Knitted Cardigans Import Guide for Retail Chains: 2026 Guide No.867

For South Korea, knitted cardigans are a core cold-weather line, and getting the sourcing right decides whether the season is profitable or painful. It is written for Retail Chains and covers specification, supplier checks, pricing and the paperwork that protects the order.

Fabric and Construction Basics

For knitted cardigans, the construction matters as much as the fabric: watch the rib trims and button attachment. Cheap substitutes usually appear in the lining and the trims, so inspect those areas first. The performance buyers pay for is shape retention, and it comes from the cotton-wool or acrylic blend yarn combined with careful make-up. Specify gram weight, composition and shrinkage tolerance in numbers, not adjectives.

Packaging and Logistics

For a seasonal category, hold a small air-freight allowance back for the fastest-selling colourways. Retail-ready packing removes a handling step at destination and reduces damage claims. Cartons for knitted cardigans should be specified with board grade, carton size and a drop-test requirement.

Quality Control That Prevents Claims

Measure a full size set against the graded spec sheet, and record every deviation, however small. Insist on a pre-shipment inspection against an AQL plan, with the report sent to you before the goods leave. Book an in-line inspection at 30 percent completion: that is the cheapest moment to fix a problem.

Lead Time and Order Planning

Keep a second qualified factory on file, because a single-source season carries avoidable risk. Confirm the trims and the labels before production starts, since late trims delay the whole line, not just your order. Build a buffer of seven to ten days between the ex-factory date and the sailing date for the unexpected. Split large programmes into two or three deliveries so that early stores are fed and later stores are not overstocked.

Where the Price Actually Comes From

The price of knitted cardigans 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. Most price gaps between quotations come from a different material grade or a different lining, not from factory margin. Payment terms are part of the price: a discount paid for with a larger deposit is not a discount.

Compliance, Testing and Sustainability

Chemical and packaging rules differ by market, so confirm the destination requirements before you finalise the packing spec. For South Korea, check the labelling rules on fibre content, care instructions and the country of origin before printing. Sustainability claims must be backed by traceability, so keep certificates for recycled or responsibly sourced material. Animal-derived fill and trims need documentation, and buyers should keep it on file for the season. Ask for social compliance documentation such as a BSCI, Sedex or WRAP audit dated within the last twelve months.

Final Checklist

Agree the spec, approve the sample, book the inspection, lock the packing and prepare the paperwork. Five steps, and the season runs smoothly.