The Ultimate Checklist for Clothing Brands Considering Manufacturing Outside of China
Thinking about moving production outside of China? You’re not alone.
Tariffs, lead times, and global instability have forced brands to rethink their supply chains but moving production isn’t just a location change. It is a full operational rebuild.
This checklist is your readiness scorecard.
If you cannot check these boxes, you are not moving your production. You are starting over.
1. Tech Pack Readiness
A complete tech pack includes:
- Flat technical sketches
- Measurement tables for all sizes
- Construction and seam details
- Print, label, and embroidery placements
- Artwork Files
- Finishing specs (e.g. garment wash, softener, enzyme)
Why it matters:
Factories outside China expect documentation. No tech pack means no consistent product.
2. Bill of Materials (BOM)
You should have:
- A list of every component including fabric, trims, labels, packaging
- Country of origin and supplier for each
- Unit cost and quantity per product
- Minimum order quantity (MOQ) for each item
Why it matters:
Without a BOM, you are relying on your factory to remember the product for you. That is not control.
“100% cotton, 250 GSM” is not a fabric. It’s a composition and a weight, but it tells you almost nothing about how that fabric actually looks, feels, or performs.
100% cotton just means the fiber content: the raw material.
250 GSM means the fabric weighs 250 grams per square meter.
- Is it jersey knit or french terry?
- Is it brushed or loopback?
- Is it compact spun, open-end, slub, ribbed, fleece, or pique?
- What’s the yarn count, finish, or shrinkage?
Two fabrics can both be “100% cotton / 250 GSM”
3. Pattern, Grading, and Marker Files
Make sure you have:
- Digital base patterns in factory-compatible formats
- Graded size sets
- Marker files for fabric cutting
Why it matters:
Your previous factory may not release these files. Without them, your fit will change or you will need to pay to recreate the patterns from scratch.
4. Sourcing Plan
You need to know:
- Who supplies your fabric, and if it is available locally
- Where to source trims such as zippers, cords, buttons, and thread
- Who supplies your labels and packaging
- Which components need to be imported from China once you move production
Why it matters:
In China, your factory likely sourced everything. In other countries, you are the sourcing team.
5. MOQ and Cost Realities
Have you confirmed:
- MOQs for fabric, trims, and full production
- Updated per-unit cost
- Additional tooling or sampling fees
- Shipping costs and availability
- Who handles shipping?
- New tariffs and import duties for your destination market
Why it matters:
China is unique in its flexibility and speed. Do not assume the same terms exist elsewhere.
6. Lead Time and Factory Capacity
Make sure you know:
- Development and production timelines
- Your factory’s communication standards and process
- Potential holiday shutdowns or seasonal backlogs
- Who is responsible for delays or miscommunication
Why it matters:
Timelines are typically much longer outside China.
7. Strategic Reasoning
Ask yourself:
- Why are we moving production?
- Is this decision based on strategy or stress?
- Are we operationally ready to manage a more complex production setup?
Why it matters:
If you do not know why you are moving, you will not know what success looks like after the move.
Final Check. Are You Ready?
Score yourself 1 through 10 on each of the following:
- Tech pack completeness
- BOM clarity and ownership
- Fabric and component sourcing
- Understanding of cost and MOQ shifts
- Awareness of production timelines
- Operational capacity to manage multiple vendors
If you are under 8 in any category, you may not be ready to move production yet.
Need Help? Let’s Talk.
At Uniway Sourcing, we help brands scale manufacturing across Asia. Our team works directly with founders, owners, product developers, and sourcing managers to build long-term, resilient production systems.
Whether you are exploring new options or actively shifting production, we can help you avoid costly mistakes and move with clarity.
Book a consultation:
https://calendly.com/uniwaysourcing/consultation