Furniture Sourcing & QC Glossary
Key terms used in furniture sourcing, quality control, and compliance for imports from Vietnam. Updated as standards and regulations evolve.
AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit)
The maximum percentage of defective units considered acceptable in a sampled batch. AQL tables define how many units to inspect and how many defects trigger a rejection. AQL 2.5 is the standard for most furniture categories. A shipment that exceeds the AQL threshold fails inspection.
Bill of Lading (BL)
The shipping document issued by the freight carrier confirming receipt of goods for transport. The BL is required for customs clearance at the destination port. In Vietnam exports, LTV coordinates the BL as part of the shipment documentation package.
Cam Lock (Cam & Bolt)
A flat-pack fastening system using a cylindrical cam that rotates to tighten against a bolt. Standard in RTA (ready-to-assemble) furniture. Cam locks are designed for assembly by the end user and are not a substitute for glued structural joints in assembled furniture.
CE Marking
A mandatory conformity marking for products sold in the European Economic Area. For furniture and home goods, CE applies primarily to products with electrical components and certain safety-regulated categories. CE marking confirms the product meets EU safety, health, and environmental requirements. It is the manufacturer's declaration of conformity, not a third-party certification.
Commercial Invoice (CI)
The official billing document from supplier to buyer. The CI must match the Purchase Order exactly — quantities, unit prices, SKU references, and Incoterms. Discrepancies between CI and PO trigger customs holds.
CRD (Cargo Ready Date)
The date by which goods must be at the port or container yard, ready for loading. CRD is set by the buyer and drives the entire production and QC schedule. Missing CRD typically delays the vessel booking and pushes delivery by weeks.
Dowel Joint
A cylindrical wooden or metal pin used to align and connect two pieces of wood. Common in flat-pack and budget furniture. Acceptable for non-structural connections but not for primary frame joints under load. Specification should state whether dowel joints are permitted for each connection point.
EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation)
EU regulation requiring importers to prove that wood and wood-derived products sold in the EU were not sourced from deforested land. Effective for large operators in 2025. Furniture brands importing wood items from Vietnam must collect geolocation and supply chain data from their suppliers. Non-compliance blocks market access.
EUTR (EU Timber Regulation)
The predecessor to EUDR. Required EU operators to exercise due diligence on the legality of timber in their supply chain. Replaced and expanded by EUDR, but documentation collected under EUTR remains relevant for historical compliance records.
Ex-Factory Date
The date goods leave the factory. Ex-factory is the reference point for production scheduling, QC timing, and logistics booking. All QC must be completed before goods move.
Final Inspection
A quality control inspection carried out when production is complete and goods are packed or near-packed. The inspector samples finished units against the buyer's specifications and issues a pass or fail result. No shipment proceeds without a final inspection pass.
FOP (First Off Production)
The first unit produced in a mass production run, presented for approval before the full batch continues. FOP approval confirms that the factory is executing to the approved sample and specifications. No mass production proceeds without written FOP approval.
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
An international certification confirming that wood products come from responsibly managed forests. FSC chain of custody certification is required for some EU buyers and is increasingly standard for Vietnam wood furniture exporters.
GRC (Glass-Reinforced Concrete)
A composite material using cement matrix reinforced with alkali-resistant glass fibres. Used in outdoor furniture, planters, and decorative objects. Lighter than poured concrete. QC checks focus on surface finish consistency, crack detection, and colour matching between units.
Incoterms
A standardized set of international trade terms defining the responsibilities of buyer and seller for shipping, insurance, and customs. Common terms in Vietnam furniture exports: FOB (seller delivers to port, buyer arranges freight), CIF (seller covers cost, insurance, and freight to destination port), DAP (seller delivers to named place, buyer handles import).
Inline Inspection
A quality control inspection carried out during active production, typically when 20–40% of the order quantity is complete. Inline inspections catch construction, finish, and packaging deviations while correction is still possible. See also: Final Inspection.
Lacquer vs Paint
Two distinct finishing systems often confused. Lacquer (NC or PU) is a clear or pigmented coating that dries by solvent evaporation or chemical cure — it highlights wood grain. Paint is opaque, applied in multiple coats, and fully covers the substrate. Specification must state which system applies and the required sheen level.
MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard)
An engineered wood panel made from compressed wood fibres and resin. Widely used in furniture carcasses, drawer fronts, and painted components. MDF machines well and holds paint evenly, but is sensitive to moisture and heavier than solid wood. A standard substrate for lacquered and painted furniture in Vietnam production.
Moisture Content (MC)
The percentage of water relative to dry wood weight. Furniture destined for temperature-controlled EU or US interiors should be produced at 8–12% MC. Wood that is too wet will warp or crack after delivery. MC is measured with a moisture meter and is a standard inline and final inspection checkpoint.
NC Finish (Nitrocellulose Lacquer)
A solvent-based wood finish applied by spray. NC lacquers dry fast, are easy to repair, and produce a clear, hard surface. Standard in mid-range Vietnam furniture production. NC finishes have lower chemical resistance than PU and are not suitable for surfaces with heavy daily contact. Cost is lower than PU.
Packing List (PL)
A document listing the exact contents of each carton in a shipment — SKU, quantity, dimensions, gross and net weight. The PL is used for customs clearance and must match the Commercial Invoice exactly.
PI (Proforma Invoice)
A preliminary invoice issued by the supplier before production begins, used to confirm pricing, quantities, and payment terms. The PI is the basis for the buyer's Purchase Order. If PI and PO do not match, production does not start.
Plywood
An engineered panel made from cross-laminated wood veneers bonded under pressure. Stronger and more stable than MDF. Used in furniture frames, drawer boxes, and structural components. Grade and core species vary significantly between factories — specification must be explicit to avoid substitution.
PPM (Pre-Production Meeting)
A meeting held at the factory before production begins to align on specifications, materials, packaging, and schedule. PPM reduces the risk of deviations appearing only at final inspection.
PU Finish (Polyurethane Lacquer)
A two-component coating system that cures harder and more durably than NC lacquer. PU finishes offer higher resistance to water, chemicals, and abrasion, making them the standard for premium furniture and tabletops. Application is more complex and cost is higher than NC. Switching from NC to PU on an existing product affects both finishing time and unit cost.
Purchase Order (PO)
The buyer's formal commitment to purchase, specifying SKUs, quantities, prices, delivery terms, and compliance requirements. Production does not start without a confirmed deposit against the PO.
PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition)
A vacuum coating process that deposits a thin metallic film onto a substrate — typically stainless steel or brass — to achieve a decorative finish (gold, black, rose gold). Used in premium lighting and metal furniture. PVD finishes are durable but require controlled application. QC checks include colour consistency, adhesion, and surface defects.
QC-Only Service
An inspection service where LTV handles quality control exclusively — the buyer manages production and logistics directly. One inspection generates one structured report, shared the same day. LTV's QC-only service is independent of any sourcing involvement.
Rope Weaving
A hand-woven technique using synthetic or natural rope on outdoor furniture frames. QC focuses on weave pattern consistency, tension uniformity, and colour matching across units. Rope furniture has high labour content and is prone to variation between batches if production is not closely monitored.
Sample Inspection
An inspection carried out on a supplier-produced sample before the Purchase Order is confirmed. The sample is checked against approved specifications and drawings. Issues flagged at sample stage are resolved before production is authorized.
Sheen Level
The degree of light reflectance in a finished surface, typically measured in gloss units (GU). Standard categories: matte (10–20 GU), satin (30–50 GU), semi-gloss (55–70 GU), gloss (80+ GU). Sheen level must be specified and confirmed against a physical reference panel. Sheen variation across units in the same batch is a common final inspection failure point.
Shipment Booking
The process of reserving space on a vessel or in a container for a specific shipment. Booking must be confirmed at least one month before CRD.
Solid Wood
Lumber cut directly from a log, with no engineered core. Solid wood furniture carries higher material cost, greater weight, and natural variation in grain and colour between units. QC checks include moisture content, crack detection, and consistency of stain or finish across the batch.
Teak
A dense hardwood native to Southeast Asia. High natural oil content makes teak highly resistant to moisture, insects, and decay — the benchmark material for outdoor wood furniture. Vietnam-sourced teak must have documented legal origin. FSC certification is increasingly required by EU buyers.
Tenon & Mortise
A traditional wood joinery method where a projecting tenon fits into a corresponding mortise cavity. Stronger than dowel or cam-lock joints for load-bearing connections. Factories sometimes substitute cheaper joinery methods if construction drawings are not explicit.
UKFR (UK Furniture Fire Regulations)
UK regulations requiring upholstered furniture sold in the UK to meet specific fire resistance standards for filling materials and cover fabrics. Post-Brexit, UKFR applies independently of EU standards. Suppliers must provide test reports confirming compliance before shipment to UK buyers.
UL (Underwriters Laboratories)
A US-based safety certification body. UL certification is required for electrical products — including lighting — sold in the US market. Factories must test to UL standards through an accredited lab. The UL mark confirms a product has passed electrical safety testing for the North American market.
Veneer
A thin slice of real wood — typically 0.5–3mm — applied to a substrate such as MDF or plywood. Veneer gives the appearance of solid wood at lower cost and weight. QC checks on veneer furniture focus on grain matching, adhesion, edge banding, and finish consistency across units in the same batch.