 2nd Ship) to carton markings and control production planning to ensure products from the same lot are shipped in the same installment. Manage the issuance of sewing threads from the warehouse to ensure the same batch numbers are used whenever possible.
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Symptom: L/C Discrepancy - Root Cause Analysis: The factory proceeds with partial shipment despite the L/C stating "Partial Shipment Prohibited," leading to bank payment refusal. Or, the total amount of individual shipments exceeds the total L/C value. - Interim Check: Re-verify UCP 600 Article 31 (Partial Shipments) and Article 32 (Instalment Drawings or Shipments) in the L/C clauses before shipping. - Final Solution: Negotiate with the buyer to process an L/C Amendment or obtain a Waiver before shipment. Clearly indicate "Partial Shipment 1 of 2" on documents.
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Symptom: Metal Contamination (Uninspected products) - Root Cause Analysis: Some cartons bypass the needle detector process due to small partial shipment quantities and tight shipping schedules. There is a high risk of broken needle fragments being mixed in during the repair process of the balance remaining after the 1st shipment. - Interim Check: Verify the attachment of "Passed" stickers on each carton and cross-reference quantities with the daily needle detection report. Check sensitivity every hour using a 0.8mm Fe test piece (based on Hashima HN-880C). - Final Solution: Establish a physical gate layout where goods can only enter the logistics warehouse after passing the needle detector, and issue unique serial number barcodes only to inspected cartons. Ensure all fragments of broken needles are collected and attached to the 'Broken Needle Log'.
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Symptom: LCL Cargo Damage and Misdelivery - Root Cause Analysis: When shipping small partial quantities via LCL (Less than Container Load), compression damage by other cargo or sorting errors by the forwarder occurs. - Interim Check: Measure carton Edge Crush Test (ECT) strength and verify pallet wrapping status. - Final Solution: Reinforce with plastic banding, attach edge boards to the four corners of the carton to enhance durability, and apply highly visible shipping marks.
¶ 5. Quality Inspection and Management Standards
- Independent Inspection per Shipment: Each batch shipped partially is considered a separate order. Each shipment must pass an independent Final Inspection according to the ISO 2859-1 sampling plan. Passing the 1st shipment does not justify skipping or reducing the sample size for the 2nd shipment.
- AQL Severity Adjustment: When partial shipments are made, the sample size relative to the total quantity decreases, which tends to make the acceptance number (Ac) relatively stricter. For example, if a 10,000-unit order is split into five shipments of 2,000 units, the sampling size for each 2,000 units (125 pcs based on Level II) is proportionally higher than the sampling size for the total 10,000 units (200 pcs). Therefore, in-line inspections must be strengthened to increase the final pass rate.
- Carton Marking Consistency: Ensure the current shipment number relative to the total quantity is accurately marked (e.g., CTN NO. 1-50 / Total 200). This is a key indicator for inventory management at the buyer's warehouse.
- Traceability of Balance: The balance remaining after the 1st shipment must be stored and managed in a separate isolated area to ensure raw material lots do not change. Caution is required as season codes or production date codes on trims (labels, care labels) may change between shipments.
¶ 6. Factory Slang and Regional Practical Differences
| Language | Term | Romanization | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 한국어 (KR) | 분할 선적 | Bunhal Seonjeok | 공식 표준 용어 |
| 한국어 (KR) | 파샬 | Pasial | Partial을 일본식 발음 체계로 수용한 현장 은어 |
| 한국어 (KR) | 쪼개기 선적 | Jjogaegi | 물량을 나누어 보낸다는 현장 속어 |
| 베트남어 (VN) | Giao hàng lẻ | Giao hang le | 부분/소량 인도 (현장 통용) |
| 베트남어 (VN) | Xuất hàng từng phần | Xuat hang tung phan | 정식 행정 용어 |
| 일본어 (JP) | 分割出荷 | Bunkatsu Shukka | 일본 현지에서 사용하는 정식 용어 |
| 일본어 (JP) | パシャール | Pasharu | 한국의 영향으로 일부 사용되나 빈도 낮음 |
| 중국어 (CN) | 分批装运 | Fenpi Zhuangyun | 분배 선적 (공식 명칭) |
[Fact Check] Origin and Misconception of 'Pasial': The term 'Pasial' commonly used in Korean garment factories originated from adapting the English word 'Partial' to the Japanese phonetic system (Pasharu). However, factories in Japan primarily use the term 'Bunkatsu (分割)'. The expression 'Pasharu' in Japan is often a reverse inflow from factories where Korean technicians are present or from transactions with Korean companies. Therefore, it is appropriate to classify this as typical Korean factory slang (Konglish), and it is recommended to use 'Partial Shipment' or 'Bunhal Seonjeok' in official documents.
¶ 7. System and Equipment Setting Guide
- Needle Detector Sensitivity Setting:
- Maintain sensitivity based on a 0.8mm Fe sphere at all times for partial shipments of children's wear and innerwear. For adult wear, 1.0mm–1.2mm may be applied depending on buyer standards.
- Set belt speed to 30m/min–40m/min to ensure precision.
- Calibrate sensitivity every hour using a test piece (9-point check) and keep the records. Ensure there is no interference from magnetic objects such as large motors or high-voltage lines nearby.
- Barcode Printer (Zebra ZT411, etc.) Setting:
- Set the darkness of the thermal transfer printer between 12 and 15 to prevent barcode smudging due to humidity during long-term sea transport.
- Use Resin or Wax-Resin ribbon types to prevent damage from friction.
- Control serial numbers in the ERP system to ensure barcode sequences do not overlap between partial shipments.
- Digital Scale Calibration:
- Use a scale capable of measuring down to 0.1kg to prevent quantity omissions during partial shipment.
- Adjust the zero point with standard weights before starting work every day to manage carton weight error within ±0.2kg. The tare weight deviation of the cartons themselves must also be considered.
¶ 8. Process Flowchart (Mermaid)
¶ 9. Regional Practical Differences and Field Know-how
¶ 9.1 Korean Factories (Domestic Production)
In the production for Korean domestic brands, partial shipments are often executed urgently to meet 'store delivery dates.' Since quantities are often small, partial deliveries via quick service or small trucks are frequent, and management is centered on 'Delivery Notes' rather than formal shipping documents. Technically, goods are often dispatched immediately after final pressing (Finishing), so care must be taken not to skip the cooling process. Packing cartons without sufficient cooling causes condensation inside the box, which leads to mold.
¶ 9.2 Vietnam Factories (Large Export Factories)
Vietnam serves as a mass production base where partial shipments often occur in container units (FCL). Since the interval between the 1st and 2nd shipments can be long, humidity control during warehouse storage of unshipped goods is critical. Especially during the rainy season, industrial dehumidifiers must be operated to maintain warehouse humidity below 60%. In Vietnam, partial shipment is called 'Xuat hang tung phan,' and since export declarations must be filed separately for each shipment, high accuracy in documentation is required.
¶ 9.3 Bangladesh and Indonesia Factories
In large-scale RMG (Ready Made Garment) centers like Bangladesh, the 'Shipment Release' procedure for partial shipments is very strict. Dispatch is only possible after the buyer's local QCO (Quality Control Office) issues an 'Inspection Certificate' for each shipment. In Indonesia, due to the nature of the island geography, inland transportation delays are frequent, making the management of 'Closing Time' at the port a critical variable that determines the speed of the production line during partial shipments.
¶ 10. Sewing Process Management Points for Partial Shipment (Technical Perspective)
Partial shipment is not just about dividing goods; it is a process of interrupting and resuming the production line flow. As a senior technical editor, the following points must be checked:
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Stitch Consistency (ISO 4915): - If machine settings change after the 1st batch or if different operators sew the 2nd batch, the stitch appearance may differ. - Settings: For lockstitch (Type 301), fix the needle thread tension at 1.0–1.5N and the bobbin tension at 0.2–0.3N based on a Towa gauge. Samples from each shipment should be kept for comparison. - Sewing Machine Models: Using digital sewing machines like the Juki DDL-9000C is advantageous for partial production as tension values can be digitized and stored.
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Needle Management: - Manage needle replacement cycles to reduce quality differences between partial shipment lots. - Usually, needles (Organ or Schmetz DPx5 #11–#14) are replaced after 8 hours of work or after completing the 1st shipment quantity to prevent fabric damage (puckering).
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Finishing: - For partial shipments, the 1st batch may have unstable pressing temperatures due to early factory operation, while the 2nd batch may be processed faster as proficiency increases. - Constantly monitor steam pressure at 0.4MPa and temperature at 150°C (based on Naomoto irons) to ensure the hand-feel of products remains consistent across shipments.
¶ 11. Digital Transformation (DX) and Partial Shipment
Modern smart factories utilize RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) to increase the accuracy of partial shipments. - Real-time Tracking: Movement paths from the production line to the shipping container are tracked in real-time via RFID tags attached to each product. - Auto Packing List: Quantities are automatically tallied as products pass through an RFID tunnel during carton packing, preventing quantity errors common in partial shipments with 99.9% accuracy. - Inventory Visibility: Buyers can use ERP systems to track the balance remaining at the factory and the location of already shipped goods in real-time to adjust marketing plans.
¶ 12. Related Items
- Shipping Documents: Essential documents for customs clearance such as Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Lading (B/L).
- AQL (Acceptable Quality Level): Statistical criteria for determining quality acceptance for each batch in partial shipments. Compliance with ISO 2859-1.
- Needle Detection: An essential safety process to check for metal foreign objects before shipping garments/bags. Uses Hashima or Nissin equipment.
- L/C Amendment: The banking procedure to modify a "Partial Shipment Prohibited" clause to "Allowed." UCP 600 regulations apply.
- CBM (Cubic Meter): A unit of cargo volume used as the basis for calculating logistics costs in partial shipments. 1 CBM = 1m x 1m x 1m.
- Finishing (시아게): A field term derived from the Japanese 'Shiage (仕上げ),' referring to the final ironing and inspection process.
- Dye Lot: A unit of fabric dyed under the same conditions. Preventing lot mixing is the biggest technical challenge in partial shipments.
- ISO 4915: Standard for stitch type classification. An indicator for maintaining consistency in sewing specifications between partial shipments.