In this product guide, we explain what you need to know before importing outdoor clothing from China. As with the other guides on clothing and textiles, this article will give you information on outdoor clothing production districts, product specifications and minimum quantities to order. We also explain what you need to know about the most important technical regulations, labeling requirements and much more.
Outdoor clothing production districts in China
In recent years, Chinese outdoor clothing manufacturers have faced increasingly fierce competition from manufacturers in other Asian countries, starting with Cambodia and Bangladesh. That said, since this sector is largely dependent on technical textiles, which are also produced in China, the latter maintains a strong competitive advantage.
Most export-oriented outdoor clothing manufacturers are located in the following cities and provinces:
- Quanzhou, located in Fujian Province
- Fuzhou, located in Fujian Province
- Xiamen, located in Fujian Province
- Jinjiang, located in Fujian Province
- Shenzhen, located in Guangdong Province
- Guangzhou, located in Guangdong Province
- Suzhou, located in Jiangsu Province
- Wuxi, located in Jiangsu Province
- Hangzhou, located in Zhejiang Province
- Ganzhou, located in Jiangxi Province
As you can see, outdoor clothing buyers have the shrewdness to visit the southern and coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong, since this is where the most important manufacturers are based.
Outdoor technical clothing packaging and material specifications
Chinese outdoor clothing manufacturers are OEM suppliers. Therefore, you can’t expect a catalog with beautiful, ready-made templates to choose from. Although most Chinese suppliers have such catalogs, they should only be considered as a reference. Most of the so-called ODM (Original Design Production) products are projects ordered by previous customers. Therefore, it is rare for suppliers to have a complete technical package.
Now that you know that you can’t rely on the manufacturer to provide you with a technical package, when importing outdoor clothing from China, you need to know what to put in these packages:
- Design drawings
- Size chart
- Bill of materials (list of components)
- Material/Fiber composition (e.g., 98% cotton, 2% spandex)
- Weight (e.g. 240 gr)
- Number of yarns (e.g. 40 x 40)
- Yarn type (e.g., worsted)
- Colors (Pantone or RAL)
- Treatment (e.g., flame retardant)
- Coating (e.g., polyurethane coating)
- Applicable Regulations and Directives
- Label files
Minimum order quantity
Sometimes the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) in the clothing industry is quite complex. What many foreign importers don’t realize is that, in reality, there is more than one Minimum Order Quantity to keep an eye on. So, to get to the point, I clarify below these Minimum Quantities to Order:
- Minimum Order Quantity per product: This is the minimum number of units that the supplier must produce to make a reasonable (albeit very low) profit. As mentioned above, this Minimum Order Quantity is set by the manufacturer.
- Minimum Order Quantity by Size: In addition to the Minimum Order Quantity by product (or design), all manufacturers must comply with some sort of minimum quantity requirement per size. Although lower than the Minimum Order Quantity per product, the “Minimum Order Quantity per size” can be at least half the size. As a result, a minimum order quantity of, say, 500 pieces, can only leave room for two sizes.
- Minimum Order Quantity per Fabric: This is determined by the material subcontractor. This quantity often varies between different materials and even between subcontractors. Sometimes the Minimum Order Quantity per product is a reflection of the Minimum Order Order Quantity per fabric.
- Minimum Quantity to Order by Color: The same applies as for the Minimum Quantity to Order by fabric, but here we are talking about color, rather than fabric.
To get further clarification on how a Minimum Order Quantity is structured, here is an example:
- Minimum Order Quantity per fabric: 500 – 1000 pieces
- Minimum Order Quantity per product: 500 – 1000 pieces
- Minimum Order Quantity per color: 300 – 500 pieces
- Minimum Order Quantity per size: 150 – 300 pieces
Directives, safety regulations and labelling requirements
Outdoor clothing is not regulated as a product group. The same directives and regulations that apply to all types of clothing are also applicable to outdoor clothing. As such, buyers in the European Union and the United States should keep an eye on the following regulations and directives:
- California Proposition 65
- REACH
- Labelling for washing instructions
- Labelling for fibre composition
- Country of origin labelling
Keep in mind that I am making a distinction between mandatory substance regulations and “voluntary” technical directives. For the latter, in reality, there are several regulations that apply, more or less specifically, to outdoor clothing. Here are some examples from the list of ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) guidelines:
a. ASTM D1047 – 11 : Specific Directives for Polyvinyl Chloride Coating of Wires and Cables
b. ASTM F2732 – 11 : Common standard for determining the temperature value of protective clothing intended for low temperatures
c. STP900 : Performance of protective clothing
As mentioned above, ASTM directives are usually (but with exceptions) not mandatory safety regulations. Yet they define performance and product quality. As such, you should identify which ASTM product directives, if any, or other regulations apply to your product and, accordingly, communicate them to your supplier as specific requirements. Although some manufacturers might enforce some product regulations as part of their company policy, most of them will not do this, unless they are explicitly instructed to do so by their customers.
Outdoor clothing buyers based in the European Union, looking to identify current regulations and directives, can purchase ready-made listings on ProductIP.com. However, as far as we know, there are no equivalents for American regulations.
Outdoor clothing fairs in Mainland China and Hong Kong
Asia Outdoor Trade Show
- Location: Nanjing, Jiangsu Province
- When: June/July
- Website: Click Here
Product List
- Outdoor clothing
- Outdoor shoes
- Mountaineering & Climbing Supplies
- Products and services, accessories, equipment and materials, etc. related to the travel and tourism industry
Global Sources Fashion Trade Show
- Location: Hong Kong S.A.R
- When: January (Autumn/Winter) and July (Spring/Summer)
- Website: Click Here
Product List
- Bags and suitcases
- Jewelry shop
- Scarves and gloves
- Belts and footwear
- Fixings
- Hoses
- Spectacles
- Fabrics, lace and trimmings
- sweaters and knitwear
- Sportswear
- Casual wear
- Down jackets and outerwear
- Underwear and nightwear
- Swimwear and beachwear
Canton Fair Phase 3 (Guangzhou)
- Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
- When: April/May and October/November
- Website: Click Here
Product List
- Men’s and women’s clothing
- Children’s clothing
- Underwear
- Sportswear and casual wear
- Furs, leathers and related products
- Fashion accessories
- Home textiles
- Textile raw materials and textiles
- Carpets and upholstery
- Shoes
- Office supplies
- Bags and suitcases
- Sports, travel and leisure products
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