Define the banana lot and inspection scope
Confirm the product, variety or format, lot code, quantity, packing location, destination and buyer specification. This guide supports commercial inspection before dispatch, shipment release or buyer acceptance; it does not replace official plant-health certification.
Choose endpoint or in-line inspection
Endpoint inspection covers a finished consignment before dispatch or release. In-line inspection takes representative samples during packing and across the packing period. Confirm the inspection type, lot definition, sample basis and acceptance criteria before starting.
Plan a representative sample
For mixed consignments, consider grower, packer, product format, treatment history and previous findings. Record lot, source, carton identifiers, sample timing, quantity examined and access limits. Sampling size is confirmed per project, buyer specification and applicable destination-market requirement.
Check banana maturity and physical condition
Record colour or maturity stage, size and count, firmness, crown and stem condition, bruising, cuts, scars, pressure marks, crown rot, decay, peel defects and signs of chilling or heat injury. Rotate sampled hands or units to review the accessible surface and photograph material findings.
Check temperature, packing and loading
Record product or storage temperature where required. Check carton strength, ventilation, liner or protection, arrangement, labels, traceability, carton count, net quantity, loading sequence, airflow considerations and seal details against the agreed scope.
Handle pest or unusual findings carefully
Record and preserve any suspected regulated pest or unusual finding, and hold or segregate the affected lot only when required by the agreed protocol or responsible authority. Identification and official release decisions may require an authorised inspector, laboratory or entomologist.
Build auditable evidence
Keep product and lot identity, grower or packer, inspection type, sample basis, carton numbers, sampling time, observations, measurements, photographs and limitations. Use CONFORM, NOT CONFORM or PENDING, and separate visual inspection from laboratory testing and official biosecurity decisions.