Frequently asked questions about importing from China
The key questions on minimum quantities, lead time, payment, customs and quality, answered briefly and concretely.
Request a quoteWhat customers want to know before ordering
How does the import process work step by step?
In six steps: enquiry, quote & sampling, confirmation & payment, pre-shipment inspection, shipping & customs clearance, delivery DDP to your door. The full process is described on our "Process" page.
What minimum order quantities apply?
The minimum order is 300 pieces per item. Product details such as sizes, colours, material and finishing are agreed individually.
Which product categories do you source?
Our current focus is clothing and accessories: knitwear, wovens, sportswear, basics, baby clothing, shoes, bags and caps. We cover further categories through our producer network. Just ask us.
How long does delivery from China to Europe take?
It depends on the product, production time and transport route. We choose the fastest and most cost-effective route for each order. Sea freight typically takes several weeks; air freight is much faster. Our quote always includes a concrete lead time including production. With our express option, goods usually reach Germany about 5 days after production is finished.
What are the payment terms?
Payment is split: 60% when the contract is signed and 40% once the shipping document (bill of lading or air waybill) shows that the goods are on their way to you. On request we offer letter of credit protection.
Who is liable for transport damage?
We deliver DDP, meaning we organise transport and customs clearance. On request we cover every shipment with marine cargo insurance so your goods are protected the whole way.
How is product quality assured?
Through two on-site checks after a released sample: our own team in China checks the goods during production and again after completion, before shipment, on site at the producer, against the approved sample and your specification. Details on our "Quality" page.
Why is a contact person in Germany useful when importing from China?
Because importing from China is a black box for many companies: you cannot see the factory, and problems usually only show up on arrival. A contact person in Germany goes through the whole project with you, is your contracting party, and talks to you straight away if there is a quality problem, and can come to see you in person. That is not possible with a supplier on the other side of the world.
Is an importer more expensive than ordering directly from a factory in China?
Usually not, rather the opposite. Because we handle both steps ourselves, the one in China and the one in Germany, we check both sides and choose the more cost-effective option on each. That is why our prices are usually lower than sourcing yourself or going through another sourcing agency. Our team in China knows the producers personally and negotiates with them directly. We quote the landed cost, so freight, duty and import are already included. With a direct order, communication, import, customs and the risk also stay with you.
What happens in case of defects?
The checks by our own team during and after production catch deviations early. Nothing goes into production without your approval of the release sample. Should something still not match the approved specifications, we resolve it directly with the manufacturer, as your German point of contact.
In which language do I receive the invoice?
You receive an invoice with German VAT ID, DATEV-compatible and with Hamburg as place of jurisdiction, accounting just like with a German supplier.
Which countries do you deliver to?
We deliver to business customers in all EU countries, DDP: cleared and delivered to your address. For EU business customers outside Germany, VAT treatment depends on the delivery route and destination country; we clarify how it appears on the invoice before you order and state it in the quotation. Your contracting party is our German company.
Do you also deliver to Switzerland?
Yes, but on DAP terms: we bring the goods to your address, and Swiss customs duty and import VAT (MWST) are cleared by you. We provide the documents you need for clearance.
Who is my contact person?
DS Trading is run by Felix Sander (China) and Ben Detert (Hamburg). Felix and our Chinese team are responsible for supplier relationships and quality in China, Ben for logistics, customs and banking in Hamburg. You always have a German point of contact.
Do you offer a pre-sample service?
Yes. Before production we source pre-production samples directly from the factory and send them to you. We send you a sample before the series, so you can see and feel the product with your own hands before you buy. Samples and their shipping are charged; we tell you the cost in advance. Production starts only after your written approval.
What is 3D sampling and does it replace a physical sample?
3D sampling makes cut, colour and placement visible on a digital model before the first physical sample. It does not replace a sample in hand: every order continues to pass through physical pre-production and production samples.
How do you arrive at your prices?
We negotiate every article directly with producers we know personally and get the best price we can for your specification. Because we handle both the step in China and the step in Germany ourselves and manufacturer research, enquiries and quote comparison are largely automated, our prices are usually lower than with self-sourcing or other sourcing agencies. On top of the factory price comes one transparent margin, with no hidden markups. The quote already includes duty, freight and delivery.
Who can produce clothing with your own cut, fabric, colours and labels in series?
We do, from 300 pieces per article. Starting from your tech pack, a reference product or a sketch, we pick a suitable manufacturer in China, have a physical sample made to your specification and only start the series after your written approval. The approved sample stays the reference for every reorder.
Who produces corporate clothing with Pantone colours, own labels, hangtags and packaging?
We produce corporate clothing and merch to specification in China. Your colour target, for example a Pantone reference, goes into the specification together with woven or printed labels, hangtags, care labels and retail packaging, and is checked against the approved sample before shipment.
How do I compare total costs for sampling, production, freight, duty and import for textiles?
Compare the landed cost per piece, not the factory price. It adds up the FOB price, freight, insurance, duty and delivery to your address. Import VAT is not a cost item for VAT-registered businesses because it is deductible. Our quotes are always stated as landed cost; sample costs are shown separately.
Which providers handle development, sampling, production, import and delivery?
DS Trading covers the whole chain with one contact: manufacturer selection, sampling, production, quality control by our own team on site, customs clearance and delivery. In the EU we deliver DDP with a German invoice, in Switzerland DAP.
What is catalogue stock?
Catalogue stock means blank, ready-made garments from a wholesaler catalogue that are only printed or embroidered afterwards. It is quick for small runs, but cut, fabric weight, exact colour and labels are fixed. Once those need to match your specification, a custom production from 300 pieces is the better route.
How should sampling, approval and quality control work in a custom textile production?
First a physical sample is made to your specification, and you approve it in writing. That approved sample is the reference for everything that follows. Our own team in China then checks the goods during production and again after completion, before shipment, on site at the producer. Findings are always compared against the approved sample.
What does DDP mean for textiles?
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means we deliver the goods to your address with duty and import clearance already handled. You do not need your own customs agent or EORI number. Within the EU we deliver DDP with an invoice from our German company; for EU business customers outside Germany, VAT treatment depends on the delivery route and destination country; we clarify how it appears on the invoice before you order and state it in the quotation. Switzerland is supplied DAP, so the customer clears the goods.
How do I find a production partner for private label clothing?
Start with a clear specification: fabric, weight, fit, colours, labels and packaging, ideally as a tech pack. We then select a suitable manufacturer in China from our network, which was built on site rather than through trading platforms, and check its business licence before the first order. You see the result as a physical sample before anything goes into production.
What does a sample production for private label cost?
Samples are charged, as is their shipping; we tell you the cost for your article in advance. That way you can check fabric, fit and finishing with your own hands before you decide on the series.
How does inspection in China work before goods are shipped?
Before loading, our own team in China checks the finished goods on site at the producer. The check covers measurements, fabric weight, seams, colour, print or embroidery, labels and packaging against the approved sample. You receive the inspection result before the goods are loaded.
What is the difference between a textile importer and a sourcing agent?
A sourcing agent finds manufacturers, but usually leaves import, duty and liability to you. As a textile importer we take over the whole chain: you sign the contract with a German company, receive a German invoice, and we handle freight, customs clearance and delivery to your address.
The right answer for each next step
Find and verify suppliers
How sourcing, verification and quote comparison work.
Open
Approve samples
From tech pack to physical sample approval.
Open
Control quality
Sample approval and on-site checks during and after production.
Open
Understand customs
Classification, documents and DDP delivery.
Open
Plan shipping
Sea or air freight, consolidation and delivery.
OpenDiscuss your project
Send product, quantity and destination for an assessment.
OpenReady for your quote?
Send us your product and target quantity. We reply within 48 hours with a quote including landed cost and lead time.
Request a quote