"as short a period as is practicable" (Art. 38(1))
Courts had the chance to specify how they interpret the period in which the goods have to be examined ("as short a period as is practicable", Art. 38(1) CISG). This period should be distinguished from the period in which the buyer has to notify the seller of the non-conformity under Art. 39(1) CISG, see here.
PVC foil case
Oberlandesgericht Naumburg (Oberlandesgericht des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt) (Court of Appeal Naumburg)
Germany, 24 April 2019 – 12 U 152/18, CISG-online 4506
Oberlandesgericht Naumburg (Oberlandesgericht des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt) (Court of Appeal Naumburg)
Germany, 24 April 2019 – 12 U 152/18, CISG-online 4506
Generally, a period of roughly 1-2 weeks will qualify as a "short" period under Art. 38(1) CISG in cases where the goods' non-conformity can be detected through a simple examination and where no special circumstances are present
Glass fibre case I
Oberlandesgericht Koblenz (Court of Appeal Koblenz)
Germany, 18 November 1999 – 2 U 1556/98, CISG-online 570
Oberlandesgericht Koblenz (Court of Appeal Koblenz)
Germany, 18 November 1999 – 2 U 1556/98, CISG-online 570
Inspection must take place within a week after delivery if the inspection is aiming at visually detectable defects