Doing Business
EU Forced Labour Regulation: What Brands Must Prepare
The EU Forced Labour Regulation bans products made with forced labor from the EU market. Who it applies to, how enforcement works, and what to document.
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Articles on Outsourcing & Manufacturing Custom Products
Doing Business
De Minimis Is Gone: What US Importers Pay Now
The US de minimis rule no longer lets shipments under $800 enter duty free. What changed, what low-value imports pay now, and how brands should adjust.
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Apparel Series
CMT vs FPP: The Two Ways Clothing Gets Made
CMT vs FPP clothing manufacturing explained. See how cut-make-trim and full package production differ, and which model fits your brand and order.
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Apparel Series
MOQ Explained: Why the Minimum Is the Fabric Mill’s
Minimum order quantity for clothing is usually set by the fabric mill, not the sewing factory. How MOQs are built and how to get a smaller first run.
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Doing Business
Vietnam Manufacturing: The Cities That Matter
Vietnam manufacturing cities each have their own strengths. This hub maps the main industrial areas, north and south, and what each one is known for making.
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Doing Business
China vs Vietnam vs Bangladesh for Apparel: Which Is Right for Your Brand
China vs Vietnam vs Bangladesh apparel, compared by garment type, order size, fabric source and US or EU destination, with current US tariffs and a pick for each scenario.
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Apparel Series
Supplier Verification in China: License, Chop, Bank Account
Supplier verification in China comes down to three checks: business license, company chop, and bank account name. How to run each one before you pay.
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Doing Business
How to Spot a Bad Sourcing Agent: Red Flags to Check Before You Pay
The sourcing agent red flags to check before you pay anyone. Use them to judge whether an agent is accountable to you or to the factory it works with.
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Electronics Series
UN38.3 Battery Certification for Shipping
UN38.3 certification explained: battery transport tests, test reports and summaries, supplier responsibilities, and how to plan the testing budget.
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Apparel Series
Chinese New Year Shipping Delays: When to Order for Q1 2027
Chinese New Year 2027 falls on 6 February. See when to start production and ship to avoid Chinese New Year shipping delays in Q1.
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