What Should Be Included in an Apparel Manufacturing Quote?
A technical guide to reviewing garment FOB quotes - auditing fabric yields, CMT labor, decoration surcharges, packaging, Incoterms, and payment milestones.
General industry knowledge • Reviewed by Fenalt editorial team
A professional apparel quote must be fully itemized down to fabric yield, CMT labor, and shipping terms.
Evaluating factory pricing requires looking beyond the bottom-line unit cost. A comprehensive manufacturer quote transparently itemizes primary fabric consumption, trims, decoration setups, cut-make-trim labor, export packaging, and Incoterms shipping conditions - empowering brand founders to make informed financial decisions.
Quote Checklist
6 Mandatory Components of a Manufacturing Quote
1. Fabric Consumption & Yield Breakdown
Detailed line-item pricing showing primary fabric cost per meter/kg, secondary lining fabric, GSM weight assumptions, and estimated fabric consumption yield per garment.
2. Trims, Labels & Packaging Itemization
Itemized costs for woven neck labels, care tags, custom zippers, hood drawstrings, metal aglets, individual polybags, and export master shipping cartons.
3. Cut-Make-Trim (CMT) Labor & Decoration Fees
Separated line-sewing assembly labor costs, plus specific decoration charges (screen printing setup fees per color, 3D puff print surcharges, or embroidery stitch counts).
4. Pre-Production Sampling & Screen Setup Fees
Transparent sampling fees (proto samples, fit revisions, photo samples) and screen preparation fees, detailing which fees are refundable against bulk production orders.
5. Incoterms Shipping Terms & Delivery Port
Explicit Incoterms definition (e.g. FOB Chittagong, EXW Factory, or DDP Destination Warehouse) defining exact transport responsibility boundaries.
6. Payment Milestones & Commercial Validity Window
Clear commercial payment terms (e.g. 30% deposit upon PO / 70% balance upon passed AQL 2.5 FRI inspection) and quote price validity expiration windows (30 days).
Cost Breakdown
Anatomy of an Itemized FOB Garment Quote
| Cost Element | Detailed Specification | Typical Rate Benchmark | FOB Share % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Shell Fabric | 100% Combed Cotton 450 GSM French Terry | $8.50 / kg | 40% – 50% of FOB |
| Cut-Make-Trim (CMT) | Cutting, line sewing assembly, quality control trimming | $3.00 – $5.00 / garment | 25% – 35% of FOB |
| Decoration (Screen Print) | 3-color back screen print + 1-color chest print | $1.20 – $2.00 / garment | 10% – 15% of FOB |
| Trims & Packaging | Woven label, care tag, polybag, master carton | $0.60 – $1.20 / garment | 5% – 10% of FOB |
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does FOB stand for in apparel manufacturing quotations?
FOB stands for Free On Board. A price quoted 'FOB Chittagong' includes all raw fabric, manufacturing labor, trims, inner packaging, and local truck transport up until cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the export port.
Why are un-itemized lump-sum quotes dangerous for fashion brands?
Lump-sum single-number quotes obscure raw fabric costs and factory labor margins. Without itemization, brands cannot negotiate fabric yields, optimize trim specs, or audit cost improvements when scaling order volume.
What is the difference between FOB, EXW, and DDP shipping terms?
EXW (Ex-Works) means the brand pays for all transport from the factory gate onward. FOB includes transport and port clearance to the export vessel. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means the manufacturer handles 100% of sea freight, customs clearance, duties, and door delivery.
Are sampling fees usually included in the bulk production quote?
Sampling fees are typically invoiced upfront separately. However, reputable manufacturers often credit pre-production sample fees back to the brand once bulk purchase orders meeting MOQ thresholds are placed.
Why do apparel quotes specify a 30-day price validity window?
Raw cotton yarn prices, dye chemicals, and international freight rates fluctuate globally. Manufacturers specify 30-day quotation validity to protect against raw material price increases before purchase orders are signed.
How does Fenalt structure apparel quotes for client brands in Bangladesh?
Fenalt provides transparent, itemized FOB price quotations in Dhaka - breaking down fabric yields, CMT labor, trims, screen printing, and AQL 2.5 inspection milestones with no hidden surcharges.
Request a transparent manufacturing quote
Fenalt provides itemized FOB price quotes for custom clothing production in Dhaka with zero hidden fees.
Submit Your Project