Bookairfreight’s Key Takeaways:
• Choose OEM if you want to have more design flexability, and ODM if the manufacturer has the exact product you want to sell.• Finding a manufacturer who already sells in the USA already, makes life easier.• Air freight is cheaper and quicker for goods under 150kg. Ocean freight is cheaper for goods weighing over 150kg.
Whichever the season, hats and caps are worn worldwide, no matter the weather or occasion. Around 43 million caps are sold in the USA annually.
The estimate hat sales revenue at more than $2 billion a year (Lucrative, we know 💸). We believe this is an overlooked and growing market and needs some clarity on importing hats, especially for strong willed entrepreneurs looking to break into the market.
Whether you have an interest or have no idea where to start, in this blog, you will learn how to ship hats from China, and how to find suppliers accordingly in China.
Most export-oriented cap and headwear suppliers are located in Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Guangdong.
While most factories can present showrooms full of demo products they’ve made for other customers, they still expect you to provide a complete techpack (a blueprint created by a designer.).
These files must be included:
•Design drawing
• Sewing pattern
• Bill of materials (fabric, color codes, velcro, and other parts)
• Care label
• Logo/embroidery files
•Temperature insulation test
• Size chart
While it may seem like a shortcut to send over a reference sample to the factory, that’s rarely the case, something that often results in severe quality issues.
Here are a few quality issues you should look out for when importing caps and other headwear:
• Low-quality fabric (if no reference fabric submitted)
•Wrong Pantone colors (if no Pantone color specified in BoM)
• Too small or too large (if no size chart submitted)
Prints and embroideries can also be difficult, and often requires that the supplier remakes the cap samples multiple times.
Most cap and hat manufacturers set their MOQs on the same basis as other factories in the textiles industry. As such, you must request your supplier to confirm multiple MOQs:
• MOQ per order (e.g. 1000 pcs)
• MOQ per product or design (e.g. 500 pcs)
•MOQ per fabric and color (e.g. 250 pcs)
• MOQ per size (e.g. 50 pcs)
Here are some of the most popular (and secure) platforms for connecting US-based importers with Chinese shoe manufacturers:
• Alibaba: Alibaba has a large number of manufacturers available on their platform with products ranging from heavy machinery to accessories and shoes.
• DHgate: DHgate is similar to Alibaba and you will find most shoe manufacturers in both places. We recommend DHgate as a second platform to try if you can't find any on Alibaba, as they do tend to have slightly more variety in their offering.
• Made-In-China: Made-In-China is similar to Alibaba and DHgate, with the key difference that 80% of their traffic comes from the Western market (US and EU buyers), while the other two get 80% traffic domestically (Chinese buyers). Their product offering is not that large, but if you do find options that interest you, the manufacturers are more likely suited for importing to the USA.
Their product offering is not that large, but if you do find options that interest you on Made-In-China, the manufacturers are a lot more likely to be well suited for importing to the USA.
We suggest you make your selection by comparing them on these criteria:
• Main products
• Test reports
•BSCI or Sendex
• ISO 9001
• Registered capital
Bookairfreight’s Tips:
• One piece of cap typically weighs 120-180 grams
• 150 pairs of cap will be packed into a carton
• Volume of one carton is 0.165 CBM
Here's where the fun begins and your creative side can shine through.
Don’t just go for a custom patch slapped onto a generic hat, but rather you can choose among 4, 5, and 6 panels for a more precise, custom fit, plus different materials, bill types, panel color, bill color, stitching color, bill curvature, custom patches and logos, and more.
To learn more about creating your own custom hat, check out this blog on customs hats.
Many custom hat manufacturers tack on design charges, which add to your upfront costs, making the whole enterprise less accessible from the start. Look to get a free design service who will work with you until you’ve got the perfect product – no financial obligation until you’re happy.
This is especially important if you’re launching or growing a brand, though packaging inserts and stickers work great for merch as well.
High-quality custom labels, tags, and packaging help increase the professionalism of your brand’s image and deepen brand awareness by creating a memorable unpacking experience for your customers.
ASTM is an international standards organization that publishes different types of standards for corporations or governments, and the standards have been adopted in the United States. ASTM also provides textile standards for specifications and test methods.
ASTM’s standards are voluntary unless the standard is incorporated by reference.
In terms of textiles product, here are the standards that have been incorporated into the law:
• Children’s upper outerwear must be in conformance with ASTM F1816-97
• Standard Guide for care symbols for care instructions on Textile products – ASTM D5489
When it comes to textiles labeling regulations, the U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Federal Trade Commission(FTC) are responsible for enforcing labeling laws and acts.
In general, most clothing and home textile products are covered by the labeling requirements. Notice that the labeling requirements do not apply until the products are ready for sale to consumers.
Textile and apparel products to be sold in the United States must be labeled with the following information:
• Fiber content
• Country of origin
•Manufacturer or dealer identity
• Care instructions
As the fiber content is required to be provided on content labels, here we listed some common textile fibers and its attribute for reference.
• Silk - Smooth fabric finish with shine surface
• Wool - Warmth
•Cotton - Lightweight and absorbent
• Nylon - Durable, strong, lightweight and dries quickly
• Polyester - Durable, strong, lightweight and dries quickly
• Cashmere wool - Softness
The FTC has specified the placement of the required labeling. In general, the label must be conspicuous and accessible on the inside or outside the product, and the country of origin label should not be covered by any other label.
Label Placement Examples
1. For garments, the label must be attached near the inside center of the neck. The fiber content and manufacturer could be disclosed on another label attached to a side beam.
2. For Skirts, the label inside of the waistband is preferable.
3. For pillowcases, the label should be attached on the inside close to the open end.
The care instruction is required under the FTC labeling rule. Manufacturers and importers must attach the care instructions permanently to garments.
Care symbols are standardized under ASTM D5489-96c – the standard guide for care symbols for care instructions on textile products.
Care labels must state what regular care is necessary for the ordinary use of the product. For example, if the garment cannot be cleaned without harm, a warning sign should be provided.
The country of origin labeling is mandatory under the FTC rule, and it must be on the front of the label. The country of origin label should not be covered by any other label.
Examples
• Made in China
• Made in Vietnam
• Made in USA
The country of origin label must represent the actual manufacturing country. You are not allowed to claim that the product is manufactured elsewhere by, for example, shipping the product for relabeling or repacking in a third country.
Marketers and manufacturers promote their products as “Made in USA”, must meet or virtually meet all the requirements published by FTC.
Here are some requirements for Made in USA labeling
1. The significant parts and processing that go into the product must be of U.S. origin.
2. If the product is not entirely made in the U.S., the claim should include the description of extent, amount of domestic content or processing.
3. US content must be disclosed on textile products.
The English language is mandatory. However, other languages can be added in addition to the English language version of the label.
California Proposition 65 testing
CA Prop 65 requires warnings about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm. However, it is difficult for importers to know what substances are contained in their clothing products.
With that said, we recommend you make a CA prop 65 test request to the laboratory in order to comply with the regulation when importing to California.
List of CA Prop 65 Testing Companies:
• SGS
• QIMA
• Intertek
• TUV
• Bureau Veritas
Under FFA, CPSC issued the mandatory flammability standards for the clothing textiles and Importers will be responsible for meeting the standards. A lab test is the only way to ensure the flammability of your clothing products has complied with FFA.
FHSA required cautionary labeling to the hazard associated with the use of the product, also listed the banned hazardous substances for clothing products.
Although lab tests are usually not mandatory, it is still beneficial for you to make sure your products do not contain any restricted substance under FHSA.
List of FFA Lab Testing Companies
• UL
• TUV
CPSIA requires children’s products including clothing, to comply with the safety rules and also be tested for compliance by a CPSC-accepted accredited laboratory.
On the other hand, CPSIA also requires a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) for non-children’s products. In order to comply with CPSIA, importers must use the CPSC-Accepted testing laboratories and it is available through CPSC website.
List of CPSIA Lab Testing Companies
• SGS
• TUV
Air freight and ocean freight are the two main methods of shipping merchandise internationally. When shipping hats and caps from China, you want the best option for transporting your goods.
Within air freight, you have two options: express courier and traditional air freight.
•Express courier is faster (4-7 days delivery time), and it is 10-20% more expensive than traditional air freight
• Traditional air freight on the other hand is cheaper but has slightly slower delivery times (13-15 days)
• Polyester - Durable, strong, lightweight and dries quickly
Get an instant air freight quote.
Within ocean freight, you also have two options: FCL and LCL.
•FCL (Full-Container-Load) means that you ‘rent’ an entire container just for yourself. This is recommended only if you have enough merchandise to fill an entire container (upwards of 20 tons)
• LCL (Less-Than-Container-Load) means that you share a container with multiple importers. This is the preferred option for most businesses because it makes ocean freight very cheap and accessible.
Read our full guide on choosing between Air Freight vs Ocean Freight
The final step is to find a freight forwarder who can get your products from your factory to your warehouse quickly, cheaply and safely.
We propose it is not, for multiple reasons:
1. They will have higher rates than freight forwarders
2.They won't have any value-added services, such as helping you with shipping documentation, customs clearance and taxes & duties, or offering free insurance.
But there is hope! Some freight forwarders are modernizing the industry and implementing a customer-centric approach where customers benefit from many value-added services.
Don’t settle for less! A freight forwarder is ultimately a long-term business partner, and it is worth spending the time to find the right one.
If you have further questions about shipping hats from China to the USA, or anything else, feel free to shoot us a message.
A typical New Era visor is 7 3/4 inches in width, while some Chinese caps have a 7 1/4 inch visor.
UPDATED 9/22/19PLEASE NOTE THAT AS OF JUNE, 2019 MADE IN USA ON-FIELD CAPS ARE NO LONGER BEING PRODUCED FOR RETAIL.One discussion that keeps coming up between baseball cap enthusiasts is the difference between New Era's USA-made and Chinese-made caps. The 2011 season saw the majority of all minor league teams wearing on-field caps made in China, and even some major league caps are being made in China, mostly special events caps. Ironically, from 2010 to 2012 the patriotic "stars & stripes" caps were exclusively Chinese-made. After receiving complaints, patriotic caps were made in the USA again starting in 2013. Since 2016, only team issued stars & stripes caps were made in USA. The spring training/batting practice/occasional regular game caps are also being made in China..The differences between USA-made and Chinese-made caps are many. I have been told that New Era has received many complaints about Chinese-made caps regarding quality. I will go over the most noticeable differences and compare photos of USA-made and Chinese-made caps.My example will be the Stockton Ports (Single-A California League Oakland A's affiliate) home cap from the 2011 season. The USA-made cap is my personal cap that I wear, the Chinese-made cap was game used in 2011 by Rashun Dixon, brother of former NFL player Anthony Dixon. Dixon gave it to a boy that I mentor and take with me to games.USA-made cap.Chinese-made cap.The first thing I noticed is the difference in 100% polyester fabric. USA caps have more of a wool feel. Chinese caps feel more like felt or even almost like velvet. Chinese caps also tend to have a larger fit than USA caps. When it comes to the visual differences, the first difference is the size of the crown. The larger crown of the Chinese cap has received many complaints, with some describing them looking like Elmer Fudd's hat. At times they have an onion shape.USA-made on left, Chinese-made cap on right.The next difference is the stitching. Look at the stitching on the visors. USA-made caps have larger holes between the stitches, Chinese caps (usually) have barely noticeable holes. Chinese-made caps also have thicker stitching on the eyelets.USA-made cap stitchingChinese-made cap stitchingNext we have the inside. Although there doesn't look like anything is different, the buckram behind the front panels is much stiffer on Chinese-made caps, almost hard plastic-like. The taping is flatter and not as rippled as USA-made caps, and the silver bottom of the button is flat on Chinese-made caps rather than curved.Inside of the USA-made capInside of the Chinese-made capBehind the sweatband, the white "size strip" that keeps the sweatband and crown connected is different. USA-made caps have had this type of strip since 2007 with the introduction of 100% polyester on-field caps. Chinese-made caps have the crosshatch-patterned strip seen on USA-made caps in 2006 and before.Other differences are that the ends of the sweatbands are sewn together behind the center New Era tag, whereas the Chinese cap sweatbands are attached off-center behind the size tag. The Chinese visors have a strong rubber smell when new and are also much more stiff and tend to crease in places when you attempt to curve it. Some Chinese caps even have visors that are smaller than normal.While on the subject of Chinese caps, I have spoken with the people responsible for ordering Minor League caps about the differences between Chinese and USA made caps. They have said to me that New Era offers incentives to order Chinese-made caps, such as higher quantities for lower prices. However, I've noticed that Minor League teams often get a mix of USA and Chinese stock throughout the season depending on how many caps they order and how soon they need them.How do you feel about Chinese-made on-field caps versus USA-made on-field caps? Can you tell a difference? Is there anything you notice that I didn't mention? Does it matter? I'd love to hear your feedback.