Summary of this article： China is considered the world's largest producer and its most widely connected supply chain. It is, however, also the biggest loser market, mostly due to size difference and inconsistency of fabric, misleading photos and dishonest suppliers. Take the following measures for smart buying:
What 'cheap Chinese clothes' really mean (Price differences)
There are 3 definitions of cheap - low price quoted (not including essential factors such as packaging and logistics), low MOQ, or low unit cost when ordered in bulk. Factors like fabric, design, finishing and brand positioning all play a role in pricing standards, so it's the most affordable cost for reasonable quality, not the absolute lowest price.
Best Chinese clothing suppliers to purchase low-cost clothes in China online
The primary purchasing sources of your clothing can be a wholesale market (quick purchases and checks possible on the spot), a direct factory (best for regular large quantity orders), Taobao and Tmall (good to know what's new in fashion trends and for sample orders), 1688 (lowest in price in China, ideal for wholesalers and retailers in China), and Alibaba (for Exports, good for OEM/ODM orders).
Key risks to keep in mind for low-cost clothing purchase in China
Wrong pictures, poor quality products (materials get damaged and deteriorated easily), inconsistent sizes, shoddy workmanship, hidden costs, late deliveries and poor follow-up service are common pitfalls. Most of these risks can be prevented with correct selection of suppliers, samples and testing. About 80% risks are avoidable through selection of suppliers, sampling, and QC process.
How to select the right clothing sellers in China (efficiently and effectively)
Consider business nature, industry experience, production capacity, communication skills and understanding of quality of potential partners. Be sure to discuss lead times, defects handling policy, sizing chart and allowed variations, tagging service, fabrics used, MOQs, export documents needed, etc. If they cannot provide real photos or information or immediately request payment, be alert.
Sampling: The cheapest "insurance"
Don't make any large purchase without checking it first. Ordering 2 samples (one as it would be manufactured, one an improved one) from any potential vendor to assess fabric weight, stitch strength, washing result, color fastness and size accuracy is vital. Sample is a much cheaper way of preventing adverse comments and returned goods.
Quality Control System for clothes (basic system that works)
There are three major steps to ensure quality: check all specifications before placing the order; inspect stitch and labeling quality during production randomly (optional); and fully inspect before shipment (most crucial step that ensures you make money for low-cost clothing orders).
Real cost accounting: beware of "low unit price" fraud
Landed costs are the sum of all cost components of the product: unit price + unit packaging cost + shipping fees from factory to your destination (including domestic shipping in China and international freight, customs, tariffs, insurance etc.) + QC cost or agent fee and calculated as landed cost of one unit from the total landed cost. For clothes, freight can take up a large chunk of the costs. Be sure to ask your suppliers for approximate carton weight and dimensions, too.
Shipping methods for clothes
Shipping from China is generally classified into 3 categories: sea freight (most suitable for large quantity orders and it's most cost-effective), air freight (for medium volume orders) and air express (for urgent deliveries, sample shipments). Consolidating goods from multiple suppliers minimizes complexity of delivery and makes shipment costs lower, reducing the hassle of customs clearance.
Step-by-step process for novice buyers to purchase cheap clothing from China
Identify your item, decide on the required quality, select a minimum of 10 suppliers for inspection, verify them and choose at least 2-3 vendors, order and review samples, negotiate MOQ and defect tolerance rate, place a test order, perform pre-shipment QC, consolidate goods, ship, track your shipment and make note of defects upon delivery, and establish an SOP for future orders.
When to use China sourcing agent
If you are trading with multiple suppliers or SKUs, placing frequent orders, requiring professional QC or need to meet requirements of certain regulated markets, use a China sourcing agent. A sourcing agent will help you to: perform supplier verification, facilitate sample procurement and testing, carry out inspections, consolidate shipments, manage shipping process and paperwork; all this to help avoid costly mistakes and usually to save your money.
FAQ: Low-cost China clothing
Q1. Is it fine to purchase low-cost Chinese clothes? Yes, only if you ensure QC before shipment and do your supplier verification. Without these you're most likely to encounter most common issues reported by customers.
Q2. Is Alibaba or 1688 more suitable for purchasing low-cost China clothes? Alibaba is more focused on international trade and hence prices will be higher while 1688 is more suitable for domestic sellers, with significantly lower prices.
Q3. How do I avoid wrong clothing sizes? Verify and confirm the size chart and permit tolerance, then check sizes randomly.
Q4. How much should I spend as a minimum order quantity for low-cost clothes? This is dependent on product types. For basic products like T-shirts, you will need a larger MOQ whereas fashion wholesalers have a lower MOQ for clothing orders. It's best to compare prices with different suppliers.
Q5. How can I get started if I'm new to buying low-cost clothes? Start with 2-3 suppliers to see if they're suitable for you and if their products fit your needs. After samples have been assessed and QC is confirmed, place an order of a small quantity and then gradually increase your orders as you gain confidence.
