How to Import Sunglasses from China: A Buyer's Guide
China supplies the majority of the world's sunglasses, and buying direct is the fastest way to lift your margin. But importing means navigating MOQs, customs and shipping terms. This guide walks through each step so your first container — or first mixed carton — arrives without surprises.
1. Start with a low MOQ, not a container
Traditional factories push 300–1,000 pieces per style. That ties up cash in untested designs. A supplier offering MOQ 12 pairs per color lets you launch 20 shapes with one small order, learn what sells, then reorder. Fis Optical's ships mixed styles from 12 pairs/color, dispatched within 48 hours.
2. Know the customs basics (HS code 9004)
Sunglasses classify under HS 9004.10 in most countries. Duties vary: the US imposes around 2.5% + any Section 301 tariffs in force; the EU applies roughly 3% plus VAT; many Latin American markets sit higher. Budget duty into your landed cost from day one — and ask your supplier for the correct declared value and description to avoid clearance delays.
Documents you'll need
- Commercial invoice & packing list
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- CE (EU) or FDA (US) compliance where required
- UV400 test report for lens claims
3. Choose the right Incoterm
The Incoterm decides who pays freight and duty. EXW is cheapest at the factory gate but you arrange everything. FOB is the importer-friendly standard — the supplier gets goods on the ship. DDP means the supplier delivers to your door with duties paid, removing the biggest first-time surprise: the customs bill. See our Incoterms explainer for a full comparison.
4. Verify certifications before you pay
For sunglasses, the non-negotiables are UV400 lens protection and the market's marking rules (CE for Europe, FDA for the US). Ask for batch-level test reports and cross-check the certificate number. Our certifications guide shows exactly what to request.
5. Plan lead time around production + shipping
Ready-stock models dispatch in 48 hours; custom or private-label production runs 15–25 days; international delivery adds 7–12 days (air) or 25–40 days (sea). Build your reorder point on the production + transit window, not the dispatch date alone. Read our shipping & delivery page for typical timelines.
6. Sample before you scale
Order a mixed sample carton first. Check hinge quality, lens coating, and color accuracy under real light. Only then commit to a larger PO. A good supplier will happily send samples and answer technical questions — if they won't, that's your answer.