Table of Contents
- Start Your T-shirt Import Business Today
- Understanding T-shirt Quality: The Role of GSM
- Connecting with T-shirt Suppliers in China
- Seamless Payment for Your T-shirt Orders
- Shipping Your T-shirts from China to Your Country
- Avoid Common Pitfalls in T-shirt Importation
- From the Comments: Real Questions, Helpful Clarifications
- Quick Recap and Next Steps
Watch the video: “How to Start a T-shirt Business: Importing T-shirts from China” by the creator on YouTube.
If you’re ready to turn blank tees into a real business, start where successful importers do: with clarity. This video walks through quality (GSM), contacting suppliers, paying safely, and shipping wisely—so you avoid costly surprises. Let’s translate that know-how into a clean, step-by-step plan you can act on today.
What you’ll learn
- How GSM determines T-shirt quality, durability, and feel—and how to ask suppliers the right questions.
- How to contact suppliers on WhatsApp, request catalogs, and confirm MOQ.
- How to pay securely via Alipay or a trusted currency exchanger and confirm receipts.
- Why sea freight usually beats air for apparel and how to share agent details with your supplier.
Start Your T-shirt Import Business Today
Why Import T-shirts? Importing tees gives you access to broader style options, competitive pricing, and scalable quantities. You can test designs quickly and grow into premium materials as you validate your market. Whether you aim to sell blanks or printed/embroidered merch, the process is similar—quality first, then supplier communication, payment, and shipping.
Pro tip: If you plan to add branding later, map your garment quality to your price point from the start; it’s easier to scale when your base tee matches your audience’s expectations. embroidery sewing machine
Top Sourcing Countries for T-shirts The video highlights Turkey, Bangladesh, and China as strong sources, but the tutorial focuses on China for a complete walkthrough. That means you’ll get actionable detail on the steps from first message to paid order and shipment.
Watch out: Not all suppliers serve small volumes. Always ask about Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) early so you don’t waste time.
Understanding T-shirt Quality: The Role of GSM
What is GSM and Why Does It Matter? GSM—Grams per Square Meter—indicates the fabric’s weight and thickness. It’s your best remote proxy for quality, durability, and comfort when you can’t touch the garment. Before you place any order, ask the supplier for the GSM of each tee you’re considering; it sets realistic expectations and prevents disappointment when the parcel lands.
Quick check: If you can’t feel the fabric, insist on GSM plus live photos. Suppliers often share real-time images so you can see collar ribbing, stitch density, and drape. magnetic embroidery hoops
GSM Ranges: Lightweight, Standard, and Premium T-shirts Here’s how the speaker groups GSM ranges in the video: - Lightweight: 120–140 GSM. Often thin and can be see-through; lower perceived quality.
- Standard: 150–160 GSM. Everyday shirts many brands start with.
- Premium: 180–200+ GSM. Thicker, more comfortable, and positioned as top quality.
The key is matching the GSM to your market. If your audience expects heavy, structured tees, start at 180 GSM and above. If you need budget-friendly event tees, 150–160 GSM may be a good baseline.
From the comments: Several viewers thanked the creator for clarifying GSM. That’s a strong signal—understanding GSM is a major unlock when ordering sight unseen.
Connecting with T-shirt Suppliers in China
Initial Contact and Catalog Requests Once you have a supplier’s contact, save the number and reach out via WhatsApp with a polite request for a catalog. A simple opener—“Hello, can I have your catalog?”—works well. Expect either a full catalog or a stream of product photos; both are standard. The video also shows a contact for paid importation training, but make sure you understand which numbers are for training versus supplier ordering.
Pro tip: When you receive product options, shortlist styles by neckline, color range, and fabric composition to stay organized. Keep a running note of model codes and GSM for each pick. brother embroidery machine
Essential Questions to Ask Suppliers (GSM & MOQ) Two essentials: “What is the GSM?” and “What is your MOQ?” Suppliers’ MOQs vary; some accept 10 pieces, others want 100. If you need fewer than their stated MOQ, negotiate respectfully—some will compromise, others won’t. Ask for prices in USD or RMB (Chinese currency), and convert to your local currency to understand landed costs.
Watch out: Don’t contact suppliers if you’re not ready to purchase. The creator is clear—messaging without intent hurts credibility and makes it harder for serious buyers to get responses.
Seamless Payment for Your T-shirt Orders
Understanding Payment Options: Alipay and Exchangers Payment options vary by supplier; many accept Alipay. If you’re able, set up an Alipay account so you can pay directly. Alternatively, use a trusted currency exchanger: you send the local currency equivalent to the exchanger, and they pay the supplier in RMB on your behalf. Always get proof of payment and forward it to your supplier to keep things moving.
Pro tip: If you’re new to Alipay, the creator mentions a tutorial on their channel. A setup guide can save days of trial and error for first-timers.
From the comments: One viewer asked for a “good exchange.” The creator engages but prefers to share details carefully, and in another thread suggests avoiding blanket recommendations because exchangers can be inconsistent. That caution is useful—vet any exchanger through small test transfers first. magnetic embroidery frames
Tips for Safe and Stress-Free Payments
- Confirm the currency early (USD or RMB) and lock the total in writing.
- For exchangers, start with a small test payment to check speed and reliability.
- Share the receipt or transaction ID immediately with your supplier via WhatsApp.
- Keep screenshots of all messages, invoices, and payment proofs.
Shipping Your T-shirts from China to Your Country
Finding a Reliable Shipping Company Before the supplier finishes packing, line up a shipping company that handles China-to-your-country routes. Share the shipping agent’s China address with your supplier, and ask the supplier to send the goods directly there. Keep everyone in a single WhatsApp thread for clear handoffs and confirmations.
Watch out: Don’t wait until after you’ve paid to find a shipping agent. Delays at this step can create storage fees or confusion about where to send goods. magnetic hoop
Choosing the Right Shipping Method (Sea vs. Air) The video recommends sea shipping for apparel due to weight. Air freight is faster but often too costly for bulk T-shirts. If you’re sample-testing just a few pieces, air might be fine. For orders in the dozens and beyond, sea freight often makes the math work—especially when you’re building margin for resale.
Quick check: Confirm with your agent what documents they need (e.g., invoice and packing list) and when they expect handoff from the supplier. This keeps timelines tight and predictable. embroidery machine hoops
Avoid Common Pitfalls in T-shirt Importation
Don’t Waste Supplier’s Time Suppliers deal with a constant stream of inquiries. If you’re not ready to buy, take a beat—do your budgeting and planning first. The creator explicitly calls this out: repeated no-purchase chats make suppliers less responsive to serious buyers.
Be Prepared with Funds and Order Details Know your target GSM, colors, sizes, and quantities. Have your budget and preferred currency ready, and decide your shipping agent in advance. If you can’t meet a supplier’s MOQ, negotiate respectfully and be prepared to adjust your order or find a better fit.
From the Comments: Real Questions, Helpful Clarifications
- WhatsApp contact? A user asked for the creator’s number; no public number was shared in that thread. If you need help, check the video or description for official contacts.
- Currency exchanger recommendation? The creator engages selectively and warns about recommending exchangers broadly—run test transfers and seek local references.
- Shipping agent request? The creator suggests searching locally and avoids direct recommendations due to recurring issues with some agents.
- Product requests (e.g., women’s basics, vintage shirts, baby accessories)? The creator acknowledges these ideas; one reply mentioned 1688 as an option to explore. mighty hoops
Quick Recap and Next Steps - GSM is your non-negotiable question—120–140 (lightweight), 150–160 (standard), 180–200+ (premium).
- Contact suppliers via WhatsApp, request a catalog, and confirm GSM and MOQ early.
- Pay with Alipay or a trusted exchanger; share payment proof immediately.
- Choose sea shipping for bulk apparel; line up your agent before the order is ready.
If you plan to customize your tees later, sketch your production roadmap now. Many apparel startups add prints or embroidery once they validate demand. When you’re ready, stable tools and accessories—like reliable hooping systems—can streamline output and protect garments during stitching. magnetic embroidery hoops for babylock
From idea to inventory, this process is repeatable: learn GSM, ask the right supplier questions, pay securely, and ship smart. Save your notes from this first run—you’ll use them to place faster, more confident orders next time.