Swimwear Manufacturing Companies in China
There are hundreds of swimwear suppliers in mainland China, but how do you know which one is right for your products?
In this article, you can find out what e-commerce businesses need to know about importing swimwear and beachwear from China, including the following:
- How to find the right manufacturer
- Why You Should NOT Buy Swimwear Wholesale
- How to customize the design
- How to choose the right material
- Buy private label swimwear
- Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) Requirements
Manufacturers and wholesalers
In this section, I will cover the different types of products found in China and what you should look for when recruiting suppliers on Alibaba.com and Globalsources.com.
What kind of swimwear can I find in China?
In China, most swimwear manufacturers specialize in a certain type or material of such products. Some suppliers may focus on making swim shorts, while others primarily produce bikinis or wetsuits.
Although there are no distinct categories of suppliers in this industry, there are certain classes of products such as the following:
- Bikini
- Mute
- Rash Guards
- Swim shorts
- Compression wear
- Swimwear
Some swimwear suppliers make related products, which are present in the broader sportswear category. Many yoga clothing suppliers, for example, also produce compression wear.
Keep in mind that you should look for a supplier that specializes in your specific type of fabric, rather than looking for one that offers a large selection.
Should I work with a factory or swimwear wholesaler?
Most swimwear wholesalers, present on Aliexpress, DHgate, and other wholesale websites, tend to sell products made for the Chinese domestic market.
This isn’t necessarily a problem, unless you’re based in Europe, the US, or Australia.
Because?
Because most developed markets are regulated by strict regulations, which apply to swimwear, such as the following:
- Restrictions on the presence of chemicals and heavy metals in textiles
- Labelling requirements for textiles
First of all, swimsuits made for the Chinese market do not have English-language labels. Second, they are not manufactured in accordance with EU or US regulations on substances, such as REACH or California Proposition 65.
Since customs authorities may refuse entry of your goods into their country, if the products are not compliant, (for example, they do not have the right labels), it is crucial that you, as the importer, do the right thing.
As a result, buying from a wholesaler is often a dead-end situation. This also applies to other textile products.
Yet China has many qualified swimwear manufacturers, who can make items that comply with foreign chemical and labeling requirements.
Buying from a factory also allows you to have the product made according to your custom models. This is not possible when you buy the “nice and ready” wholesale products
Where can I find qualified suppliers?
Most swimwear manufacturers are listed on Alibaba.com or Globalsources.com, so that’s where I suggest you start your search.
When selecting a supplier in this industry, look for the following:
- Do they specialize in your type of swimsuit? (e.g. swim shorts)
- Do they have test reports available? (e.g. REACH)
- Do they have a quality management system? (e.g., ISO 9001)
- Do they have a social compliance certification? (e.g., BSCI)
- Do they have references issued by their client brands? (e.g., Billabong)
There are also swimwear and beachwear manufacturers in Vietnam, India and other Asian countries. However, most factories that are not based in China continue to use Alibaba.com and Globalsources.com.
Product Conception
In this section, I will cover the various product design alternatives available when importing swimwear and beachwear from Chinese suppliers.
Can I buy private label swimwear (ODM)?
Yes, most suppliers can offer private label products. However, keep in mind that you must request the following from the provider:
- The specification of the material
- Design designs
- The size chart
- The bill of materials
Also consider that the same product can be made with different qualities of material. Therefore, before placing your order, you must ask for confirmation which alternatives of a certain material a supplier offers you for a particular SKU.
Can I customize the design?
Yes, as long as you provide the design design, size chart, material specifications, and bill of materials (parts list), the supplier can make any swimwear design based on your specifications.
As mentioned above, you should only work with swimwear suppliers who specialize in your product.
In other words, don’t try to ask a wetsuit manufacturer to make you a few pairs of swim shorts.
How do I select the right material?
Most suppliers have a number of standard materials for their various products. As such, you can ask them to airmail you some samples of material.
If you don’t find any suitable materials in their catalog, you can personally recruit a supplier who will then ship the fabrics to the swimwear manufacturer.
The supplier of materials does not necessarily have to be located in China or even in Asia.
Many technical fabrics used in the production of swimwear are developed and manufactured in Europe, while Chinese suppliers only take care of the final production.
Can I receive product samples?
Yes, you can always receive product samples from your supplier. If he doesn’t want to, he definitely has something to hide.
In fact, purchasing product samples is a mandatory part of the process.
That said, you need to prepare the technical package, before ordering a product sample, regardless of whether or not you buy a custom or private label product.
What is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) per product?
When importing swimwear and beachwear from China, the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) requirement is usually around 500 pieces per product.
For most textiles, however, there is more than one Minimum Order Quantity requirement to be taken into account:
- Minimum Order Quantity per order: 500 pieces
- Minimum Order Quantity per material: 500 pieces
- Minimum Order Quantity per color: 250 pieces
- Minimum Order Quantity per design: 250 pieces
- Minimum Order Quantity per size: 50 pieces
Therefore, you can change the order slightly so that it “fits” more than one color or design “for each order with Minimum Order Quantity”.
Trade fairs in mainland China and Hong Kong
Not interested in recruiting swimwear factories on Alibaba.com or from the other B2B listings? Take a look at some of these great trade shows held in China and Hong Kong:
Global Sources Fashion Fair
This fair, held in Hong Kong twice a year at the Asia World Expo, located just minutes from the airport, hosts some of the best swimwear and beachwear manufacturers from mainland China and other Asian countries.
Hong Kong Fashion Week
Hong Kong Fashion Week is held in Wanchai, Hong Kong Island. It is one of the largest trade fairs in the clothing and textile industry, where you will find a large number of swimwear suppliers, ranging from small trading companies to some of the largest factories in the industry.
Hong Kong Fashion Week is also a place for international brands to showcase their latest products.
Canton Fair
This is the largest and, perhaps, the most well-known of all the trade shows in China. The Canton Fair is held every spring and autumn in Guangzhou. Here you will find hundreds of clothing and textile suppliers, including many swimwear suppliers.
Interfiliere Shanghai
Unlike the other fairs in Hong Kong and mainland China, this one does not focus exclusively on swimwear. Interfiliere Shanghai is, perhaps, the largest trade fair in this specific sector.
Here you will find manufacturers and suppliers of materials for swimwear, beachwear, underwear and more.
Need help importing products from China?
Our agency can offer you professional 360° import advice and can assist you at every stage of your project!
Rely on the experts at ImportazioneFacile.it, they will support you step by step by putting their many years of experience at your service, to face all the possible pitfalls that lie behind an import.
Fill out the form to get a free consultation now, describe your project and they will contact you to evaluate the best way to make it happen!
