Buyers constantly ask what "normal" looks like: normal MOQ, normal fabric weight, normal FOB price, normal lead time. This page collects the numbers we actually work to, plus public duty rates, so you can sanity-check any quote — including ours. Last updated: October 2026.
1. Minimum order quantities (industry-typical)
| Programme | Typical MOQ | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stocked style, stocked colours | 100 pcs per style | Should be mixable across sizes and colours; if not, you are buying dead stock |
| Custom Pantone colourway | 300 pcs per colour | Dye-lot minimums are a real constraint, not a sales tactic |
| Bespoke pattern block (your design) | 300–500 pcs per style | Expect a one-time pattern/tooling cost; ask whether it is credited on volume |
| Custom branding (label, hangtag, bag) | Usually included at 100+ | Tooling charges on woven labels are typically small and one-time |
2. Fabric weight bands (gsm) by category
Weight is the cheapest honest signal a spec sheet can carry. Typical bands we produce to:
| Category | Shell / body fabric | What it means on the dog |
|---|---|---|
| Summer mesh vest | 120–180 gsm | Sun and light wind only; breathability is the feature |
| Fleece / sweater | 260–380 gsm | Dry cold; below 260 gsm is thin for winter retail |
| Quilted jacket | 200–300 gsm shell + 150–250 gsm fill | Cold-dry; the fill matters more than the shell |
| Winter parka | 300–420 gsm shell, taped seams, 2000 mm+ water column | Wet cold; this is the premium shelf |
| Raincoat | 190T–210T pongee or Oxford, PU-coated, taped seams | Rain-first; warmth is not the job |
A supplier who prints gsm at all is usually being honest; a supplier who prints nothing is usually buying cheap. Ask for the number.
3. Indicative FOB unit prices (China origin, Shenzhen)
Our published tiers, which track the current market band for small-to-mid wholesale programmes:
| Category | 100–299 pcs | 1,000+ pcs |
|---|---|---|
| Bandana / simple vest | $3.00 | $2.40–2.60 |
| Fleece, hoodie, sweater | $3.50 | $2.80–3.10 |
| Quilted jacket | $4.00 | $3.20–3.50 |
| Winter parka / puffer | $4.50–5.00 | $3.80–4.20 |
| Taped-seam raincoat | $4.00–4.50 | $3.30–3.80 |
These are FOB Shenzhen reference prices, not quotes — fabric, hardware and certification choices move them. Treat any quote far below this band as a fabric-weight warning.
4. Lead times and freight (from Shenzhen)
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Sample, stocked style | 7 days |
| Tech pack, bespoke design | 8–10 days |
| Prototype | 12–15 days |
| Production | 15–35 days by construction |
| Sea — US West Coast | 12–18 days port + 3–5 inland |
| Sea — US East Coast | 25–35 days port |
| Sea — North Europe | 25–35 days port |
| Air / express | 4–7 days door to door |
Plan retail programmes 3–4 months before shelf date: 1 month sampling/approval, 1–1.5 months production, 1–1.5 months transit and customs.
5. Duty rates (verified October 2026, MFN)
Animal garments — including dog coats — classify under HS 4201.00 ("saddlery and harness for any animal … dog coats and the like, of any material"):
| Destination | Rate on HS 4201.00 |
|---|---|
| European Union | 2.7% |
| United Kingdom | 2.7% |
| United States (MFN) | 2.4–2.8% depending on subheading, plus any applicable Section 301 measures — check current status with your broker |
The classification trap: a knitted dog sweater can be argued into a textile-apparel heading (e.g. 6110) with a materially higher duty than 4201.00. Get the HS code in writing from your supplier on the commercial invoice, and confirm it with your customs broker before the first shipment, not after.
6. What to expect on paperwork
- Commercial invoice + packing list with HS code, per-size quantities and gross/net weights
- Material declaration per style (fibre composition per layer)
- Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill; insurance certificate if CIF
- Test reports on request: REACH SVHC (EU), lead/phthalate on hardware (US), UN38.3 + MSDS for LED/battery SKUs
How to use this page
Send it to your current supplier with your target landed cost and see what comes back. A serious manufacturer will argue with specific numbers; a weak one will just go lower — and that is the most expensive outcome in wholesale.