Macgi
Start with a sourcing plan, not a supplier search
Before contacting factories, know what you are trying to buy. A small shop should define:
- the product type and fabric,
- the customer and price point,
- how many sizes and colors you want,
- the maximum cost per unit you can afford,
- how you will handle returns if a batch arrives off-spec.
This matters because Chinese suppliers range from tiny trading stalls to large export factories. Some are good for ready-made fashion, some for made-to-order basics. The more specific you are, the easier it is to compare quotes.
If you are still deciding between domestic wholesale, local resellers, and sourcing directly from China, see this guide on where to buy wholesale clothing to resell in a small shop.
The channels small shops actually use
Guangzhou and other wholesale markets
Guangzhou is a common starting point for small fashion shops. The main strengths are fast fashion, dresses, denim, knitwear and accessories. In the market, you can touch fabric, check stitching, compare colors and buy ready stock.
The trade-off is consistency. A stall may have the same dress next week, but not always in the same quality, dye lot or sizing. If you visit in person, ask whether the price is for a sample, a mixed batch, or a full pack. Mixed small orders usually cost more per piece than a full size run.
Online B2B platforms
Many shops start on Alibaba.com or 1688.com. Alibaba is aimed more at international buyers and usually offers buyer protection and easier search in English. 1688 is China-focused, often cheaper, but usually requires Chinese language ability or an agent to buy, inspect and forward goods.
Other platforms such as Made-in-China and Global Sources can work for apparel, but the same rule applies everywhere: the supplier’s photos are marketing, not evidence. A verified badge does not mean the product will fit your customers.
Sourcing agents and freight forwarders
If you cannot visit China, a sourcing agent in Guangzhou or Shenzhen can:
- find suppliers,
- negotiate small-batch pricing,
- inspect samples,
- send photos and videos,
- consolidate orders from several factories,
- arrange shipping.
A freight forwarder handles transport and customs. Some agents do both. Agree on fees before ordering: some charge per order, some charge a percentage, and some include inspection but not shipping.
Photo: Arina Krasnikova / Pexels
Chinese sizing runs small: re-measure everything
Chinese size charts often run smaller than what Western shoppers expect from the same label. A supplier’s “L” may fit more like a small or medium in your market. Treat “Chinese size”, “Asian size” or “runs small” as a warning, not an afterthought.
Do not copy the supplier’s size chart onto your product page. Instead, build your own chart from actual garment measurements.
For each size, request:
- bust or chest,
- waist,
- hip,
- shoulder width,
- sleeve length,
- garment length,
- thigh and inseam for pants.
Ask whether the numbers are body measurements or flat garment measurements. The difference matters. A flat garment bust of 90 cm is not the same as a body bust of 90 cm once the garment has ease, stretch or lining.
Also ask for photos of the garment being measured with a ruler on a flat surface. This is more reliable than a typed table. If the supplier refuses measurement photos, treat that as a risk.
For example, if a supplier’s XL has a flat bust of 96 cm and your existing XL measures 104 cm, your regular XL customers will feel the fit has changed even if both say “XL”.
Use one consistent measuring method across all products. The process in how to measure clothes for a size chart works well for this. For dresses, compare against a practical dress size chart rather than relying on letter sizes alone.
Sampling and quality control before you list
Before ordering bulk
Always order a sample first. This applies even when the supplier says the item is “ready stock”. One unit is cheap insurance compared with a batch that arrives too small, too shiny, too thin or with weak seams.
For the sample, ask for:
- the exact color, size and fabric you plan to sell,
- the same buttons, zippers, lining and labels,
- production quality rather than a photo-sample quality version,
- a second size if your budget allows, such as the smallest and largest size.
When the sample arrives, test it like a customer. Try it on a person, take measurements, wash it if the care label allows, and measure again. Check for shrinkage, twisting, color bleed and loose threads.
QC checklist on arrival
Before listing the product, open and inspect the shipment. Check every size and every color if possible, or at least a random mix.
A basic garment QC list:
- measurements match your approved sample,
- color matches the approved sample,
- fabric weight and stretch feel right,
- seams are straight and not pulling open,
- hems are even,
- buttons, zippers and hooks work,
- no stains, odor, holes or snags,
- care labels and fiber content are present,
- packaging is clean enough for resale.
Photograph defects. Send the photos to the supplier with the style, size, color and quantity. Agree on a fix before listing: replacement, refund, credit on the next order, or a discount if the defect is minor enough to sell with disclosure.
Photo: Nataliya Vaitkevich / Pexels
Shipping and customs in plain terms
Small shops usually start with express courier or air freight, then move to sea or rail as order volume grows. Express is faster but expensive for bulk. Sea freight is cheaper per unit but slower and more paperwork-heavy.
Learn the basic Incoterms before comparing quotes:
- EXW: you pay everything from the factory door.
- FOB: the supplier gets the goods to the port or airport.
- CIF: cost, insurance and freight are included to the destination port.
- DDP: the seller handles delivery and import duties, which gives you a more predictable landed cost.
For very small test orders, asking for DDP can reduce surprise charges. For larger orders, you may prefer FOB and your own forwarder.
Customs depends on your country and the product’s value, fabric and origin. You usually need a commercial invoice, packing list, and sometimes a certificate of origin. If you import into Vietnam, there may be preferential rates under regional trade agreements, but the rates and required forms change. Check the current official tariff schedule or ask a customs broker before ordering.
Do not under-declare the invoice value to save duty. It can delay clearance, trigger fines or cause problems if you need to return or insure the goods.
From approved sample to product page
Once you know the real measurements, convert them into a size chart your customers can actually use.
On Shopify, open the product in the admin, add size and color as variant options, and separate sizes into variants. Add the measurement table to the product description or use a theme block, collapsible row or metafield for a size chart. Test it on mobile because most shoppers will view it there.
On WooCommerce, create attributes for size and color, then create variations from those attributes. Use a size chart plugin or add a tab to the product page through your theme. Keep the measurement table in the product description as a fallback.
On Haravan or Sapo in Vietnam, add size and color attributes in the product editor. Many stores put a clear size chart image or table in the product description or use a product tab if the theme supports it. Make sure the chart labels match the variant names exactly, such as S, M, L or the Vietnamese size names you use.
If you sell on more than one platform, use the same size chart everywhere. A customer who sees 96 cm on one page and “XL” on another will hesitate.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Copying the supplier’s size chart without measuring.
- Ordering 100 pieces before seeing one sample.
- Assuming “M” means the same as your current M.
- Forgetting to include shipping, customs and agent fees in the landed cost.
- Listing a product before inspecting the actual batch.
- Using supplier photos without comparing them to the physical color and fabric.
Once the stock is approved and listed, the next problem is usually fit confidence. A virtual try-on button next to the Add to cart button can let shoppers see themselves wearing the item before they buy. Macgi’s widget uses your existing product photos, takes one full-body photo from the shopper, and deletes results after 24 hours. If you want to test it on your store, sign up for the free Macgi beta.
FAQ
How do I find reliable clothing suppliers in Guangzhou if I cannot visit?
Use a local sourcing agent. Ask them to visit the market, inspect the physical items, send measurement photos and arrange samples. A good agent reduces the risk of buying from photos alone.
Is 1688 or Alibaba better for a small shop?
Alibaba is easier for international buyers and often friendlier for small orders. 1688 can be cheaper but is China-focused, so you usually need a sourcing agent or freight forwarder to buy, consolidate and inspect.
How much should I order for the first test?
Start with one sample in the size you understand best. If the sample passes, order a small mixed batch with at least one piece in each size and color you plan to sell. Minimum order quantities vary, and smaller quantities usually mean a higher cost per piece.
Do I need a business license to import from China?
It depends on your country. Many places allow individuals to import small personal-use parcels, but a business importing for resale usually needs a tax ID or business registration. Check with your customs broker or current official government guidance.
How long does sample shipping take?
It depends on the method. Courier samples may take days to a couple of weeks. Air freight and sea freight take longer. If you are sampling several suppliers at once, ask each one for the expected dispatch date and tracking number.
