In this guide · 27 practical sections
Minimum order quantities
Under Tuğhan Textile’s standard policy, ready-fabric apparel starts from 150 pieces per model and per colour. A size mix can be agreed within that quantity. Baby and underwear body products start from 1,000 pieces per colour; pet apparel starts from 200 pieces per breed. The product and material specification must be checked before a quantity is accepted.
Custom materials have separate minimums
Custom knitted fabric dyeing can require around 200 kg per colour. Custom woven materials can require around 1,000 metres per colour. The number of finished garments varies with width, gsm, pattern, sizes and waste. Do not convert a mill minimum to a guaranteed garment quantity without a consumption study.
Payment and sampling
Standard payment is 50% deposit on confirmation and 50% before delivery. One sample per model and colour is included after the order is confirmed. Post-sample design changes requiring another sample are charged at unit price × 20. Bespoke niche products may have an order-specific staged payment schedule stated in their offer.
Lead-time basis
Samples are estimated at 7–14 days after order confirmation and complete details, subject to material availability. Bulk production is generally 4–6 weeks on the agreed schedule following approval and readiness of the required inputs. Custom fabric, revisions and transport add time. A requested delivery date is not confirmed until the schedule is accepted.
What changes the price
Fabric cost and consumption, quantities, colour count, seam complexity, decoration, trims, wash, packaging and delivery terms all matter. The calculator is a simplified planning tool in USD, not a binding quote. For a manufacturing offer, send a complete file and quantities; meetings follow file review and pricing acceptance.
Payment method, payment timing and delivery term are separate decisions
A bank transfer describes how money moves. A deposit-and-balance schedule describes when you pay. A letter of credit or documentary collection creates a different documentary payment structure. An Incoterms rule describes delivery responsibilities, costs and risk allocation. Putting “FOB” on a quotation does not establish when payment is due, who owns the goods at every moment or whether a particular quality issue requires a refund. Record these decisions separately in the order documents.
A first-order deposit is a commercial allocation of commitment
Custom materials, patterns, branded accessories and reserved production time can create costs before the finished garments exist. A deposit can help fund that commitment; a buyer’s approval controls help manage what is being committed to. Our standard policy is 50% on confirmation and 50% before delivery, with the exact scope and any product-specific exception stated in the offer. Do not treat a proposed percentage alone as evidence that a supplier is trustworthy or untrustworthy. Assess the counterparty, documentation, product and release conditions together.
Bank transfers need a clear payment record
Confirm the beneficiary, bank routing details, invoice reference, currency and fee allocation before arranging a transfer. Keep the transfer evidence and ask the supplier to confirm receipt against the correct order. A screenshot is not the same as cleared funds. If an intermediary or platform is used, confirm what it actually controls and what dispute or release conditions apply. No payment route eliminates every performance or fraud risk.
Letters of credit: documents matter
A documentary credit involves a bank undertaking governed by its terms and the applicable rules. Payment depends on a complying presentation of the stipulated documents, not on a general assurance that the buyer will like the garments. Review the required documents, latest shipment date, presentation period, expiry, charges and any confirmation with the banks before committing. A document list the seller cannot realistically satisfy can create discrepancies and delay. A credit is not a substitute for agreed product specifications and quality controls.
Documentary collection is not the same as a bank payment guarantee
With documents against payment, documents are released according to collection instructions against payment. With documents against acceptance, release can occur against the buyer’s acceptance of a future-dated payment obligation. Banks facilitate the collection process but do not provide the same undertaking as a documentary credit. The control available through transport documents also depends on the shipment structure. Discuss suitability with the banks and logistics parties rather than assuming that all goods can always be held simply by holding paperwork.
Open account and consignment require a different risk decision
Open account means payment is due after goods are shipped or delivered under the agreed credit terms. Consignment normally links payment to the distributor’s onward sales. These arrangements can expose the seller to substantial payment risk and may require credit assessment, limits, insurance or other agreed support. A startup should not assume that asking confidently will make unsecured terms available. These methods are described for education; their inclusion here is not an offer to provide them for your order.
Compare the landed commitment, not only the factory number
A meaningful comparison needs the same product specification, quantities, delivery point, transport assumptions, payment schedule and exclusions. An EXW unit price and a DAP unit price describe different logistics scopes. Destination import costs, packed dimensions, carrier charges and local delivery can change the total cash required. Request a written breakdown where needed and avoid counting freight twice if the unit price already includes it. The online $9/kg calculation remains a simplified planning assumption, not a live carrier offer.
Agree what triggers the final payment and shipment release
The offer should identify the agreed event for the balance, the inspection or acceptance process, how documented deviations are handled and who authorises shipment. Confirm the quantity tolerance, the final invoice basis and any material changes before release. A bank payment instrument and an agreed inspection can serve different purposes; neither should be described as solving every possible dispute. Keep the final technical revision, commercial confirmation and shipment instructions consistent.
Why 600 pieces in total may not meet the minimum
Minimums can apply per model and colour, with separate mill or trim minimums. Four models in three colours create twelve production lines: 600 pieces spread equally is only 50 per line. Start with the size-colour matrix and ask which lines are viable. The standard ready-fabric apparel starting point here is 150 pieces per model and colour; baby/underwear and pet-product rules differ. Custom fabrics require separate confirmation.
Compare the finished-garment offer and its boundaries
Ask whether the quote includes fabric, cutting, making, trims, decoration, labels, individual packing, development, export handling and freight. A factory may quote a complete garment without disclosing its internal material and labour margins. Compare the same scope and delivery term; do not treat a private cost breakdown as the only sign of transparency. Our free calculator is a planning model, not Tuğhan Textile’s internal costing or a binding quotation.
Custom fabric minimums are not garment minimums
The mill may quote kilograms or metres per colour, while the sewing order is counted in finished pieces. Confirm usable width, consumption, loss allowance and leftover ownership before converting between them. The calculator uses finished garment weight and a fixed fabric-waste assumption for an estimate; it does not generate a cutting-marker plan or guarantee that a mill lot will produce a particular number of garments.
Freight: net garment weight is only the beginning
The planning tool applies $9 per kilogram to finished-product weight. An actual carrier quotation can depend on packed gross weight, dimensions, volumetric charging, destination, service and surcharges. Duties, taxes and clearance are separate unless the written delivery term says otherwise. Obtain carton dimensions and packed weights before treating an estimate as the shipping budget.
A repeat order is a new availability check
Record the approved style revision, fabric and trim references, colour lot and artwork settings for repeatability. Confirm current stock, material continuity, price, minimums and schedule before promising your customers a restock date. Surplus fabric may help only if it exists, is suitable and is allocated to you; it is not a standing guarantee of future supply.
A lower unit price is only the beginning.
Compare three quotes for the same specification, quantity and destination. Put every amount in the selected currency and enter zero only where a cost is confirmed as zero. Unknown charges keep that quote incomplete.
Scenario total = quantity × garment unit price + development + freight + duty/tax + other extras. This does not calculate customs charges or compare quality. Include each charge once; if already included in the unit price, use zero in the extra field and record that in scope. Changing the currency changes the label only — convert your figures first.
International payment methods: what changes and what does not
| Method / structure | Payment trigger | Risk point | What to discuss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance / staged pre-shipment payment | Buyer pays before agreed release stages | Buyer funds commitment before receipt | Verify seller, approvals and milestones; standard here is 50/50 |
| Documentary credit / L/C | Bank undertaking against complying documents | Document, bank and transaction risks remain | Review exact credit, charges and timing with banks |
| D/P collection | Documents released against payment instructions | Banks do not give an L/C-style payment undertaking | Check buyer and control through transport documents |
| D/A collection | Documents released against acceptance for later payment | Goods/documents may be released before cash | Assess credit exposure and collection terms |
| Open account | Payment due after shipment/delivery on agreed credit | Seller extends credit to buyer | Relationship, limits and possible support matter |
| Consignment | Payment generally follows distributor’s onward sale | Seller carries substantial sell-through/payment exposure | Not a standard first-order offer here |
| Third-party escrow | Provider holds funds under agreed release conditions | Protection depends on provider and conditions | Check licensing, fees, inspection and dispute rules |
Not all methods listed are offered for every order. This is an educational comparison. Our standard payment policy is 50% deposit and 50% before delivery unless a written offer states an exception. Payment-provider availability, bank acceptance, charges and transaction conditions need confirmation.
ITA: trade finance guide ↗ · ITA: cash in advance ↗ · ITA: documentary collections ↗ · Türk Eximbank: documentary credits ↗
Original practical guidance. Confirm the current transaction, local requirements and contractual terms with the appropriate professional or authority.Incoterms 2020: compare all 11 delivery rules
A simplified decision reference, not the complete ICC rules or a replacement for the sales contract. Write the selected rule, the precise named place or port and the edition. The delivery/risk point and the destination to which transport is paid can be different.
| Rule | Transport scope | Delivery / risk point — simplified | Main carriage | Customs split — simplified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Any mode | Available at named premises, not loaded | Buyer normally arranges main carriage | Buyer normally handles export and import |
| FCA | Any mode | Carrier handover at named delivery point | Buyer arranges main carriage | Seller export; buyer import |
| CPT | Any mode | Delivery to carrier; freight paid onward | Seller pays to named destination | Seller export; buyer import |
| CIP | Any mode | Carrier delivery; carriage and insurance paid | Seller pays to named destination | Seller export; buyer import |
| DAP | Any mode | Named destination, ready for unloading | Seller arranges carriage to destination | Seller export; buyer import |
| DPU | Any mode | Named destination, unloaded | Seller arranges carriage and unloading | Seller export; buyer import |
| DDP | Any mode | Named destination, ready for unloading | Seller arranges carriage to destination | Seller handles export and import obligations |
| FAS | Sea / inland waterway | Alongside vessel at named shipment port | Buyer arranges main sea carriage | Seller export; buyer import |
| FOB | Sea / inland waterway | On board vessel at shipment port | Buyer arranges main sea carriage | Seller export; buyer import |
| CFR | Sea / inland waterway | On board; sea freight paid onward | Seller pays freight to destination port | Seller export; buyer import |
| CIF | Sea / inland waterway | On board; freight and insurance paid | Seller pays freight to destination port | Seller export; buyer import |
For FCA at the seller’s premises, the loading arrangement differs from delivery at another named location; use the full rule for the actual point. For container or multimodal terminal handover, FCA is generally the relevant discussion rather than casually labelling everything FOB. Only CIF and CIP include seller insurance obligations under these rules, with different default cover levels; confirm the agreed policy. Other rules do not make shipment insurance unnecessary.
Incoterms do not settle every sales issue: payment timing, ownership transfer, detailed product acceptance and dispute handling need their own agreement. For DDP, confirm the seller can perform the destination import and tax obligations. For DAP versus DPU, unloading is a key distinction. Do not select a rule solely because the three letters sound like a cheaper service.
ICC: Incoterms 2020 ↗ · ICC: selection checklist ↗ · ICC Academy: EXW and DDP ↗ · ITA: what Incoterms cover ↗
Original practical guidance. Confirm the current transaction, local requirements and contractual terms with the appropriate professional or authority.Choose the freight route for the actual shipment
| Mode | Typical planning use | Quote details to check |
|---|---|---|
| Express courier | Samples, documents and smaller urgent consignments | Packed dimensions, chargeable weight and destination fees |
| Air cargo | Time-sensitive shipments requiring an air-freight route | Airport/handling costs, customs, final delivery and cut-offs |
| Road freight | Applicable overland routes, including many European deliveries | Collection plan, border process, pallet/carton requirements |
| Sea LCL | Smaller sea shipments sharing container space | Origin/destination handling, consolidation and release charges |
| Sea FCL | Loads suited to a dedicated container arrangement | Load plan, container booking, port timing and demurrage terms |
| Multimodal | A shipment combining transport legs | Handover responsibilities, document consistency and named delivery point |
A factory completion date is not an arrival date. Plan collection, export formalities, the main transport leg, import clearance and final delivery. Request a route-specific current quote using packed dimensions, gross weight, cargo details and the named delivery point. Transit estimates can change and should not be inferred from a general website statement.
Packed weight versus volumetric weight
Volumetric kg = length × width × height × cartons ÷ divisor. The comparison uses the larger of total gross and total volumetric weight before carrier rounding, minimum charges or service-specific rules. This worksheet does not change the garment cost calculator’s net-kg × USD 9 assumption.
Shipment documents: keep the information consistent
| Document / record | Purpose | Check before release |
|---|---|---|
| Proforma / order confirmation | Product and commercial commitment | Scope, quantities, currency, payment and delivery point |
| Commercial invoice | Goods sold and transaction value | Accurate description, seller/buyer and agreed amounts |
| Packing list | Physical shipment breakdown | Cartons, quantities, sizes/colours, dimensions and net/gross weights |
| Transport document | Carrier and shipment information | Correct consignment, parties and document type |
| Origin / customs-status documents | Required origin or eligible status evidence | Applicability to actual goods and route |
| Insurance evidence | Agreed shipment coverage | Insured route, value, cover and claims process |
| Customs declarations / local filings | Required export/import formalities | Responsible party and market-specific requirements |
| Inspection / other agreed certificates | Order-specific evidence where required | Scope, issuer, timing and consistency with payment documents |
The required document set depends on the goods, destination, payment instrument and route. A packing list and invoice should reconcile; a transport document should identify the correct shipment. For eligible EU–Türkiye customs-union trade, an A.TR concerns free-circulation status and is not a certificate of origin. Do not assume it applies to every product, route or destination, and confirm any separate origin or product documentation with the customs parties.
ITA: common export documents ↗ · ITA: shipment-specific documents ↗ · Türkiye Ministry of Trade: origin and A.TR ↗ · Swedish Customs: A.TR status ↗
Original practical guidance. Confirm the current transaction, local requirements and contractual terms with the appropriate professional or authority.Before shipment: 12 questions to close
Plan the number of style-colour commitments.
Assumes the same colour count for every style. Material minimums and product feasibility are separate. Pet apparel minimums are assessed by breed, so are not calculated here.
Compare quotations on the same basis.
| Line to compare | Questions to resolve |
|---|---|
| Product | Same style, file revision, sizes and quantity split? |
| Material | Same composition, construction, gsm, finish and stock/custom basis? |
| Decoration | Same method, dimensions, number of placements and approval trial? |
| Trims | Same labels, closures, elastic, cords, patches and thread requirements? |
| Packaging | Same folding, individual packing, barcodes and carton requirements? |
| Development | Pattern, grading, samples and changes included or separate? |
| Testing / inspection | Same test scope and acceptance process? |
| Delivery | Same currency, named delivery place, freight and exclusions? |
| Payment / timing | Same payment milestones and lead-time starting event? |
Questions, answered
Does 150 pieces mean my total collection quantity?
No. It means per model and per colour for standard ready-fabric apparel, subject to the confirmed product scope.
Is the online calculator a firm production offer?
No. The estimate does not verify fabric consumption, special processing, trims, taxes, duties or packed shipment charges.
Does a shared colour remove different style minimums?
No automatic rule does that. Fabric quantities may be shared where suitable, but cutting and sewing minimums still need style-level review.
Does a larger order always reduce the unit price?
Setup may be spread over more pieces, but fabric, complexity, capacity and delivery requirements still matter. Ask for comparable quantity tiers.
Can I use the $9/kg freight assumption for every country?
No. It is the fixed planning assumption requested for this tool. Actual freight needs a route, packed dimensions, service and current carrier quotation.
Why are duties missing from the calculator?
Destination charges depend on the product classification, origin, market and delivery term. They are not reliably calculated from garment weight alone.
Can a quote be issued before all details are final?
An indicative estimate can state assumptions. A final production offer requires a complete, agreed product scope.
When should I pay the balance?
The standard schedule is 50% deposit and 50% before delivery, unless your written order specifies a product-specific alternative.
Is T/T the same as paying in advance?
No. T/T generally refers to a bank-transfer mechanism; the commercial agreement determines whether it pays a deposit, a pre-shipment balance or a later due amount.
Does FOB specify when I pay?
No. The delivery rule does not set the payment schedule. Agree payment milestones separately.
Does DDP mean that every destination issue disappears?
No. Import clearance, tax handling, importer-of-record arrangements and local feasibility must still be confirmed. The named delivery point and precise scope matter.
Who unloads under DAP and DPU?
DAP delivery is before unloading at the named destination; DPU includes unloading by the seller. The chosen place and practical arrangements must be agreed.
Should I use FOB for an express courier shipment?
FOB is a sea/inland-waterway rule. Choose a rule suited to the actual transport and delivery point; FCA is often relevant to carrier or terminal handover.
Who pays freight under CPT and who bears the risk?
The seller pays carriage to the named destination, while risk generally transfers earlier at delivery to the carrier. Paying freight is not the same as bearing risk until arrival.
Is cargo insurance mandatory under every Incoterms rule?
No. CIF and CIP include seller insurance obligations under the rules; other arrangements need to be considered separately.
What is the key difference between CIF and CIP insurance?
Their default cover requirements differ under Incoterms 2020. Confirm the actual policy, exclusions and agreed coverage with the insurer and logistics parties.
Does a letter of credit guarantee that the garments fit?
No. It is a documentary payment structure. Product fit and quality require their own specification, approval and inspection process.
Do banks guarantee payment in a documentary collection?
Not in the way they undertake payment under a documentary credit. Collection banks act according to collection instructions; assess buyer and transaction risk separately.
What is D/P?
Documents against payment: documents are released under the collection instructions against payment. Confirm whether the shipment and transport documents provide the control you expect.
What is D/A?
Documents against acceptance: release can occur against acceptance of a future payment obligation. Acceptance does not mean the cash has already been received.
Can a new brand expect open-account credit?
Not automatically. The seller may require relationship history, credit assessment, limits or other support. Our standard order policy remains deposit and pre-delivery balance.
Is escrow offered for every order here?
No. Escrow is described as an available market mechanism, not a standard service of this platform. Provider, fees and release conditions would need separate agreement.
What is the difference between gross and volumetric weight?
Gross weight is the packed physical mass. Volumetric weight is calculated from dimensions using the carrier’s divisor. Chargeable weight can depend on the larger figure and carrier rules.
Can I assume the volumetric divisor is always 6,000?
No. It depends on the carrier and service. The worksheet uses an editable example; obtain the divisor and rounding rules from the actual quotation.
Why does the calculator’s freight estimate differ from a forwarder quote?
The base calculator uses net garment kg × USD 9. Actual quotes can use packed or volumetric weight, minimums, route charges, customs handling and other surcharges.
Is A.TR proof that the garment originated in Türkiye?
No. It concerns free-circulation status for eligible EU–Türkiye customs-union trade, not origin certification. Confirm the applicable documents with the customs parties.
Is a packing list a replacement for a commercial invoice?
No. They serve different purposes and should reconcile, including quantities, package details and product descriptions.
Can this guide determine my import duty?
No. Classification, origin, destination, valuation and applicable trade measures must be reviewed for the actual shipment.
Why does the comparison leave an estimate incomplete?
Each cost needs a stated amount, including explicit zero where nothing is due. A blank charge means unknown; the tool does not silently treat it as zero.
Does switching the currency convert the quotes?
No. It changes the comparison currency label. Convert all figures into that currency using your own agreed basis before comparing.
Does the lowest scenario total identify the best supplier?
No. Technical scope, quality responsibility, payment, capacity and evidence must be assessed separately. The tool does not rank or recommend suppliers.
How do I avoid counting freight twice?
If freight is already included in the unit price, enter zero in the separate freight field and record the inclusion in scope. Use the same method for other included charges.
Does this worksheet calculate duties and taxes?
No. Enter your own reviewed estimates for the actual goods, destination and transaction. The worksheet only adds the figures supplied.
Does the comparison include financing or currency risk?
No. Payment timing, FX changes, banking charges and other risks need their own review. Record any relevant exclusions in the scope notes.
Can I combine different models to reach one MOQ?
Do not assume so. The standard apparel minimum applies per model and colour; fabric, trims and specialist products can create separate requirements. Submit the full matrix for review.
Why can the factory quote a garment without revealing its internal fabric margin?
A finished-garment quotation can define an assessable scope without exposing proprietary internal costs. Ask what is included, the material specification, exclusions, payment and delivery terms.
Does the $9/kg calculator include duties and volumetric shipping?
No. It is a fixed planning assumption based on finished garment weight. Actual packed weight, dimensions, carrier charges, duties, taxes and clearance require separate confirmation.
Can an available fabric be guaranteed for my next order?
No. Confirm current availability and allocation again. Keep the material reference and ask about continuity planning before committing to a repeat launch.