1. Know what Bangladesh does best
Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest garment exporters, second only to China. Its strengths are knitwear (T-shirts, polos, hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers), sweaters, denim, basics and volume programmes for retailers. Fashion wovens, outerwear and sportswear are widely made too. Matching your range to these strengths gives you the best prices and the most factory options.
2. Prepare a clear brief
Factories quote faster and more accurately when the brief is complete. Include:
- Tech packs or reference samples with measurements and construction details.
- Fabric: composition, construction (single jersey, pique, fleece, rib, twill…) and target GSM.
- Quantities per style and colour, and your target price.
- Delivery window and destination port or warehouse.
- Compliance requirements: your code of conduct, required audits and certifications (for example OEKO-TEX, GOTS or GRS for materials).
3. Choose how to work: direct factory or buying house
You can contract a factory directly or work through a buying house that manages several factories for you. Direct suits large, steady programmes with your own team on the ground; a buying house suits brands that want one counterpart for several product types, factory vetting, sampling and quality control. Our guide Buying house vs direct factory compares the two.
4. Sampling
Expect a sequence of proto, fit and pre-production (PP) samples, plus lab dips for colour. Keep every comment in one place and approve the PP sample before bulk fabric is cut. Sampling speed depends on the style; at Inara our team develops around 20 new styles a day.
5. Agree price, MOQ and a time-and-action calendar
Minimum order quantities depend on the factory, fabric and dye lots — see MOQ and lead times in Bangladesh. Once the price is agreed, ask for a time-and-action (T&A) calendar that sets dates for fabric, sampling approvals, production stages, inspection and shipment, so delays surface early.
6. Production follow-up and quality control
Good programmes check quality while the order is being made, not only at the end: fabric inspection, inline checks on the sewing lines, and a final random inspection against an agreed acceptable quality level (AQL) before shipment.
7. Compliance
UK, US and EU buyers usually require social audits (such as amfori BSCI, Sedex SMETA or WRAP) and building and fire safety standards, plus product certifications for materials. Share your requirements at the brief stage so the order goes only to factories that meet them.
8. Shipping and duties
Most orders ship by sea from Chattogram; urgent replenishment can fly from Dhaka. Agree the trade term (for example FOB) in the contract. Bangladesh currently exports to the EU duty-free under Everything But Arms and to the UK under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme; US imports pay standard duties. Bangladesh is scheduled to graduate from Least Developed Country status with transition periods, so check current terms with your customs broker.
Checklist
- Complete tech packs, fabric details and target GSM
- Quantities, target price and delivery window
- Compliance and certification requirements
- Approved PP sample before bulk
- Signed price, MOQ and T&A calendar
- Inline and final inspection plan
- Trade term, forwarder and customs broker