Lingerie can be an unruly industry, so your procurement strategy is critical if you want to succeed in this sector. According to Statista statistics, China has long been considered the world’s top garment producer and exporter, accounting for over 50% of total textile and garment production worldwide and more than 30% of worldwide garment exports. Enterprises of all shapes and sizes find Chinese lingerie suppliers‘ high-quality, affordable products and professional services appealing.
Importing Lingerie From China And Learn How To Succeed Today Let’s make today an adventure: Let this guide serve as your introduction to importing lingerie from China with cost-cutting strategies in mind. Let’s begin our journey today:
Table of Contents
Finding Chinese Lingerie Suppliers
Once you decide to import lingerie from China for your lingerie business, the first step should be identifying suppliers in China. While visiting this vast nation may seem intimidating, knowing where we should see will make the search much more straightforward.
Eight main production bases of lingerie in China
Shantou, Guangdong
Shantou is located in the southern coastal region of China, in the eastern part of Guangdong Province. Shantou has the most oversized lingerie homeware industry belt in China. According to the data from the Bureau of Industry and Information Technology of Chaonan District, in Cheonan District alone, the output of female lingerie accounts for about 40% of China’s output, the output of home wear accounts for about 80% of China’s production, and the work of clothing accessories accounts for about 35% of China’s output. Shantou has over 7,000 textile and garment enterprises, forming China’s most complete textile and garment industry chain. After years of development, Shantou has developed into an area with China’s most complete lingerie industry chain.
Chaoyang and Cheonan in Shantou are the capital of lingerie in China and are the areas with the most extensive garment output. They are home to Gurao, a famous town of lingerie in China; Chendian, a renowned city of knitting lingerie in China; Xiashan, a famous village of home clothing in China; and two well-known knitting towns in China. The advantages of Shantou lingerie are low prices, flexible marketing, and a complete industrial chain. Its products are exported to North America, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other international markets.
Yanbu, Foshan, Guangdong
Yanbu is a town in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, in China. At the end of 2002, it was honored with being designated “China Lingerie Famous Town” by China Fashion Industry Association. Since 1979, its lingerie production and related enterprises have seen considerable development, with over 800 lingerie production enterprises operating alongside 300 brands – capable of producing over 100 Million pieces each year! Yanbu products such as functional bras, panties, and shapewear sell well throughout over 30 countries and regions, including the United States, European Union countries, South Korea, Japan South American countries, among many more!
Gongming, Shenzhen, Guangdong
Shenzhen, situated near Hong Kong and at the forefront of China’s reform and opening up process, has long been considered the premier location for lingerie processing and OEM. Thanks to its location and government policy support, Shenzhen is a hub of lingerie processing and OEM activity. Output value currently exceeds 60 billion yuan, with four listed lingerie companies accounting for 70% of the high-end output value of China. At present, there are nearly 300 enterprises processing and OEMing products; in light of fiercer competition, Shenzhen government initiatives promote industrial upgrading and digital reform while offering higher-end products globally to global customers worldwide customers.
Xiaolan, Zhongshan, Guangdong
Xiaolan is situated in Zhongshan City near the Pearl River Delta in China. There are multiple major cities within 150 kilometers, such as Zhongshan, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Shenzhen – along with four large airports that make its transportation location highly advantageous. After 30 years of expansion in the lingerie industry, Xiaolan now boasts over 400 enterprises with annual output values exceeding 6 billion yuan, earning it recognition as “China’s Famous Lingerie Town.” Xiaolan underwear products rank first globally, accounting for 75% of China’s underwear consumer products. In 2012, their lingerie industry received government backing, with discussions being held regarding creating China’s (Xiaolan) Lingerie Industry City to form an even stronger industrial chain.
Shenhu, Jinjiang, Fujian
Shenzhen-Shanghai is a famous industrial and trade port town in Fujian Province. Relying on the advantages of Shenzhen-Shanghai Port, a national first-class port, Shenhu Town has gradually developed the lingerie industry into a pillar industry, accounting for 60% of the town’s GDP. So far, lingerie production The number of manufacturers has grown to more than 200, with a total investment of more than 2.5 billion yuan, an annual output value of more than 3 billion yuan, and an export value of more than 2.8 billion yuan. Shenhu Town was awarded the honorary “China Lingerie Famous Town” title by the National Textile Industry Development Association, China Enterprise Confederation, and China Textile Industry Association in 2004.
Yiwu, Zhejiang
Yiwu has emerged as a rising star in China’s lingerie industry thanks to strong support from its government and persistent innovation from its people, earning the distinction of “China’s Famous City of Seamless Knitting Lingerie” within a short span. Today, Yiwu boasts over 600 seamless lingerie manufacturers, with 120 large enterprises and 22 annual sales surpassing 10 million yuan. More than 150 seamless lingerie manufacturers operate in Shanghai with over 25,000 production equipment, producing over 80 million sets annually and an output value exceeding 3 billion yuan – representing 80% of China’s total output and 15% of global work.
Yiwu has also witnessed rapid development in its sexy lingerie industry, particularly Dongyang City’s silk stocking industry and Buddhist temple lingerie sales, which have established themselves domestically and internationally.
Wenzhou, Zhejiang
Wenzhou has long been one of China’s traditional textile industry bases. Recently, however, it has also actively developed in other lingerie-related fields. Yishan Town serves as its main production base with more than 1,000 knitting enterprises and self-employed individuals employing over 20,000 staff; sales value in 2019 was approximately 5 billion yuan; on December 31st, 2020, an e-commerce Internet celebrity live broadcast base was put into trial operation in Yishan Town Cangnan Wenzhou for trial operations.
guanyun, Lianyungang,Jiangsu
Jiangsu Province in China is known for its textile production and sales volume of lingerie. Guanyun County stands out as being an emerging center for this industry with sales exceeding 3 billion Yuan annually; more than 35 companies boast annual sales between 50-100 Million yuan; however, due to limited development time, they face issues such as incomplete supply chain connections, industrial upgrading of de-low end and inadequate style design capabilities.
The following is a summary of the status of each region in the lingerie industry：
| Featured Products | Status | Product Grade | Additional District Resources | |
| Shantou | Bras, Loungewear | The Lingerie Capital of China | middle and high end | The most complete lingerie industry chain in China |
| Yanbu | Performance Bras, Panties & Shapewear | The capital of Chinese fashion brand lingerie | middle and high end | Foshan City has the largest furniture industry cluster in China. |
| Shenzhen | high-end lingerie | World-famous brand processing place | middle and high end | China’s most complete high-end product industry belt. |
| Xiaolan | Panties | the famous town of lingerie in China | low, medium, and high end | Zhongshan City is the world’s most extensive lighting production base. |
| Shenhu | Underpants, swimsuits, shorts | the famous town of lingerie in China | low, medium, high end | Jinjiang has the most complete sports shoes and apparel industry belt in China |
| Yiwu | Seamless lingerie, knitted lingerie, sexy lingerie | Famous Cities of seamless knitting lingerie in China | low, medium, and high end | The world capital of small commodities, you can find any products you need in Yiwu International Trade City. |
| Wenzhou | warm lingerieknitted lingerie | China’s traditional textile province | middle and high end | Wenzhou has a complete system of handmade shoes and leather. |
| Guanyun | sexy lingerie | Hometown of erotic lingerie | low, middle | Jiangsu is a traditional textile province in China |
Four ways to find Chinese lingerie suppliers online
In the digital age, finding Chinese lingerie suppliers is more convenient than ever. With the right strategies, you can locate potential partners without leaving your desk. Here’s how to go about it:
Finding suppliers for your business has always been challenging in our connected world.
With the development of the global Internet, finding suppliers from China for your lingerie business is now straightforward. When sourcing lingerie from China, several online platforms can help simplify the search process and connect you directly with suppliers. Let’s delve a little deeper into these digital pathways.
Online B2B Marketplace
Online business-to-business marketplaces (B2Bs) have revolutionized international trade. B2B marketplaces provide businesses with an easy and safe platform to meet, engage, and conduct transactions without geographic barriers; additionally, they can be a fundamental guarantee for both parties involved. When looking for Chinese lingerie suppliers, there are a few major B2B marketplaces that might prove particularly helpful:
1. Alibaba: One of the world’s most prominent global trading platforms, where you can locate thousands of Chinese lingerie manufacturers. You can use its advanced search functionality to narrow your selections according to product type, price range, or minimum order quantity requirements. As an extra safety feature, Alibaba uses trust seals such as “Gold Supplier” and “Trade Assurance” badges as trust indicators – always check these flags as part of a safer trading experience! Additionally, they will provide credit protection services but may charge a 2% handling fee – check them often!
2. Made in China: As its name implies, Made in China provides a comprehensive resource for finding Chinese suppliers – making it another great way to discover lingerie manufacturers. Made in China features an audit system to ensure all suppliers listed on its platform are legal; use their search filters for a more effortless supplier search experience.
3. Global Sources: Global Sources is an online trading platform designed to facilitate trade between Greater China and other parts of the world and is known for listing more established, high-quality manufacturers than other platforms. Suppliers listed here tend to be more giant factories than trading companies, so if you need mass production assistance, this might be your go-to platform.
4. DHgate: This platform caters to wholesale and small order buyers, making it a versatile option when purchasing lingerie from China. With direct small purchases possible and access to a vast array of suppliers – especially useful if testing the market or running smaller businesses – and buyer protection measures designed to protect transactions – DHgate can be trusted as an efficient platform.
5. AliExpress: AliExpress, which typically serves B2C transactions, can also be an invaluable platform for finding Chinese lingerie manufacturers. Most products sold here originate in China at affordable prices; as AliExpress caters to consumers rather than businesses, its characteristics of complete products without minimum quantities are beneficial when just beginning business ventures such as drop shipping lingerie . Many drop shippers rely directly on AliExpress when searching for supplies to support their operations.
When using these platforms, you always conduct thorough due diligence on suppliers. Verify their business license, production capacity, product certificates, and reviews from previous customers and request samples to evaluate product quality.
Social Media Tools as Business Assets
Social media platforms have become an invaluable business asset in today’s digital era. Many Chinese suppliers keep active profiles on platforms such as LinkedIn or Facebook, regularly providing up-to-date information on their products and services. Following their profiles lets you learn about new offerings or initiate discussions directly through these channels.
Virtual Trade Shows and Fairs
With an increased emphasis on virtual engagement, traditional trade shows and expos have turned towards virtual events, like Canton Fair Online Edition and Alibaba Online Trade Show, to allow consumers to explore suppliers from the comfort of their homes. These virtual platforms provide comprehensive platforms to explore suppliers from multiple sectors – perfect for building networks!
Work with purchasing agents.
If searching online suppliers seems too much of an undertaking, consider hiring a sourcing agent. These professionals possess extensive knowledge about Chinese markets and have strong industry connections, allowing them to help find suppliers suitable for your business needs more quickly, saving time and reducing risks.
While the Internet makes finding potential suppliers more accessible, its prevalence also increases fraud risk. Always conduct thorough due diligence when dealing with online suppliers before entering into any transactions with them – including verifying the legitimacy of the supplier(s), certification statuses, product samples to test quality, etc. Remember: Trust is at the core of successful business relationships – earn it over time to build them successfully!
How to Select Lingerie Suppliers
Selecting the ideal lingerie supplier can profoundly impact your lingerie business. A good supplier will save time and avoid losses, but choosing an unsuitable supplier could prevent it from failing altogether. Below are more specific factors you should keep in mind when making such a crucial choice:
Assess Product Quality
Quality is of utmost importance in the lingerie industry, so when interviewing potential suppliers, it’s essential to get an initial impression of their products by asking for samples to evaluate them firsthand. Focus on something other than visual appeal when making this evaluation; also assess comfort, durability, and finish as part of the evaluation. Also, inquire into their quality control procedures, such as steps to maintain consistency within their products or if an internal quality control team is available.
Learn about production capacity and lead times here.
Supplier production capacity and lead times are integral to business operations, especially if your orders involve bulk purchases or your business operates seasonally. You should inquire into their maximum production capacity to see if they can meet your demands in peak season; additionally, make sure they provide minimum quantities, customizable options, or any additional support services you require, such as minimum quantities.
Gain experience and build up a good name.
Look for suppliers with established track records in the lingerie industry. Experienced providers tend to have more robust quality control measures, reliable delivery schedules, and more efficient problem-resolution processes than less experienced ones. Check customer reviews or testimonials posted online platforms where you found these suppliers; speak directly with some past or current customers to gain an unbiased viewpoint of their performance.
Assess communication effectiveness (Examine communication effectiveness).
Communication is vital to any successful business relationship. Assess potential suppliers’ communication abilities early when engaging them: are their responses timely and thorough in answering your inquiries? Regular updates on production plans, shipping schedules, process changes, or potential issues should also be provided as a standard part of their engagement with you.
Review Pricing Structure
Finding cost-effective suppliers is essential, but your decision should not solely depend on price. Meager prices could indicate poor quality or unreliable delivery services; aim for a balance between cost-effectiveness and quality delivery services when choosing. Also, investigate each vendor’s pricing structure: do they offer volume discounts or hidden costs associated with packaging fees or additional charges for small orders that could arise?
Check for certification and compliance to maintain certification status and meet requirements.
Please ensure the vendors you consider comply with the standards and regulations of your target market, especially when purchasing lingerie, as it comes in direct contact with skin. Please request a copy of their certificate to ensure its validity.
Review Payment Terms
Different suppliers have different payment terms. Some may require an advance deposit payment with the balance due on shipping day; others require full payment upfront. When selecting suppliers, always negotiate payment terms to meet your financial capability.
Analysis of After-sale Service.
Good after-sales service shows a supplier’s dedication to customers and trust in its products. Check for returns, refunds, and defective merchandise handling policies; after-sales service can act as a safety net should anything go wrong in your plans.
Assume no rush when selecting suppliers. Carefully research each prospect and conduct your due diligence if needed; consider consulting with a sourcing agent or legal expert if importing from China is new for you.
What information do you need to prepare
1. Relevant licenses: When importing goods, especially in large quantities, you generally need your company to have the authority to import goods. You must consult your country’s customs and determine the license you are dealing with. The supplier can ship the goods directly to your warehouse if your order is small.
2. Order details document: It is best to have a paper describing the details of your order in detail, including size, color, material, quantity, design drawing, packaging requirements, delivery date, and certificates you require, etc. A detailed document can save you time in communicating with suppliers, and it can also avoid subsequent disputes.
3. Intellectual property certificate: If you have your brand, you must provide a production authorization document to the supplier to avoid problems during customs clearance.
Steps for Importing Lingerie from China
Once we have identified some suppliers with whom we believe we can work effectively, the next step should be taking formal cooperation steps with them:
1. Discuss Order Details with Supplier: Once your documents are in hand and requirements clear, discuss order details with them; their suggestions could be welcomed or disregarded at your discretion. Finally, they’ll give a quotation plan.
2. Check Their Quotation Plans: Communicating with multiple suppliers simultaneously allows you to gather various quotation plans. Compare each supplier’s proposals before making a final decision, or combine all quotations received into one requirements document and continue communicating with them directly.
3. Request Samples: After choosing one or more suppliers to work with, the next step should be requesting samples. Most suppliers charge a nominal fee, which should be reimbursed upon placing your official order.
4. Assess Your Samples: Upon receiving the models, be sure to examine them closely for compliance with your specific specifications. If they don’t match up perfectly with what was specified for their production, review and approve as appropriate immediately.
5. Submit Order: Once you’ve examined samples and experienced their services, it’s time to select your suppliers and sign an order agreement with them.
6. Monitor Order Production: Don’t just sit back after placing an order. Ask about their production progress frequently and request photographs or videos as often as possible.
7. Shipment: Once production has concluded, they will ship your order according to what was agreed upon. Typically, they provide tracking numbers so you can follow its progress or directly ask about your box’s whereabouts.
8. Clearance by Customs: Once your package reaches customs in your country, they may contact you and request some information to complete their clearance process. Keep an eye on your mailbox to submit this info expediently.
9. Inspection: Once your package arrives, immediately inspect it for substandard products and notify your supplier if there are any discrepancies. In such an instance, contact them directly so they may provide all the required information and solve it immediately.
Follow these steps, and your chances of importing lingerie will increase significantly.
Summary
Embarking on a lingerie import journey from China might initially seem daunting, but this blog post has walked you through the maze, transforming it into a path of exciting opportunities. From discovering the best supplier nestled in the heart of China’s robust lingerie industry to understanding the nuances of each intricate document necessary for the process, we’ve illuminated the path to successful importation.
So, whether you’re a seasoned importer or taking your first leap into the lingerie market, this guide is your trusty companion, making the process transparent and achievable. With the knowledge you’ve gained here, you’re ready to venture into the thriving world of lingerie importation. Best of luck in your lingerie business endeavors – may your journey be fruitful and your ventures successful!
