Fleece Jackets Import Guide for Wholesalers: 2026 Guide No.865

Every season the fleece jackets category in South Korea moves a little earlier, and the buyers who secure capacity in advance keep their margins intact. This guide for Wholesalers sets out what to check, what to ask and what to document before you place an order.

Choosing the Right Supplier

Check how the factory handles subcontracting, because hidden sub-lines are the most common cause of inconsistent quality. Request the production schedule before you pay the deposit, so you can see where your order sits. Confirm who owns the pattern and the grading, especially if you intend to reorder the same block next season.

Where the Price Actually Comes From

The price of fleece jackets breaks down into material, labour, trims, packing and margin, and only the last of those is negotiable in the short term. Freight, duty and inland handling can add more than the factory price difference, so compare landed cost, not FOB. A small increase in fill weight or yarn count changes the cost meaningfully, so price two specifications side by side. Watch the exchange rate and the raw material index, because both move the cost of fleece jackets during a long season.

Planning the Production Calendar

Keep a second qualified factory on file, because a single-source season carries avoidable risk. Standard production for fleece jackets runs 45 to 70 days after sample approval, so build the calendar from the approval date. Split large programmes into two or three deliveries so that early stores are fed and later stores are not overstocked. Build a buffer of seven to ten days between the ex-factory date and the sailing date for the unexpected.

Materials and Construction

For fleece jackets, the construction matters as much as the fabric: watch the zip quality and hem finish. A good fleece jacket starts with the polar fleece in 200-300 gsm, so agree the material grade before you discuss price. The polar fleece in 200-300 gsm determines most of the comfort and durability, and it is the first item to write into the specification. The performance buyers pay for is breathability and quick drying, and it comes from the polar fleece in 200-300 gsm combined with careful make-up.

Quality Control That Prevents Claims

Insist on a pre-shipment inspection against an AQL plan, with the report sent to you before the goods leave. Agree in writing what happens if the inspection fails, including who pays for rework and re-inspection. Book an in-line inspection at 30 percent completion: that is the cheapest moment to fix a problem. The critical test for fleece jackets is anti-pilling grade, and it should be run on the production batch, not on a golden sample.

Packaging and Logistics

Insist on moisture protection in transit, because damp cartons are a common cause of mould claims in winter shipments. For a seasonal category, hold a small air-freight allowance back for the fastest-selling colourways. Label every carton with the PO number, size, colour and quantity so that receiving is quick and accurate. Plan the sailing, not the shipping date: the production calendar should work backwards from the arrival window.

Five Boxes to Tick Before You Order

If you sign the specification, seal the sample, book the inspection, confirm the packing and file the documents, the order takes care of itself.