Key Considerations Before Partnering with an Overseas Apparel Manufacturer

The success of your clothing business, if you wish to get your finished products from abroad, will depend on picking the right overseas apparel manufacturer. The market size of the Global Apparel Manufacturing industry is $507.9bn in 2025. Having the right partner means good quality, steady supply, and smooth communication. The wrong choice may lead to delays, losses and buyers shifting to rival companies. When you work with an apparel manufacturer from abroad, you are choosing to rely on someone at a great distance. You cannot physically inspect every order. Hence, you must place all your trust that they will make the correct products and deliver them on time. Whether you are starting a new clothing brand or just looking to expand production, here are some of the key factors to check before closing any deals with manufacturers.

1.    Checking their level of experience and specialisation

Every manufacturer will not have the same production strategy and experience in the industry. Some may specialise in denim, some in activewear, while others in kidswear. When considering a deal with an overseas apparel manufacturer, look for these key indicators

• The number of years they have spent in the business
• The types of products they specialise in
• The quality of their previous work (for this, you may ask for past client testimonials)
• Brands that they have produced apparel for

Most importantly, you must choose a manufacturer who specialises in the kind of clothing you wish to produce, whether particular items like formals and partywear or specific fabrics like denim.

2.    Understand certification and compliance

Good clothing manufacturers ensure that their factories follow global standards of apparel production. Ask to see whether they have certifications like –

• ISO
• WRAP
• BSCI
• Sedex

Having these certifications means that the factories follow safety rules with fair treatment of workers. It also shows that their materials are safe and compliant, which in turn protects the reputation of your business as well.

3.    Check the transparency of pricing.

Just because some B2B clothing manufacturers may be willing to sell their stock at low cost, that does not guarantee good quality. It is always better to pay a standardised price by comparing multiple manufacturers than jump on deals that promise bulk stock at low cost. Aside from that, make sure to check what is included in the package when comparing prices. Some inclusions can be –

• Cost of the fabric used
• Cost of stitching
• Cost of packaging
• Transportation costs
• Taxes or duty

Some factories may initially offer a low cost but add hidden charges later. You should always ask for a full cost sheet so you can know the real price.

4.    Minimum order quantity

Most overseas apparel manufacturers’options have minimum quantity rules for every order. Check if this quantity matches your budget and demand.

In case you are selling apparel just as a startup, you can begin by choosing manufacturers who accept small or flexible minimum quantities for orders.

5.    Quality control

Your final product must match your idea and designs. Hence, it is very important to ensure that your apparel manufacturer in Jordan conducts quality checks of their products. You should confirm whether –

• They use a proper inspection team
• They send samples before production in bulk starts
• They conduct testing for colour, strength of the fabric, stitching and other important parameters

Reliable factories will share photos and videos of their production process. This reduces risk and surprise drawbacks when the products reach the seller.

6.    Communication and responsiveness

When you are working with an overseas apparel manufacturer,communication is very important to ensure that every stage of production is correctly executed. You should thus choose a factory that responds fast and clearly. You should follow up every stage in production with questions like –

• What is the duration of production
• Who is the main point of contact in case further details are needed
• How often will they update you

If you see that communication is slow with production updates since the very beginning, it is very likely that it will be slower once production properly starts.

7.    Visit or Request a Virtual Tour

If possible, you can visit the factory of your apparel manufacturer in Jordan to get at least one physical inspection done, in case you are not totally satisfied with the communication. But if it is not at all possible to visit, then ask whether they can provide virtual tour videos, photos of machines, photos of workers during production and inventory areas.

If they can provide these, it proves that they are professional. Many brands will choose an apparel manufacturer that has modern factories and offers quality control measures, which makes communication easier.

Summing Up

Picking the right overseas apparel manufacturer for your clothing business is not just about ensuring supplies. When you choose a manufacturer, you are entering into a long-term partnership with a supplier on whom the growth of your business and customer satisfaction depend. You should always check how much experience they have, the quality of production, communication and delivery. This reduces risk and helps to protect the reputation of your business.