Sourcing t-shirts from China: what to know
Reviewed guide · updated 11 Sept 2026This guide summarizes what brand buyers need to know when sourcing T‑shirts from China, based on supplier data from a B2B directory. There are 523 T‑shirt suppliers listed and 83% of them have independent evidence such as registry entries, customs records or third‑party reviews, which helps reduce initial discovery risk. Use this guide to focus on the regional clusters, real MOQ and certification realities, typical service models, cost drivers, and practical vetting and logistics steps.
Market snapshot and regional clusters
Supplier concentration is uneven: Nanchang and Dongguan each host 43 listed suppliers, Shaoxing 36, Guangzhou 34, Hangzhou 24 and Ningbo 21. These clusters reflect regional strengths, with Dongguan and Guangzhou oriented toward higher‑volume cut‑and‑sew and export logistics, while Shaoxing and Hangzhou have strong knit and fabric supply chains. 83% of listed suppliers have independent evidence on file, which means most profiles are verifiable but you should still confirm capacity and product fit in direct conversations.
MOQ, sampling and service models
Of the 385 suppliers that publish an MOQ, 217 accept 50 units or fewer, 54 accept 51–200 units, 64 accept 201–500 units, 37 accept 501–1,000 units, and 13 require more than 1,000 units. Sampling services are widely offered, with 357 suppliers listing sampling and 415 offering custom design; OEM is offered by 388 suppliers and ODM by 317, while 246 advertise private‑label services. Use suppliers that explicitly list sampling and custom‑design if you need preproduction prototypes, and be prepared to pay per sample and for rush sample services, which in our experience can add one to three weeks to lead times.
Certifications, materials and construction to expect
Common certifications among listed suppliers include amfori BSCI (186 suppliers), ISO 9001 (177), Global Recycled Standard GRS (95), Sedex SMETA (71), OEKO‑TEX Standard 100 (67), WRAP (62), ISO 14001 (58) and GOTS (41). If you require organic fiber or recycled content, prioritize suppliers with GOTS or GRS. OEKO‑TEX is typical for low‑risk chemical claims on finished garments. Typical T‑shirt constructions are single‑jersey or slub knits for basics and heavier interlock or compact jerseys for premium tees, and buyers frequently ask for ring‑spun cotton or cotton blends; when fiber origin or traceability matters, demand the specific certification and test reports.
Cost drivers, negotiation levers and vetting
Primary cost drivers are fabric quality and composition, trims and label complexity, unit quantity, and finishing such as pigment dyeing or enzyme washes. Labor content rises for detailed workmanship like coverstitching, gussets or complex neck constructions. Negotiate on lead time, payment terms and incremental pricing bands tied to order volume; because many listings are Manufacturer & Trader (339) rather than pure manufacturers (135) or traders (49), clarify who performs cutting and sewing to avoid middle‑margin surprises. Vet factories by requesting recent factory photos, production samples, inspection reports, certification copies and a list of export customers; independently verify at least the certifications and one live reference when your first production exceeds the factory’s published MOQ.
Logistics, lead times and compliance checkpoints
Lead times vary by order size and complexity; for small production runs under common MOQs many suppliers will quote four to eight weeks, while larger orders typically take longer, in our experience. Confirm whether the supplier exports directly or uses a trading arm, especially for customs documentation and duties. Require a packing list that aligns with the commercial invoice and insist on independent pre‑shipment inspection for first orders. For claims around organic, recycled content or restricted substances, require the actual lab test reports and ensure test dates are within the requested validity period.
Questions to ask before you sample
- Can you provide verifiable copies of certifications claimed (amfori BSCI, ISO 9001, GRS, GOTS, OEKO‑TEX) and recent test reports for restricted substances?
- What is your published MOQ for this SKU, and can you confirm sample MOQ and lead time for a production sample?
- Do you manufacture in your own factory or through partner facilities, and can you provide recent factory photos and a list of export customers or references?
- What are your lead times for first production and for repeat orders at the proposed quantity, and what are payment terms and incremental price breaks?
- Who handles export documentation and shipping: the manufacturer, a trading arm, or a logistics partner, and can you provide an estimated landed cost to my port?
- Can you show construction details and a physical preproduction sample with stitch type, trim spec and labelling, and will you agree to an independent pre‑shipment inspection?
- If I require organic or recycled content, can you provide chain‑of‑custody documentation and certification numbers for each batch of fabric?