B2B Underwear Sourcing FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are you a manufacturer or a trading company?
We are a professional underwear sourcing and supply-chain management company — a trading partner that works with a network of deeply integrated, long-term partner factories in Fujian. We are transparent that we are not a factory owner; our value is matching each order to the right audited factory and managing development, quality control and logistics end-to-end for you.
2. Why should I work with a trading company instead of a factory directly?
Because a single factory limits you to one facility’s machinery, specialty and capacity. We act as your supply-chain manager: we select the right partner factory per style, consolidate men’s, women’s, kids’ and sleepwear into one container, and give you one accountable point of contact for QC, communication and documentation. A trading company is a problem when it hides the truth — we state our model openly so you always know who produces your order.
3. Can you share your business license and company registration?
Yes. Xiamen Unitex Trade Co., Ltd. has been in the trade since 2009 and was incorporated in 2013 in Xiamen, Fujian, China. On request we provide our business license, registered address and export details, and the name on our quotation, invoice and bank account all match — so you can verify we are the same entity you are paying.
4. Can you provide client references or case studies?
Yes. We have served European, South American and global wholesale clients since 2013, including programs for Alvaro Moreno (Spain), Capri (Italy), IGAM (Italy), leopoldogross (Uruguay), cheerup (Israel), and so on. We can share anonymized case examples and, with a client’s permission, references for your specific category.
5. Who exactly produces my order, and can I verify it?
Your order is produced by one or more of our long-term partner factories in Fujian — we will tell you the specific factory, its address and audit status before production, and you can verify it by live video tour or an in-person visit. You are never left guessing where your goods are made.
6. What product categories do you cover?
Men’s, women’s and kids’ underwear (briefs, boxer briefs, boxers, trunks, thongs, bikinis), sport bras, and pajamas/sleepwear. Because we work across a factory network, we can consolidate the whole family range into one container — a single supplier for your full assortment.
7. What is the difference between OEM and ODM?
OEM means you provide the design, tech pack or reference sample and production runs to your specification. ODM means you select from our ready-made styles and customize fabric, colors, branding and packaging. We offer both — OEM for brands with a clear direction, ODM for faster, lower-cost launches.
8. Which fabrics can you supply?
Combed cotton, cotton-spandex, modal, bamboo viscose, microfiber, nylon-spandex, GRS recycled polyester and organic cotton — all certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100. We provide fabric swatches with technical data (composition, GSM, shrinkage and colorfastness) during sampling.
9. What printing and decoration techniques do you offer?
Water-based, rubber, transfer/hot-transfer, discharge, reactive and digital printing, plus yarn-dyed stripes for a no-print look. We recommend the best technique for your fabric and artwork, and you approve a strike-off before bulk printing.
10. Can you develop a style from just a photo or sketch?
Yes. Photos, sketches or reference garments are all valid starting points. Our pattern makers draft the block, our merchandisers source matching fabrics and trims, and you approve a physical sample before any commitment.
11. Are your patterns designed for European or American body types?
We maintain two grading blocks built from years of fitting data: an EU block (higher hip-to-waist ratio, narrower leg opening) and a US block (fuller cut through hip and thigh). Both are starting points — we adjust grading to your spec sheet and target consumer, and supply a graded measurement spec with every style.
12. Can you provide multi-language packaging and labels?
Yes. Our partner factories produce care labels, hangtags and retail packaging in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Arabic and more, matched to your destination market’s legal labeling requirements.
13. Can I get samples, and are they free?
Yes — we send free reference samples so you can evaluate workmanship, fabric, print quality and measurements; you only cover the courier charge (or provide your DHL/FedEx/UPS/TNT account). Custom development samples carry a fee that is credited to your bulk order.
14. How much does sampling cost, and is the fee refundable?
Simple counter samples are often free with freight collect. Complex developments cost roughly USD 30–80 per style, and that fee is deducted from your first bulk order — so in practice the development cost is refunded once you place the order.
15. How long does sampling take?
Counter samples are typically ready in 7–10 days; fully custom developments take 12–18 days. With complete information the timeline is: lab dips 3–7 days, fitting samples 3–7 days, print strike-offs 3–7 days, accessories 7–10 days, and pre-production samples 5–7 days after bulk fabric arrives.
16. Do you use a golden sample for production?
Yes. Before bulk our partner factories produce a golden sample — a perfect reference unit signed off by both sides. Every QC inspection is measured against that sealed sample, which prevents the most common production disputes over fit and construction.
17. What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
MOQ is by category: men’s underwear 2,000 pieces per style per color; women’s underwear 2,000; kids’ underwear 2,000; pajama sets 600 sets; sport bras 3,600. Figures can flex slightly with fabric, accessories and program size.
18. Can I order below the MOQ for a first order?
Yes. For first-time buyers we support smaller trial orders (typically 1,000 pieces) so you can validate quality and fit before scaling. Unit cost runs slightly higher on small runs, and most customers move to full MOQ from the second order.
19. Do you offer in-stock or ready-made items with a lower MOQ?
Occasionally we hold stock fabric and standard trims that allow lower minimums or faster sampling. Tell us your target styles and quantities and we will say honestly what is feasible — we prefer to point you to the right path than force an MOQ that doesn’t fit your stage.
20. Do you offer a starter pack or micro-MOQ trial for new brands?
Yes. For first-time buyers we support trial orders of 1,000 pieces. The goal is to let you validate quality and fit before scaling — small orders get the same attention and QC as large ones.
21. How is your pricing structured, and what does FOB include?
We quote FOB Xiamen with a transparent breakdown: fabric, trims, accessories, printing, sampling amortization, packing and inspection. Fabric is usually 60–70% of cost. You always know what you are paying for, and EXW, CIF and DDP are available on request.
22. How does pricing change with order quantity?
Larger orders unlock better yarn and dyeing rates, and consolidating colors across styles also lowers cost. We hold quotations valid for 30 days, and once you confirm with a deposit the price is locked — we do not pass mid-production raw-material increases onto confirmed orders.
23. How long is your quotation valid?
Standard quotations are valid for 30 days. Once an order is confirmed with a deposit, the price is locked. For strategic programs with rolling forecasts we can discuss 60–90 day price guarantees or quarterly locks on core styles.
24. What is your bulk production lead time?
New orders typically take 45–60 days after pre-production sample approval and deposit. Repeat orders using stock fabric and trims ship in 30–40 days, and standardized programs can ship in as little as 25 days.
25. How fast can a repeat order ship?
Repeat orders with previously used fabrics and trims typically ship in 30–40 days. When the original yarn, dyeing recipe and accessory specs are already on file, re-orders can ship in as little as 25 days because cutting and sewing start almost immediately.
26. How do you guarantee delivery during peak season?
Peak season is planned, not improvised. We reserve capacity for forecasted volume, run a multi-factory production matrix (equivalent BSCI audit status across lines), and recommend confirming fabric and trims by June to avoid the August–September dyeing bottleneck. We flag realistic delivery risks before you commit, not after.
27. What is your complete process from inquiry to delivery?
Six steps: (1) you send a brief or sample; (2) we quote within 48 hours; (3) sampling and golden-sample approval; (4) deposit and bulk production; (5) inline QC, final AQL 2.5 inspection and pre-shipment photos; (6) shipping with full documentation. Your merchandiser updates you at every stage.
28. How do you control quality?
Inline QC at every sewing operation, plus a final random inspection to AQL 2.5 (critical 0 / major 2.5 / minor 4.0), measured against your sealed golden sample. QC reports are linked to your PO number, production date and fabric lot for batch traceability.
29. What AQL standard do you inspect to?
AQL 2.5, Level II, as the default: zero critical defects, major defects ≤2.5%, minor ≤4.0%. For a 5,000-piece order that means roughly 200 units are inspected at final. We can apply stricter levels if your brand requires.
30. Can we arrange third-party inspection?
Yes. We welcome third-party inspections by SGS, Intertek, TÜV or your own nominated agency at any stage, and we share inline photos and video updates throughout production.
31. What certifications do your partner factories hold?
Materials are certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and the factories we work with are BSCI-audited (Sedex/SMETA reports available on request). We operate REACH-aware chemical management and support CPSIA documentation for US children’s products.
32. Can you share current audit reports and certificate numbers?
Yes. On request we share current audit reports and explain which entity holds each certificate — so you can verify compliance covers your specific order rather than just taking a logo on a website. Certificates belong to the production site and are provided at quotation stage.
33. What are your fabric testing standards?
We test every fabric batch before cutting: shrinkage ≤5% after 5 wash cycles (cotton-rich), colorfastness Grade 4+ (ISO 105-C06), elastic recovery <5% residual deformation at 300% stretch, seam strength per ISO 13935-2, and pH 4.0–7.5 for skin-contact fabrics. Reports from SGS, Intertek or TÜV are available on request.
34. What is the difference between OEKO-TEX Class I and Class II?
Class I is the strictest, for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. Class II covers skin-contact adult products (underwear, sleepwear). Our materials are certified to Class II, and for children’s Class I programs we source Class I-certified materials with correct lab certification.
35. Can you provide GRS Transaction Certificates for recycled fabrics?
Yes. Our recycled fabrics (rPET, recycled nylon) come from GRS-certified mill partners. On recycled-material orders we obtain the Transaction Certificate from the fabric supplier, tracing recycled content through the supply chain, and provide it with your shipment documents. TC issuance takes 7–15 working days after fabric ships.
36. Are your packaging materials compliant with EU EPR regulations?
We offer EPR-ready packaging: GRS-certified recycled PE bags, PLA biodegradable bags, FSC-certified cartons and reduced-plastic compression packing. We also adapt to country-specific rules such as France’s AGEC and Germany’s VerpackG.
37. Can you provide EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) traceability data?
Yes, we are already preparing for DPP. For each program we document yarn source, dye house and chemical inventory, OEKO-TEX certificate numbers per fabric lot, and production location — compiled into a BOM-level traceability document that feeds your DPP system.
38. Do you offer sustainable or recycled materials?
Yes. Options include GRS-certified recycled polyester and recycled nylon, organic cotton, and lower-impact trims. We are transparent about certification scope — if you need a specific sustainability claim, we will tell you exactly what documentation supports it.
39. Can you provide carbon footprint or environmental data for my products?
We can provide the underlying inputs — yarn source, dye house, energy and water data where available, plus material certifications (GRS, organic cotton). If you need a formal carbon footprint calculation, we supply the data to your compliance team or a third-party auditor.
40. What are your partner factories’ labor policies on working hours and forced labor?
The factories we use are audited under BSCI (Sedex/SMETA reports available on request), which cover working hours, wages, and prohibitions on forced and child labor. Current audit reports are available on request so you can verify the social compliance of the exact facility producing your order.
41. What shipping terms, ports and transit times do you use?
We quote FOB, CNF (CFR), EXW, CIF or DDP — all negotiable. FOB Xiamen is our standard. Transit times: express courier 5–10 days, air freight 7–12 days, sea freight 20–35 days depending on destination. We prepare full export documentation.
42. Can you consolidate mixed categories in one container?
Yes — this is one of our strengths as a multi-factory supply-chain manager. Men’s, women’s, kids’ underwear and pajamas from different partner factories can be consolidated into one container, which lowers your per-unit freight cost and simplifies customs.
43. Can you ship unpacked or in bulk to reduce cost?
Yes. Depending on your sales channel we can ship in bulk or flat-packed to cut packaging cost and freight volume. For retail we recommend retail-ready packing; for wholesale and e-commerce we can go leaner to protect your margin.
44. Do you support Amazon FBA prep and retail barcodes?
Yes. We support FBA prep requirements (poly-bagging with suffocation warnings, FNSKU labeling, carton weight limits) and GS1 barcoding for retail. Tell us your sales channel and we align packing and labeling accordingly.
45. Do you handle EU and South American customs documentation?
Yes. The EU is our largest market — we are fluent in REACH, EU labeling and CE-relevant documentation. For Brazil and Chile we prepare the specific certificates and Spanish/Portuguese documentation those customs regimes require.
46. Can you sign an NDA and protect my designs?
Yes. We sign a mutual NDA before you share any tech pack or design, and we keep your specifications confidential. Ask for our standard NDA or send your own — we are happy to work with it.
47. Can you guarantee exclusivity on my designs?
Yes, within a written agreement. If you develop a proprietary style with us, we will agree not to produce the same or substantially similar design for any other buyer. We take your IP seriously because repeat business is our model.
48. Who owns the pattern and samples after development?
You own your brand, artwork and any proprietary design you bring. We keep the physical pattern and sampling records as your production partner, but we never reuse or resell your design to anyone else — this is covered in our agreement.
49. What happens if a quality issue is found after delivery?
We handle it directly — no deflection. Within 48 hours our QC team reviews the issue and issues an assessment, followed by an 8D corrective-action report (containment, root cause, permanent fix, prevention). Resolution: minor defects get a discount or credit, major defects get replacement or partial refund, critical defects get full replacement at our cost plus expedited shipping.
50. How do you handle delays or problems during a project?
We flag problems early rather than hiding them. If a date is at risk we tell you before you commit, propose the recovery plan, and keep you updated. Our job as your supply-chain manager is to protect your launch timeline, not just to take the order.
51. What payment terms do you offer?
Standard terms are 30% T/T deposit to confirm the order and 70% balance against B/L copy — negotiable. L/C at sight is accepted for larger programs.
52. Do you accept escrow or Alibaba Trade Assurance?
Our standard payment is T/T (30% deposit, 70% against B/L copy), but for new relationships we can work through Alibaba Trade Assurance or a letter of credit so you have third-party protection on your first order.
53. Can I visit your office and the partner factories?
Yes, visitors are welcome. Our head office is in Xiamen, Fujian (fly to Xiamen Airport or take the bullet train to Xiamen Station). The partner factories are in Jinjiang/Quanzhou, about an hour away. Client visits and pre-shipment inspections happen year-round.
54. How do we start working together?
Send your tech pack, reference sample or brief to [email protected] or WhatsApp +86 186 5081 3853. You receive a quotation within 48 hours, samples within 7–10 days, and a dedicated merchandiser who manages your program from costing to container.
· Xiamen Unitex Trade Co., Ltd. — OEM & ODM underwear sourcing partner
Unitex Underwear (Xiamen Unitex Trade Co., Ltd.) — OEM/ODM underwear sourcing and supply-chain partner in Xiamen, China; in the trade since 2009, incorporated in 2013.