Combs Import Guide for Discount Stores: 2026 Guide No.236

For Switzerland, combs are a steady, replenishable line, and getting the sourcing right decides whether the category is profitable or a returns headache. Below is a practical, step-by-step view written for Discount Stores that want fewer rejects and fewer claims.

Finding a Reliable Factory Partner

A factory that can show recent combs export documents and test reports is a safer partner than one that only shows samples. Request the production schedule before you pay the deposit, so you can see where your order sits. Visit or video-audit the line; a five-minute walk-through reveals more than a page of certificates. Ask the factory how many combs lines it runs and whether your order shares a line with another buyer.

Understanding the Cost Structure

Ask for a cost breakdown by component; it turns a price argument into a specification conversation. Ask what the price would be at double the quantity; the answer shows how much of the quote is fixed cost. Freight, duty and inland handling can add more than the factory price difference, so compare landed cost, not FOB. The price of combs breaks down into material, labour, finishing, packing and margin, and only some of those move with volume. Payment terms are part of the price: a discount paid for with a larger deposit is not a discount.

Market Demand and Trends

Order volume for combs typically peaks ahead of the main selling season, so capacity at the better factories is booked out well in advance. Industrial buyers in Switzerland usually qualify a supplier once and then scale volume, which means the first small order carries most of the risk. The strongest combs programmes share one habit: they are planned against a calendar rather than against a departure date. Repeat business in this category goes to the suppliers that hold quality across thousands of units, not the ones that win the first quotation.

Planning the Production Calendar

Standard production for combs runs 30 to 60 days after sample approval, so build the calendar from the approval date. Confirm the packaging materials and the labels before production starts, since late packaging delays the whole line. 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. Book capacity in advance for peak months; a factory that is full in August cannot rescue a late October order.

Packaging and Logistics

Cartons for combs should be specified with board grade, carton size and a drop-test requirement. Bulky items cost more to ship than to make, so agree the packing format and the flat-pack design early. Insist on moisture protection in transit, because damp cartons are a common cause of mould and corrosion claims. Label every carton with the PO number, SKU, colour and quantity so that receiving is quick and accurate.

Inspection Points Buyers Should Book

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. Measure a full sample set against the specification sheet, and record every deviation, however small. Book an in-line inspection at 30 percent completion: that is the cheapest moment to fix a problem. Keep an approved golden sample sealed at the factory and a matching one in your office.

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.