What certifications do I need to export jewelry to the US?
Answered
Is it just FTC labeling or are there safety tests too?
Sample fees vary wildly: 50-300 dollars per design. CAD design: 30-80. Physical sample casting: 50-150. Shipping: 20-50. Many factories refund the sample fee when you place a bulk order. Get this in writing before paying.
How to spot a real factory vs a trading company on Alibaba: ask for video of the workshop, ask for MOQ, ask if they do in-house casting. Real factories quote 100-500 MOQ and have equipment photos. Traders quote 50 MOQ and cannot answer technical questions. Order a small trial batch first.
Standard lead time: 3-6 weeks after sample approval. 1-2 weeks for sampling, 2-4 weeks for production. Add 1-2 weeks for shipping. If you need 300 rings by October, lock the order by August. Chinese New Year and golden week add 2 weeks.