How to Get Clothing Manufactured Overseas
How to get clothing manufactured overseas — sourcing factories, managing communication, quality control, shipping, and customs for international garment production.
Choosing a manufacturing country
Different countries specialize in different garment types and price points:
Manufacturing regions by specialty
| Region | Strengths | Typical MOQ |
|---|---|---|
| China | Full range, fast production, competitive pricing | 300-1000+ |
| Bangladesh | Basics, knitwear, large volumes, lowest cost | 1000-3000+ |
| Vietnam | Technical garments, outerwear, moderate pricing | 500-1000+ |
| Portugal | Premium quality, small batch, quick turnaround | 100-500 |
| Turkey | Denim, knitwear, leather goods, moderate pricing | 200-500 |
| India | Embellished garments, woven fabrics, embroidery | 200-500 |
Finding and vetting overseas factories
Use platforms like Alibaba, Global Sources, Sqetch, and Kompass to find manufacturers. Request company profiles, certifications, and client references. Always order samples before committing to production.
Consider working with a sourcing agent for your first overseas production run. A good agent knows the factories, speaks the language, and can manage quality control on your behalf. Expect to pay 5-10% of order value for agency services.
Managing communication across time zones
Clear documentation is even more critical when working across languages and time zones. Your tech pack must be comprehensive and visually clear — minimize reliance on written descriptions that could be mistranslated.
Use visual communication wherever possible: annotated photos, comparison images, and measurement diagrams. Establish a single point of contact at the factory and agree on communication channels and response time expectations.
Quality control and inspection
Never skip quality inspection for overseas production. Options include:
- Pre-production inspection: Verify materials before cutting begins
- In-line inspection: Check quality during production (at 20-30% completion)
- Final inspection: Inspect finished goods before shipping (AQL sampling)
- Third-party inspection services: Companies like SGS, Bureau Veritas, or QIMA
- DIY inspection: Specify detailed QC criteria in your tech pack
Shipping and customs
Understand incoterms (FOB, CIF, DDP), shipping methods (sea freight vs air freight), and customs duties for your product category. Budget 5-15% of product cost for shipping and 0-25% for duties depending on your country and the product's HS code.
Sea freight takes 3-6 weeks but costs significantly less than air freight. Plan your production timeline to allow for ocean shipping whenever possible.