B2B Buyer Questions — Answered by the Factory

What is the minimum order quantity for custom scarves?

The standard MOQ is 300 pieces per style per colourway for most knitted constructions — acrylic, merino, and blended yarns. Complex multi-colour jacquard programmes and pure cashmere styles require 500 pcs per colourway due to yarn lot minimums and machine setup economics. Woven constructions are also 500 pcs minimum.

Can I split the MOQ across multiple colours?

No. The MOQ applies per colourway, not per total order. A 300-piece MOQ means 300 units of a single colour. Placing 100 pcs each of three colours does not meet the minimum — each colour requires its own 300-piece run because each colour involves a separate yarn dye lot and machine changeover.

How is unit pricing structured across volume tiers?

Unit price decreases as volume increases because fixed costs — yarn sourcing, machine setup, packaging, QC — are spread across more units. The most significant price break occurs between 300–500 pcs and 1 000+ pcs. Above 3 000 pcs, further reductions are available but incremental. A pricing sheet specific to your construction and yarn type is provided with every formal quote.

Are sample fees refunded when I place a bulk order?

Sample fees are not automatically refunded but are credited against your first bulk order when the order reaches the agreed minimum value. The credit amount and minimum order threshold are stated in the sampling agreement. One-off sample requests with no confirmed intention to order are invoiced at full cost.

What costs are included in the FOB price?

FOB (Free On Board, Ningbo or Shanghai port) includes yarn, production, inline QC, pre-shipment inspection, standard export packaging, and carton labelling. It does not include freight, insurance, import duties, or destination charges. If you require OEKO-TEX certification documentation, this is included. Third-party factory audit costs are separate and quoted on request.

How long does the sampling process take from brief to approval?

A proto sample in stock colours takes 10–15 days from brief confirmation for knitted constructions and 12–18 days for woven. If custom colours are required, add 7–14 days for lab dip development and approval before the coloured sample enters production. Total sampling time including one revision round is typically 3–5 weeks. Providing complete Pantone references and dimensions at submission eliminates the most common causes of delay.

How many sample rounds should I budget for?

Most orders are approved within two rounds: a proto sample that confirms construction and fit, followed by a sealed production sample (golden sample) that confirms colour and finish. A third round is occasionally required for complex jacquard programmes or if the brief changes during development. Each revision round is 10–15 days. Budget three rounds in your critical path to avoid timeline risk.

What is the bulk production lead time after sample approval?

Standard bulk lead time is 12–16 weeks from golden sample approval and deposit receipt. This covers yarn procurement (3–5 weeks for custom dye lots), production scheduling (1–2 weeks), knitting or weaving (3–4 weeks), finishing and QC (2–3 weeks), and export packing (1 week). Orders placed during Chinese New Year (mid-January to mid-February) add 2–3 weeks to all stages.

How does Chinese New Year affect my production schedule?

The factory closes for approximately 15–18 days over Chinese New Year, typically falling between late January and mid-February. Orders with a delivery deadline before April should be confirmed and deposited by October of the prior year. Yarn procurement for those orders should be locked by November at the latest to avoid post-holiday yarn shortages, which are common in the first 4–6 weeks after the factory reopens.

What is the difference in transit time between sea freight and air freight?

Sea freight from Ningbo: 28–35 days to Northern Europe, 18–22 days to US West Coast, 28–32 days to US East Coast. Air freight: 5–7 days to most destinations. Air freight unit cost is typically 6–10× higher than sea freight and is generally used only for samples, urgent replenishment, or small orders where speed justifies the cost premium.

What is the colour accuracy tolerance for bulk production?

The standard bulk production tolerance is ΔE ≤ 2.0, measured against the approved lab dip using a spectrophotometer under D65 illuminant. For fashion brand and luxury retail orders, ΔE ≤ 1.5 is available on request and is specified in the quality agreement before production begins. No bulk yarn is dyed until the lab dip colour is formally approved in writing.

Do you provide OEKO-TEX certification?

Yes. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification is available for acrylic, merino, blended, and most other yarn constructions used in standard production. The certificate covers harmful substance limits and is provided with the shipping documentation. For cashmere orders, GCS (Good Cashmere Standard) traceability documentation is available on request.

Is REACH compliance covered for EU import?

All production yarns are tested against REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 restricted substances. Test reports from accredited laboratories are available on request and are typically required for EU retail buyers. Fibre composition labelling compliant with EU Textile Labelling Regulation 1007/2011 is applied to all products by default.

What quality control steps happen during production?

QC is applied at three stages: inline inspection during knitting (checking gauge, tension, and pattern registration), mid-production inspection at 30–40% completion, and pre-shipment inspection covering a statistical sample of the finished bulk. The pre-shipment report — including measurements, colour readings, and defect classification — is sent to the buyer before the shipment is released.

What happens if defects are found in the shipment?

If defect rates exceed the agreed AQL tolerance (typically AQL 2.5 for major defects), the shipment is held and re-inspected before release. If defective units are found after arrival, a quality claim must be submitted within 30 days of receipt with photographic evidence. Claims are assessed against the pre-shipment inspection report. Remedies include replacement units in the next production run or a credit note, depending on defect type and scale.

How do I start an order?

Submit a brief via the contact page including: construction type (knitted / woven), dimensions, yarn preference, Pantone colour references, quantity, and required delivery date. A sales representative responds within one business day with a feasibility confirmation and quote request form. Sampling begins after brief approval and deposit payment.

What are the standard payment terms?

Standard terms are 30% deposit upon order confirmation, with the remaining 70% due before shipment release. Payment is accepted by T/T (bank transfer) in USD. For established buyers with a confirmed order history, extended terms of 50% pre-production and 50% net 30 days from bill of lading date may be available on request.

What design files do you need to start production?

For jacquard knit: vector artwork in AI or EPS format, separated by colour with Pantone TCX references for each zone. For embroidery: DST or EMB digitised file, or a clear raster image for our digitising team to convert (digitising fee applies). For printed scarves: high-resolution artwork at 150 dpi minimum at production size. All files should be provided with a written spec confirming dimensions, repeat placement, and colour breakdown.

Can I reorder the same style without re-sampling?

Yes, provided the golden sample and tech pack are on file and no specification changes are required. Reorders against a locked golden sample skip the sampling stage and proceed directly to production scheduling. Colour accuracy on reorders is matched to the original lab dip. If more than 18 months have passed since the original order, a colour confirmation swatch is recommended before committing to bulk reorder quantities.

What if I need to make changes after the order is placed?

Changes to specification, colour, or quantity are possible before yarn is cut or dyed — typically within the first 2 weeks of the production window. After yarn procurement begins, changes may incur material cost adjustments or require a new sample round. Specification changes after the golden sample is approved restart the sampling process. All changes must be confirmed in writing before the factory acts on them.