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A first-time importer’s guide to working with a garment factory
New to importing garments? Here’s how to communicate with an overseas factory, what MOQ / lead time / payment terms to expect, and how to avoid the common first-timer mistakes.
SR Santosh Rijal
Founder, Trishakti Apparel 2 min read
Founder, Trishakti Apparel 2 min read
Working with an overseas factory for the first time is smoother than it looks — if you know the norms. Here’s what to expect and how to be the kind of buyer factories prioritise.
What to expect on terms
- MOQ — minimum order per style/colour. Low-MOQ factories start around a few hundred pieces.
- Lead time — sampling first (often 1–2 weeks), then bulk (often 4–6 weeks) after approval.
- Payment — commonly a deposit to start and balance against shipping/inspection; L/C for larger orders. Avoid 100% upfront to a stranger.
- Incoterms — EXW/FOB/CIF decide who handles freight (see our Incoterms guide).
How to communicate well
- Be specific — send a tech pack or clear reference, quantities, and target price.
- Respond quickly — factories prioritise responsive buyers.
- Confirm details in writing — spec, price, dates, terms.
- Approve a sample before bulk — always.
Common first-timer mistakes
- Skipping the sample to “save time” — the costliest mistake.
- Ordering too many styles/colours at once (MOQ stacks up fast).
- Ignoring landed cost — duty and freight can dwarf a small unit-price difference.
- Not vetting the factory (see our guide on avoiding scams).
We’re used to guiding first-time importers — clear communication, honest terms, and help at every step. Start with a conversation.
SR
About the author
Santosh Rijal runs Trishakti Apparel, the export knitwear factory his family built on three decades in Nepal’s fashion trade. He writes about sourcing, duty and production from the factory floor in Gaindakot.