Clothing Manufacturing for Irish Fashion Brands

A practical starting point for a production project

A production brief is easier to assess when the garment, quantity, material choices and delivery point are clearly described. Fenalt coordinates clothing manufacturing through a managed production process. Depending on the project, the work may include a technical review of the tech pack, material sourcing, pattern and sample development, bulk-production coordination, quality inspection and export planning.

This guide is for brands and procurement teams in Ireland considering a new collection, repeat order or product extension. It outlines what helps scope production and what to prepare when goods will be imported into Ireland from outside the European Union. It is not a customs ruling, legal opinion or final price quotation.

Fenalt's managed production workflow

Fenalt coordinates a project against the specification the buyer approves. A typical sequence is:

1. 1

   Brief and specification review.

   Product details, quantity and open technical questions are reviewed. Missing measurements, construction details or material choices are recorded.

2. 2

   Material and development planning.

   Material sourcing, pattern work or other development steps are scoped for the specific product. Availability and suitability need confirmation for the chosen fabric, colour, finish and quantity.

3. 3

   Sampling.

   A sample is prepared for review against the project brief. Consolidate feedback on fit, measurements, construction and appearance so the next revision addresses the actual changes.

4. 4

   Pre-production approval.

   The buyer confirms the sample and specification before bulk production starts. Changes after approval can affect material, cost or timing and should be documented.

5. 5

   Bulk production and quality review.

   Production follows the approved specification and agreed quality plan. Inspection criteria should fit the garment; a sampling standard is not a promise of zero defects.

6. 6

   Export and delivery planning.

   The route, handover point, documents and import responsibilities are agreed for the order.

Fenalt's current operating facts give planning references of 10–15 days for sample production, plus 3–5 days for shipping. Bulk production takes 15–20 days from pre-production sample sign-off to export dispatch. Confirm timing in the project quotation and production plan. These intervals exclude buyer review, unresolved material choices, customs processing and onward delivery after export dispatch.

Importing apparel into Ireland

Irish Revenue explains that businesses moving goods to or from a country outside the EU must register for Customs and submit customs declarations, either directly or through an agent. Revenue identifies the commodity code as product-specific information used to determine applicable customs duties. Before shipment, the Irish importer and its customs representative should establish who is filing the declaration and what information is needed.

Prepare a precise product description, construction, fibre composition, material details, intended use and available origin information. Keep the description consistent in the tech pack, commercial invoice, packing information and freight instructions. Customs may request supporting documents such as a commercial invoice, bill of lading or airway bill, packing list, or a document required for a specific product.

Do not infer a tariff from a broad garment name. Check the current EU tariff and import measures for the correct product code, origin and import date. Preferential treatment also requires the product to satisfy the applicable origin rule and the importer to hold the required proof. Dispatching a garment from a country does not by itself establish preferential origin. This draft gives no duty percentage or preference promise.

For an Irish customs movement involving a non-EU country, Revenue's current guidance describes the EORI registration process. Confirm that the importer has the correct customs registration and that the person or broker lodging the declaration has the required authority and information. VAT, duties, customs-agent charges and other import costs should be checked for the specific transaction and agreed delivery point.

Shipping terms and import-cost planning

Fenalt's approved operating facts describe DAP for small-batch courier shipments and FOB Chattogram for bulk sea freight. Route and terms depend on production origin, destination, shipment size and the agreed Incoterm. These are project starting points, not a universal delivery promise.

The quotation should name the delivery point or port and state who is responsible for transport, export documents, insurance, customs clearance, duty and tax. Confirm how import costs are handled before comparing offers. The named point and cost allocation should be the same basis for each comparison. Ireland uses the euro, but Fenalt quote currency and payment terms are not fixed by the country. Ask that the quote currency, payment schedule and any milestones be stated in the written offer for the specific project.

Plan the factory schedule separately from buyer approvals, material availability, customs processing and carrier transit. Confirm sample review dates, approval deadlines, bulk production, dispatch readiness and the carrier's estimate for the actual origin, destination and booking period. A production interval does not equal a delivery date in Ireland.

Start a scoped project discussion

Share the garment category, available tech pack, quantities and intended delivery point through Fenalt's project intake. Mark unresolved decisions about measurements, material, labels and importing. Fenalt can then assess the manufacturing scope and identify the information still needed for a project-specific plan.

An initial discussion is not a final quotation, customs decision or legal approval.

Next steps: Review Fenalt's capabilities · Read about the process · Start a project brief