There are three types of supplier in this market, and knowing which you are talking to changes what you should expect.
| Factory | Trading company | Marketplace seller | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owns machines | Yes | No | Usually no |
| Speaks fluent English | Often not | Yes | Varies |
| Accepts small orders | Rarely | Yes | Yes |
| Handles QC for you | Their own only | Yes | Rarely |
| Takes card payment | Rarely | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | 10,000+ pieces | 250–10,000 pieces | Samples, tiny runs |
For a brand ordering a few hundred to a few thousand labels, a trading company is usually the right partner. You pay a margin over the factory price, and in exchange you get English communication, quality control, consolidated shipping, card payment and someone who is accountable if things go wrong. Going direct to a factory at this volume normally means higher MOQs, wire transfers in RMB and no recourse.
SellerLoop is a trading company. We work directly with audited partner factories, manage production and QC, and ship to you. We are transparent about this because a supplier who pretends to own a factory they do not own will eventually be caught out.
Common payment routes, and what each means for you.
For a first order under about $1,000, pay by card if you can. The 2–3% processing cost is cheap insurance. Whatever the method, get a proforma invoice listing specifications, quantity, unit price, total, shipping terms and lead time before you pay anything.
Labels are small and mistakes are easy to miss until the whole batch is sewn into garments. The checks that matter:
Ask your supplier who performs these checks and whether you receive photos before shipping. If the answer is "the factory checks their own work", you have no independent QC.
Labels are light and small, so express air freight is almost always the right choice — sea freight makes no sense for a few kilos.
| Method | Transit | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DHL / FedEx express | 5–8 days | Almost every label order |
| Postal air mail | 15–30 days | Samples only, no tracking guarantee |
| Sea freight | 30–45 days | Only if consolidating with garments |
On customs: labels are usually classified under HS heading 5807 (woven labels) or 4821 (paper tags). Duty rates are low in most markets, and many countries have a de minimis threshold below which small shipments clear duty-free. Ask your supplier to declare accurately — under-declaring to dodge duty is the buyer's legal risk, not just the seller's.
| Problem | Root cause | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Colour is off | Screen colour approved, not physical | Ask for a physical proof on premium orders |
| Text unreadable | Fine detail at small size | Check the proof at actual size |
| Label folded wrong | Flat artwork sent for a folded label | Confirm fold type in writing |
| Held at customs | Incorrect fibre declaration | Verify percentages with your fabric supplier |
| Arrives late | Ordered after fabric was cut | Order labels first, before assembly |
| Short count | No independent count | Ask for a packing photo before shipment |
On paper yes, in practice usually not for orders under about 10,000 pieces. Factory MOQs are higher, communication is harder, payment is by wire transfer only, and you carry all the QC risk yourself.
Order samples first, check how clearly they answer technical questions, insist on a proforma invoice, and pay by card on the first order. Legitimacy shows in process, not in website claims.
Normally the buyer, unless the quote explicitly says DDP (delivered duty paid). Always ask which term applies before you pay — this is a common source of unexpected cost.
With a reputable supplier they are remade at no charge. Get this commitment in writing before you pay, and keep the approved proof — it is the reference point for any dispute.
Send your specs and we reply with an exact price within 24 hours. MOQ from 250.