How US Brands Source Custom Sweaters from China (DDP Guide)
Ordering custom sweaters from a Chinese factory runs in five steps: pick a factory that owns its machines, approve a 72-hour physical sample, confirm 100 pieces per design, run 2-3 weeks of bulk production with inline QC, and ship DDP - duties paid to your door in the US. Here is each step, written from a factory floor in Dalang, Dongguan.
Step 1: Find a factory that owns the machines
The first question for any supplier: what machines knit your sweaters, where, and how many?
A factory that owns a flat-knit floor answers with specifics - machine counts, gauges and sample photos from the production line. A trading company answers with a catalog. Our own floor in Dalang runs 100+ computerized flat-knit machines, which is why 13-colour jacquard charts and 3D relief structures that other suppliers turn away are standard programs here.
Step 2: Approve a 72-hour physical sample
Send a sketch, a photo or a tech pack. A knit-ready chart comes back from the in-house design team, and a physical sample - the actual garment in your yarn and colours - ships in 72 hours.
Approve the fit, the stitch definition and the colours on the real garment before any bulk commitment. Revisions at this stage cost days, not weeks.
Step 3: Confirm MOQ and pricing
- MOQ: 100 pieces per design - split across sizes and colourways
- Price: quoted per project, depending on yarn, colour count, finishing and quantity
- Payment: 30% deposit to lock machine slots, 70% before shipment - T/T, PayPal or L/C
Yarn choice, colour count and embroidery move the number; the custom sweater cost guide breaks down each factor.
Step 4: Inline QC, not end-of-line surprises
Inline checks happen at each sewing and linking station - seams, pockets and linings verified as the program runs. Before dispatch: AQL 2.5 final inspection with photos and video sent for approval.
Step 5: Ship DDP - one landed cost
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means the factory handles freight, customs and duties to your door in the US. One landed cost, no brokerage surprises, no customs paperwork on your side. Sea for volume, air for deadlines.
Timing: the US buying calendar
US brands book holiday programs 3-4 months ahead. A Christmas program ordered in July samples in July, runs bulk in September and lands in October - on schedule. The same program ordered in November competes with every other holiday order for machine slots.
FAQ
Is the 100-piece MOQ negotiable? The MOQ exists because each design needs its own knit program. Splitting one design across sizes and colourways is free - multiplying designs is not.
How do I pay a factory in China? 30% deposit by T/T or PayPal to lock production, 70% balance after QC photos are approved. L/C accepted on larger programs.
What if the sample is wrong? Revisions run in days - yarn, chart and sample are all in-house. Most programs converge in one or two rounds.
Who handles customs? On DDP terms, the factory does - freight, duties and delivery to your door are one invoice.
Ready to start? Send your design and quantity on the custom sweater manufacturer page for an exact quote, or browse the Christmas sweater line.