Children quickly leave their wardrobe and shoes, which is why there is a great demand for children’s clothing in China. China is the largest producer and exporter of clothing. In 2017, the value of China’s children’s clothing market was $ 26 billion. Zhili, known as the “city of children’s clothing”, stands out as the main production area of children’s clothing in China. When thinking about importing this type of merchandise, it is advisable to look at the offers of many manufacturers that present their products in the wholesale markets. The meeting with the factory representative can continue to visit the factory. It is also common practice to participate in trade fairs, for example in the vicinity of Shanghai. However, it should be remembered that such visits should not be paid during the most important Chinese holidays, which usually does not fall on the same date every year.
About Zhili
Zhili is located in the Wuxing District of Huzhou City, prefectural level, in Zhejiang Province. Economic reforms in the 1970s enabled a poor village to become a thriving center for the production of children’s clothing, and its GDP reached USD 3 billion in 2017. Huzhou itself is known as the City of Silk and one of the Four Silk Capitals of China. From this region, the imperial family during the Tang dynasty ordered silk for their garments.
Zhili – children’s clothing production area in China
At first, Zhili specialized in embroidery, but in search of more money, many people in the 80s took to sewing clothes. At present, Zhili has a complete children’s clothing industrial chain in China covering design, production, sales, warehousing and logistics. Manufacturers offer clothing from well-known brands and expand their range through e-commerce. Approximately 13,000 companies produce 1.3 billion children’s clothing annually, which is equivalent to more than half of the total production of children’s clothing in China. 7,000 Zhili online stores sell their products to customers around the world.
The most popular place in Zhili where you can buy children’s clothes is Zhili China Children’s Garment Town. The complex, founded in 1983, has a total area of 700,000 square meters. More than 3,500 exhibitors offer a variety of children’s clothing and accessories. It is divided into three areas, and along with children’s clothing you can also find toys and bedding; in total 40,000 product categories are presented. In addition to wholesaling, Zhili China Children’s Garment Town offers services such as space rental for research and development, business, information, etc.
Location: No. 1 Nan, Zhili, Wuxing District, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
Children’s clothing production area in China. Fairs
Although there are no trade fairs organized in Zhili, many of them take place in the vicinity of Shanghai. They stand out:
East China Fair
In more than 126,000 square meters, 6,500 exhibitors offer products for the home and office, gifts, consumer goods and, of course, clothing.
Location: Shanghai New International Exhibition Center (SNIEC), Pudong, Shanghai, China.
The lifestyle show
In an area of 55,000 square meters, products of the lifestyle industry are presented. In addition to products for sports and leisure, clothing for adults and children is covered.
Location: Shanghai New International Exhibition Center (SNIEC), Pudong, Shanghai, China
Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai
A fair dedicated entirely to children’s fashion.
Location: Shanghai National Convention and Exhibition Center (NECC), Qingpu, Shanghai, China
Children’s clothing production region in China. A guide
How to get to Zhili?
1. By plane
The closest airports are in Shanghai (Hongqiao), Hangzhou (Xiaoshan) and Wuxi (Shuofang). The drive from each of the aforementioned airports to Huzhou (including Zhili) takes up to two hours.
2. By train
Traveling by train, including high-speed rail, is a convenient option for traveling between major Chinese cities. Below are the train routes that stop at Huzhou Station in Wuxing. From there, it takes 50 minutes by car to get to Zhili.
Beijing South – 4 to 6 hours – 510 to 860 RMB;
Hangzhou East – 20 to 40 minutes – 22 to 36 RMB;
Wuhan – 4 to 5 hours – 270 to 430 RMB;
Nanjing South – up to 1.5 hours – 70 to 110 RMB;
Shanghai Hongqiao – 2 hours – 110 to 340 RMB;
Xiamen North – 6 to 8 hours – 320 to 510 RMB.
3. By coach
From nearby and larger cities, it is easy to get to Zhili by bus or coach. The trip from Shanghai to Zhili takes up to 2.5 hours and the fare is around 60 RMB. One-way ticket from Hangzhou costs up to RMB 40.
How to get around Zhili (Huzhou)?
As in most cities in China, taxi service is available at a reasonable price. The initial fee is 8 RMB for the first 2.5 km. Each additional kilometer costs 2.5 RMB. For one-way trips of more than 7 km, an empty return fee is added.
Bus routes 40 and 201 operate in Zhili. The cost of a bus ticket starts from 2 RMB. In Huzhou, there are dozens of lines available.
US duty for children’s clothing
When importing goods from China, the need to pay customs duties should be remembered. The tax on children’s clothing does not differ from the tax on adult clothing: it is up to several dozen percent, about 5 to 30%. The same applies to baby clothing rates. For example, the duty rate for a type of skirt (6104.52.00) is 8.3% for both women and girls; of a type of coat for babies (4203.10.40) is 6%. Check customs fees for similar products and important information on importing children’s clothing into China.
If you are interested in other production regions besides the children’s clothing production area in China, please see our posts on this topic.