How to import t-shirts from China: a complete step-by-step guide

Importing t-shirts from China is a fully plannable process. Importers who lose money rarely lose it because the market is hard; they lose it because they started from the price instead of starting from the specification. This guide puts the process into nine steps, with a realistic duration for each.

How long does it take to import a t-shirt order from China?

From signed order to goods in your warehouse: 55 to 90 days under normal conditions. Roughly: sampling 10 to 18 days, production 25 to 40 days, inspection and container booking 5 to 8 days, sea freight 18 to 35 days depending on destination, then 2 to 5 days of customs clearance. Air freight cuts the transit to about five days but multiplies the transport cost several times over, so it is worth it only for samples or small urgent orders.

Step one: write the specification before you ask for a price

The minimum specification any factory understands: fabric type and composition, weight in grams per square metre, the fit, the size range, the colours and how many, the print method with its size and placement, the packing type, and the quantity per size and colour. Without these, the quotes you receive are not comparable, because every factory will have priced a different product.

Step two: choose your price tier deliberately

The Chinese t-shirt market has three clear tiers: light open-end fabric for promotional orders, combed cotton at mid weight for ordinary retail, and heavy or specialised fabrics for premium retail brands. The unit cost between the first and third tier can differ threefold. Pick your tier first, then compare only inside it.

Step three: screening factories

Ask every factory for its business licence, year of establishment, number of production lines, the markets it exports to, and photographs of comparable orders. A supplier who answers yes to everything without asking you anything back is usually a trading agent, not a factory. A real factory asks about weight, fit and quantity before it quotes.

Steps four and five: the sample, then the pre-production sample

The first sample proves the factory understood the design. The pre-production sample proves it can repeat that in the final fabric and colours. Never skip the second one: it is the reference you will argue from if something goes wrong, and you should sign it and keep a copy.

Step six: the contract and payment terms

The common structure is 30% deposit and 70% against a copy of the bill of lading. Do not pay 100% in advance. Fix in the contract: the full specification, the tolerance allowed on weight and measurements, the acceptable defect rate, the delivery date, and the delivery term in Incoterms.

Step seven: pre-shipment inspection

A third-party inspection before you release the final payment, on a random sample drawn from sealed cartons, covering measurements, fabric weight, colour accuracy, print durability, stitching and packing. It costs one working day and protects money you cannot recover once the goods have sailed.

Step eight: shipping and documents

The core documents are the commercial invoice, the packing list, the bill of lading and the certificate of origin. Any error in the goods description or the HS code stalls clearance and accrues daily storage charges.

Step nine: receiving and recording

On arrival, open a random selection of cartons and compare them against the signed pre-production sample. Record any deviation with photographs within days of receipt, because in practice the claim window is short.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a registered company to import? In most markets yes, because customs clearance requires a tax number or an importer number.

What is the smallest practical quantity? Usually 100 to 300 pieces per model and colour. Below that, the unit cost rises far enough to remove the point of the order.

Should I buy from a factory or an agent? The factory is cheaper but leaves quality control and shipping to you. A professional agent costs more and absorbs the coordination and inspection. The answer depends on your experience and your volume.

At Source of T-shirt we handle all nine steps from Guangzhou: factory selection, sampling, production follow-up, inspection, and shipping to your door.