A good garment sourcing brief describes the product the customer should receive, not just a style name and target price. Use this checklist to prepare a Bangladesh supplier enquiry and to compare responses for everyday clothing, contemporary collections or South Asian ethnic wear.
This is a purchasing preparation guide. Confirm product safety, labeling, customs and contractual requirements with your appointed specialists for the exact product and destination market.
Define the product and the customer
Start with the intended wearer, retail channel and use. A supplier needs this context to assess the product and quotation.
- Identify the garment category, intended wearer and age group, destination market and sales channel.
- Describe the fit, size range, style references and target price position. State whether you are developing a new design or repeating an approved product.
- For ethnic or occasion wear, specify the silhouette, included pieces, coverage, lining, embroidery or embellishment, and any matching requirements.
- Provide your legal business name, buyer contact and the person authorized to approve samples, changes and orders.
Build one version of the specification
Give each style a reference and revision date. Keep drawings, measurements and approved changes together so quotations refer to the same product.
- Supply a technical pack: drawings or reference photographs, fabric composition, construction, weight and intended finish.
- Include the measurement chart, size grading, measurement method and tolerances; identify the fit sample or reference garment.
- Specify colors, trims, buttons, zippers, labels, artwork, print or embroidery placement, and packaging requirements.
- Mark missing details and acceptable alternatives. Require written approval before a supplier substitutes materials or changes construction.
Break down quantities and the quotation
An order total is only the starting point. Make the style, color and size breakdown visible alongside the price assumptions.
- State the initial quantity by style, color and size. Separate a committed order from an indicative reorder forecast.
- Ask for minimum order quantities by style and color, material minimums, and any small-order or development charges.
- Specify the quotation currency, delivery term and named place or port; ask which packing, testing, freight and other costs are included.
- Request payment terms, sample charges, quotation validity and the events from which production lead time will be measured.
Check the supplier and approve the samples
Assess the actual production site and the proposed product together. A useful sample process ends with a clear record of what was approved.
- Obtain the supplier’s legal name, factory address, contact details and the identity of the site that will produce the order; ask about planned subcontracting.
- Request relevant product experience, current capacity and the records your purchasing policy requires. Verify any certification or audit claim with its issuer and check its scope and date.
- Agree the sample stages needed for this order, such as fabric or color approval, fit, size set and a pre-production sample, with cost and timing for each.
- Record sample comments, revisions and the final approval in writing. Keep an identified reference sample and assign an approver for later changes.
BGMEA provides a searchable member directory. Use directory information as a starting point for checking company details, and assess the specific factory and order independently.
Agree quality and destination-market requirements
Define what will be checked, who will check it, and what happens if the product does not meet the agreed specification.
- Set measurable acceptance criteria for dimensions, workmanship, color consistency, fabric performance and packaging, with the tests and inspection stages your product needs.
- Have your compliance reviewer confirm the applicable labeling, care instructions, safety testing and certification requirements before bulk production.
- Identify who commissions tests, supplies reports, approves labels and releases the order. Confirm that the evidence covers the actual materials and product being purchased.
- Agree inspection access, the reporting process, and how defects, rework or rejected goods will be handled in the commercial agreement.
FTC guidance covers textile fiber content, origin and responsible-business labeling, as well as garment care labels. CPSC guidance addresses apparel flammability and additional requirements for children’s products. Requirements depend on the product; children’s clothing and sleepwear need particular attention.
Work back from the required arrival date
Keep production completion, shipment and delivery to your warehouse as separate milestones, with time for approvals and unresolved dependencies.
- State the required in-warehouse date and destination. Ask for material booking, sample approval, production, inspection and shipment milestones.
- Confirm carton dimensions, packing ratios, carton marks, shipping method and the party arranging freight and insurance.
- Identify the importer of record and customs broker. Have them confirm classification, origin, duties and current entry requirements before relying on a landed-cost estimate.
- Agree the invoice, packing list, transport documents and other product-specific records required, plus an escalation contact for delays or discrepancies.
CBP’s textile importing guidance points buyers to origin, labeling and other agency requirements. Ask your broker to review the complete product and manufacturing details for the shipment.
Before shortlisting
Compare more than the unit price
- Product basis
- Same specification revision, fabric, measurements, trims, labels and packaging.
- Order basis
- Same style, color and size quantities, with minimums and surcharges visible.
- Cost basis
- Same currency, delivery term and named place; identify excluded development, testing, freight and import costs.
- Quality basis
- Agreed samples, tests, inspections, approvals and remedies for nonconforming goods.
- Schedule basis
- Milestones tied to material availability and approvals, with shipment and warehouse arrival shown separately.
Ready to start
Your initial enquiry brief
Use these headings to start the conversation, then agree how to share your specification pack and reference images.
- Business, buyer contact and destination market:
- Garment category, intended wearer and style references:
- Specification pack status and open details:
- Quantity by style, color and size:
- Target price, currency and delivery basis:
- Sample, quality and testing requirements:
- Required arrival date and delivery destination:
- Requested sourcing support and next step:
Discuss your requirement with Fulcrum
Fulcrum connects US retailers, brands and distributors with suitable garment manufacturers in Bangladesh. We identify suitable suppliers, coordinate samples and quotations, and help buyers and manufacturers agree on product specifications, quality expectations and delivery schedules.
Official references
Use the current guidance for your product, operation and destination. These references support the points noted above; they do not replace a transaction-specific review.
- BGMEA — Member search
Manufacturer directory for initial company research.
- FTC — Clothing and Textiles
US textile labeling and care-label guidance.
- CPSC — Clothing guidance
US apparel flammability and children’s product requirements.
- CBP — Regulations for importing textiles
US import considerations and links to origin guidance.