Is clothing production in China cheaper?
At production level, yes: 30 to 50%. A hoodie that costs €26 in the Netherlands costs €14 to €18 in China.
Importing does add to that: on average 12% import duty on clothing, 21% VAT on import, shipping of €3 to €5 per piece and the risk of quality deviations. Net, a price difference of 15 to 25% compared with European production often remains.
Within the EU, import duties and import VAT do not apply, and your shipment goes straight to your warehouse. From China, customs inspection alone takes five to fifteen working days.
Is clothing from China lower in quality?
Not necessarily, but the spread is wide. Top factories make clothing for the biggest sports and luxury brands in the world, factories at the bottom end deliver variable quality. Without your own people on the ground, quality control is difficult.
In Europe the spread is narrower. Many manufacturers there have worked for European fashion brands for decades and know the quality expectations.
What is the minimum order in China?
As standard, 300 to 1,000 pieces per style per colour. You only find smaller batches at trading companies, at a higher unit price.
In Europe, 50 to 200 pieces per style is very achievable, and that suits small brands and test drops. At MakeaLabel you start from 10 pieces per style.
How long does production take in China and Europe?
In China production takes 45 to 90 days, plus 30 to 45 days of sea freight, or 5 to 10 days of air freight at a much higher rate. Count on three to four months in total.
With our European production it is at least five to six weeks after payment plus about a week of delivery, depending on the style and the run size. That makes Europe a much better fit for quick repeat orders after a sales success.
How does communicating with a Chinese factory work?
You work with a six to seven hour time difference, a language barrier and a different feedback style. That goes well if you have an agent or speak Chinese yourself.
In Europe you are in the same time zone, you usually speak fluent English and you communicate directly. Feedback on a sample can be wrapped up within 24 hours.
Is producing in Europe more sustainable?
Usually, yes. Europe has stricter labour laws, more transparent supply chains and a smaller CO2 footprint from transport. If sustainability is a core value of your brand, Europe is the logical choice.
Sustainable production is possible in China too, but it requires strict audits, for example BSCI or Sedex. Many factories work properly; transparency is just harder to guarantee from 8,000 kilometres away.
When do you choose China?
- You order from 500 pieces per style.
- Price is the deciding factor.
- You have an agent or your own experience with Chinese production.
- Your product has a complex construction, such as technical outerwear with a lot of hardware.
- You have time: a lead time of three to four months is not a problem.
When do you choose Europe?
- You are starting a brand or making a small drop of 50 to 300 pieces.
- Speed and repeat orders matter.
- Sustainability is a brand value.
- You want to communicate directly and sample quickly.
- You want to be able to visit the factory.
Are there clothing factories in the Netherlands?
Yes, but Dutch workshops are small, work with a high unit price and usually have minimums of 50 to 200 pieces per style. For a first style you want to test, that is rarely the logical step.
We solve that differently: Dutch management and Dutch points of contact, with our own workshop in Turkey. You talk to a Dutch team in your own time zone, you get Dutch quotes and invoices, and you produce from 10 pieces per style. Popping over to the factory is not an option; your sample is the moment you judge everything in real life.
Which production country suits your clothing?
In practice you do not choose between China and the Netherlands. We make small runs and most productions in our own workshop in Turkey, with no agents or traders in between; for other products we also work in China, Bangladesh, Italy and Portugal on request. So the real question is: which country suits this style, this run size and this deadline?
Many established brands combine: premium products such as heavy hoodies and jackets in Europe, basics in Asia. That way you steer on both price and quality. We advise on this per country.
- Turkey: our own workshop, a family workshop, and the best balance between quality, price and speed. This is also where we make the small runs from 10 pieces. Strong in jersey, fleece, french terry and cotton twill, so in t-shirts, hoodies, crewnecks, joggers, coach jackets and complete sets. Lead time at least 5 to 6 weeks after payment.
- Italy, on request: for high-end finishing and materials that are hard to get elsewhere, such as garment-dye, loopback constructions, wool melton and luxury linings. The choice for boutique drops and tailoring, with a longer lead time.
- Portugal, on request: European production with short lines to the Netherlands and delivery without import duties or import VAT. Strong in GOTS cotton and premium runs; audit reports such as BSCI are available per production on request.
- China, on request: for large runs and products that are technically too complex for the other three: puffers with down or synthetic fill, waterproof shells, all-over prints, multicolour embroidery, double labels and custom trims. We work exclusively with verified factories and plan these productions in consultation.
