The Real Cost of Manufacturing Your First Clothing Collection in India (What Indian & International Brands Actually Pay)

The Real Cost of Manufacturing Your First Clothing Collection in India (What Indian & International Brands Actually Pay)

Ashanari

12/13/202514 min read

The Real Cost of Manufacturing Your First Clothing Collection in India (What Indian & International Brands Actually Pay)

Published: December 14, 2024 | Reading Time: 12 minutes

Last month, I met Priya at a cafe in Bangalore. She'd saved ₹12 lakhs ($14,500) to launch her sustainable ethnic fusion brand. She found a manufacturer in Delhi, got quoted ₹800 ($9.60) per kurta set, and ordered 300 pieces. The numbers looked perfect—until reality hit.

By the time her collection arrived, she'd spent an additional ₹6.2 lakhs ($7,500) on costs nobody mentioned upfront. Her budget of ₹12 lakhs became ₹18.2 lakhs, and she hadn't even launched on Instagram yet.

The same week, I spoke with Marcus from Los Angeles. He wanted to manufacture in India to get better pricing. He was quoted $8 per t-shirt and thought he'd found a goldmine. Six months later, after hidden costs, currency issues, and shipping nightmares, his "cheap Indian manufacturing" ended up costing more than producing locally.

Both stories are common. Whether you're an Indian designer launching on Myntra or a Western brand importing from Jaipur, the pattern is the same: initial quotes rarely tell the complete story.

After working with over 300 brands—from Mumbai startups to London boutiques—I've seen the same costly mistakes repeated. This isn't your typical pricing guide. This is the honest breakdown I wish someone had shown me when I started Ashanari fifteen years ago in Jaipur.

Why Manufacturing Quotes Mislead (Everywhere, But Especially in India)

Let's be straight: when a manufacturer quotes you ₹500 ($6) per piece, that's almost never your final cost.

In India, this happens because:

  • GST (18%) often isn't included in initial quotes

  • "Extra" costs are considered standard (nobody mentions them)

  • Fabric minimums from mills affect small orders

  • Export documentation adds costs for international buyers

  • Currency fluctuations impact dollar-based clients

For international buyers manufacturing in India:

  • That low quote looks amazing in dollars

  • Then shipping costs equal 30-40% of product cost

  • Import duties in your country add another 10-25%

  • Suddenly your "$6 t-shirt" costs $11-13 landed

The real cost-per-piece for a startup's first order is typically 30-45% higher than the initial quote—whether you're in Delhi or Dubai.

The Complete Cost Breakdown: Indian & International Perspective

1. Sample Development Costs

₹25,000-₹1,25,000 ($300-$1,500) per style

Before you manufacture 500 pieces, you need samples. And here's what nobody tells you: perfect fit takes multiple tries.

What this really costs:

Sample Type Indian Brands (₹) International Brands ($) First prototype ₹7,000-₹12,500 $85-$150 Revision #1 (fit) ₹6,000-₹10,000 $75-$120 Revision #2 (color) ₹6,000-₹10,000 $75-$120 Final approval ₹7,000-₹12,500 $85-$150 Size set (XS-XXL) ₹20,000-₹35,000 $250-$400

Real example: Arjun from Pune launched a streetwear brand last year. His "simple" oversized hoodie took four sample rounds to perfect. He's a designer, so he knew what he wanted—but translating that into patterns took time.

Total sampling cost: ₹78,000 ($940) for a single style before production even started.

For international clients: Add courier charges. DHL/FedEx from Jaipur to New York: ₹3,500-₹6,000 ($40-$70) per sample shipment.

How to reduce this:

  • Provide detailed tech packs (reduces revisions by 60%)

  • Video calls work better than endless WhatsApp texts

  • Ask if sample costs are credited toward bulk orders (we do this at Ashanari)

  • For international buyers: Request multiple samples in one shipment

2. Pattern Making & Grading

₹15,000-₹50,000 ($200-$600) per style

Unless you're using ready patterns, someone needs to create and grade across sizes.

Indian market pricing:

  • Basic pattern (t-shirt/kurta): ₹15,000-₹25,000

  • Complex pattern (jacket/lehenga): ₹30,000-₹50,000

  • Pattern grading (S-XXL): ₹12,000-₹20,000

  • Western size grading (XS-3XL): ₹15,000-₹25,000

The catch for international brands: Indian sizing ≠ Western sizing. If you need Western fit, specify this clearly. Many manufacturers work in Indian measurements by default.

Sneha's mistake: A designer from Mumbai created a beautiful dress line for the US market. She approved patterns based on Indian sizing. When samples arrived in California, everything fit 1-2 sizes smaller. Cost to remake patterns in US sizing: ₹45,000 ($550).

Pro tip: If targeting international markets, share size charts from Zara, H&M, or your target market brands. "Make it size L" means different things in India vs USA vs UK.

3. Fabric Sourcing & Reality Check

₹40-₹150 ($0.50-$2.00) per piece in hidden costs

India's advantage: We're textile heaven. Cotton from Gujarat, silk from Banaras, block prints from Rajasthan, handlooms from Andhra Pradesh.

India's challenge: Mills have minimums. Small brands pay more.

Fabric pricing reality:

Fabric Type Small Order (50-200 pcs) Bulk Order (500+ pcs) Basic cotton ₹120-₹180/meter ($1.45-$2.20) ₹80-₹120/meter ($1-$1.45) Premium cotton ₹200-₹350/meter ($2.40-$4.20) ₹140-₹220/meter ($1.70-$2.65) Rayon/Modal ₹100-₹150/meter ($1.20-$1.80) ₹70-₹100/meter ($0.85-$1.20) Linen ₹250-₹450/meter ($3-$5.40) ₹180-₹300/meter ($2.20-$3.60) Organic cotton ₹350-₹550/meter ($4.20-$6.60) ₹220-₹350/meter ($2.65-$4.20)

Hidden costs:

  • Fabric sampling from mills: ₹2,500-₹6,500 ($30-$80)

  • Minimum yardage requirements: Often 150-300 meters

  • Pre-shrinking process: ₹25-₹65 ($0.30-$0.80) per piece

  • GST on fabric: 5-18% (depends on fabric type)

Real scenario: Kavya ordered 100 kurtas in handloom cotton from Andhra Pradesh. Fabric cost quoted: ₹180/meter. But mill minimum: 200 meters. She needed 120 meters but paid for 200.

Actual fabric cost per piece: ₹300 instead of ₹180 ($3.60 vs $2.20)

For international buyers: Indian fabrics are incredible value. That "expensive" organic Jaipur block print cotton that costs ₹450/meter ($5.40) would be $12-$15/meter in the US. This is where manufacturing in India makes sense—if you know how to navigate minimums.

4. Printing & Embroidery Add-Ons

Where Jaipur (and India) shines:

Hand Block Printing (our specialty):

  • Single color block print: ₹80-₹150 ($1-$1.80) per piece

  • Multi-color block print: ₹200-₹400 ($2.40-$4.80) per piece

  • Gold foil block work: ₹300-₹600 ($3.60-$7.20) per piece

This is uniquely Indian and commands premium prices globally. A hand-block printed dress that costs you ₹800 ($9.60) to produce can retail for $85-$120 in Western markets.

Modern printing costs:

  • Screen printing setup (per color): ₹2,000-₹4,000 ($25-$50)

  • Print cost per piece: ₹120-₹280 ($1.50-$3.50) per color

  • DTG printing: ₹400-₹1,000 ($5-$12) per piece

Embroidery breakdown:

  • Digitizing fee (one-time): ₹4,000-₹12,000 ($50-$150)

  • Basic embroidery: ₹250-₹500 ($3-$6) per piece

  • Complex/dense work: ₹650-₹1,200 ($8-$15) per piece

  • Traditional Lucknowi chikankari: ₹800-₹2,500 ($10-$30) per piece

Example for 100 t-shirts with 3-color screen print:

  • 3 screen setups: ₹12,000 ($150)

  • Printing (₹200/piece × 100): ₹20,000 ($250)

  • GST (18%): ₹5,760 ($72)

  • Total: ₹37,760 ($472)

  • Cost per piece: ₹378 ($4.72)

5. Custom Labels & Packaging

₹60-₹280 ($0.75-$3.50) per piece

Indian pricing advantage: Labels and packaging cost 40-60% less in India than in the US/UK.

Label costs (₹/$ per piece):

Item Indian Market International Woven labels (500 min) ₹25-₹65 (₹0.30-$0.80) ₹25-₹65 ($0.30-$0.80) Printed labels ₹12-₹35 ($0.15-$0.40) ₹12-₹35 ($0.15-$0.40) Care labels ₹8-₹20 ($0.10-$0.25) ₹8-₹20 ($0.10-$0.25) Premium hangtags ₹40-₹100 ($0.50-$1.20) ₹40-₹100 ($0.50-$1.20)

Packaging:

  • Basic poly bags: ₹8-₹20 ($0.10-$0.25)

  • Printed poly bags (1000 min): ₹25-₹50 ($0.30-$0.60)

  • Tissue paper: ₹12-₹28 ($0.15-$0.35)

  • Custom boxes: ₹65-₹200 ($0.80-$2.50)

GST on labels/packaging: 18%

For premium Indian brands: Budget ₹150-₹200 per piece for good labels + packaging

For export brands: Budget $1.50-$2.00 per piece (international buyers expect premium unboxing)

6. Shipping & Logistics (The Big Difference Maker)

This is where Indian vs International costs diverge dramatically.

FOR INDIAN BRANDS (Domestic Shipping):

Within India:

  • Local (same state): ₹30-₹60 per kg

  • Metro to metro: ₹50-₹100 per kg

  • Remote areas: ₹80-₹150 per kg

  • Bulk freight (500+ pieces): ₹12,000-₹30,000 total

Example: 300 t-shirts from Jaipur to Mumbai

  • Weight: ~75 kg

  • Cost: ₹4,500-₹7,500 ($55-$90)

  • Per piece: ₹15-₹25 ($0.18-$0.30)

FOR INTERNATIONAL BRANDS (Exporting from India):

This is crucial. Shipping often equals 25-40% of your product cost.

Air Freight (5-10 days):

  • India to USA/Canada: $5-$8 per kg

  • India to UK/Europe: $4-$7 per kg

  • India to Australia: $6-$9 per kg

  • India to UAE/Middle East: $3-$5 per kg

Sea Freight (25-40 days):

  • India to USA: $1.50-$3 per kg (minimum 100-200 kg)

  • India to UK: $1.20-$2.50 per kg

  • India to Australia: $2-$3.50 per kg

Plus additional costs:

  • Customs clearance: ₹12,000-₹35,000 ($150-$400)

  • Import duties (destination country): 5-25% of product value

  • Customs broker fees: ₹12,000-₹30,000 ($150-$350)

  • Insurance: 1-2% of shipment value

  • Documentation charges: ₹4,000-₹8,000 ($50-$100)

Real example - James (Los Angeles):

  • Ordered 300 hoodies from Jaipur

  • Product cost: ₹4,50,000 ($5,400)

  • Air shipping (150 kg): $1,800

  • Customs duties (11%): $595

  • Customs broker: $250

  • Insurance: $75

  • Total shipping & import: $2,720

  • That's 50% of product cost!

His landed cost per hoodie: $27 (when he expected $18)

Smart strategy for international buyers:

  • Plan ahead → use sea freight (saves 60-70%)

  • Order in bulk to reduce per-piece shipping

  • Consider duties when pricing your retail

  • Work with manufacturers experienced in export documentation

7. GST & Tax Realities

For Indian brands:

  • GST on manufacturing: 5-18% (depends on garment type)

  • GST on fabric: 5-12%

  • GST on trims/labels: 18%

  • Input tax credit can be claimed

For international buyers:

  • Export orders are GST-free (0% GST)

  • But customs duties apply at destination

  • USA: 16-32% on garments (varies by fiber content)

  • UK/EU: 8-12% + VAT (20% UK, varies in EU)

  • Australia: 5-10% + GST (10%)

  • UAE: 5% VAT

Example: Indian brand

  • Manufacturing cost: ₹5,00,000

  • GST (12%): ₹60,000

  • Total: ₹5,60,000

  • (Can claim input tax credit on fabric/materials purchased)

Example: US brand importing

  • FOB cost: $6,000

  • Shipping: $2,000

  • Landed cost: $8,000

  • US customs duty (16%): $1,280

  • Total: $9,280

8. Payment Processing & Currency Headaches

For Indian brands:

  • Domestic wire transfer: ₹100-₹500 per transaction

  • UPI/NEFT: Free to ₹20

  • GST on services: 18%

For international buyers (this adds up!):

  • International wire transfer: $25-$50 per transaction

  • SWIFT charges: $15-$30 additional

  • Currency conversion: 1-3% markup from your bank

  • Forex fluctuation risk: Can gain/lose 3-8% over production timeline

Real headache: Marcus from our opening story quoted $8 per piece when ₹/$1 = 82. By production time, rate was 84. His cost increased 2.4% due to currency alone.

On a $10,000 order:

  • Wire transfer: $45

  • SWIFT charges: $25

  • Currency conversion (2.5%): $250

  • Total fees: $320 (3.2% of order value)

Pro tip for international buyers:

  • Lock in forex rates with your bank for 3-6 months

  • Consider using Wise/TransferWise (lower fees)

  • Ask if manufacturer accepts PayPal for small orders

9. The India-Specific Hidden Costs

Things that surprise Indian brands:

1. Transport/Loading charges: ₹500-₹2,000 per shipment (not included in quotes)

2. Electricity charges: Some manufacturers add ₹5-₹15 per piece for power-heavy processes (pressing, embroidery)

3. Sample courier within India: ₹200-₹600 per courier (Blue Dart/DTDC)

4. Fabric rejection/shortages: Mills sometimes deliver 5-10% less than ordered. You pay for replacement at market rates.

5. Color matching charges: ₹1,500-₹5,000 if custom color matching needed

6. Festive season delays: Diwali, Holi affect timelines. Rush charges: 15-25% extra

Things that surprise international buyers:

1. "Indian timing": What's quoted as 4 weeks might become 6 weeks. Build buffer into your launch timeline.

2. Communication styles: "Yes, possible" doesn't always mean "Yes, we'll do it exactly as you imagined." Overcommunicate. Use video calls. Send reference images.

3. Power cuts: Backup generators exist, but production delays happen.

4. Festival holidays: India has many festivals. Factories close. Plan around Diwali (October/November), Holi (March), etc.

5. Quality standards: "Perfect" means different things. First-time orders need thorough quality checks. Invest in third-party inspection if you can't visit.

6. WhatsApp is everything: Email is formal. Real work happens on WhatsApp. Get used to it.

The Real Numbers: Complete First Order (Dual Currency)

Let's calculate that "simple" 300-piece kurta set order for an Indian brand AND a 500-piece t-shirt order for a US brand.

SCENARIO A: Indian Brand (Ethnic Fusion Kurta Sets)

Quoted: ₹800 per set × 300 = ₹2,40,000

Actual costs:

Expense Amount (₹) Base manufacturing (300 × ₹800) ₹2,40,000 Sampling (2 styles, 3 revisions) ₹85,000 Pattern making/grading ₹35,000 Hand block printing (partial) ₹45,000 Custom labels + tags ₹30,000 Packaging (premium) ₹20,000 GST (12% on manufacturing) ₹28,800 Quality inspection ₹15,000 Shipping (Jaipur to Bangalore) ₹8,000 Rush sampling ₹12,000 ACTUAL TOTAL ₹5,18,800

Real cost per piece: ₹1,729 (vs quoted ₹800)

That's 2.16× the quote.

Add photography (₹1,20,000) and website (₹80,000), and launch budget becomes ₹7,18,800 ($8,650).

SCENARIO B: US Brand (T-shirts Manufactured in India)

Quoted: $12 per piece × 500 = $6,000

Actual costs:

Expense Amount ($) Amount (₹) Base manufacturing (500 × $12) $6,000 ₹5,00,000 Sampling + revisions $800 ₹66,500 Pattern making (Western sizing) $400 ₹33,300 2-color screen printing $950 ₹79,000 Premium labels (international std) $900 ₹75,000 Packaging (retail-ready) $600 ₹50,000 Quality inspection (3rd party) $450 ₹37,500 Subtotal (India) $10,100 ₹8,41,000 Air freight (125 kg @ $6/kg) $750 - Customs duties (16%) $960 - Customs broker $250 - Insurance $90 - TOTAL LANDED COST $12,150 -

Real cost per piece: $24.30 (vs quoted $12)

That's 2.02× the quote.

And we haven't added photography ($2,000), e-commerce setup ($1,500), or initial marketing ($3,000).

Grand total to launch: $18,650

How to Actually Budget: Indian & International Strategies

For Indian Brands:

Budget Formula: Total = (Quoted Price × 1.6) + Fixed Costs + Marketing + 15% Buffer

If quote is ₹3,00,000:

  • (₹3,00,000 × 1.6) = ₹4,80,000

  • Fixed costs (sampling, patterns): ₹1,20,000

  • Marketing (shoot, ads): ₹2,00,000

  • Buffer (15%): ₹1,20,000

  • Total realistic budget: ₹9,20,000 ($11,000)

For International Brands Manufacturing in India:

Budget Formula: Total Landed = (FOB Cost × 1.4) + Shipping (35%) + Duties (15%) + Fixed Costs

If FOB quote is $5,000:

  • Product costs: ($5,000 × 1.4) = $7,000

  • Shipping (35% of product): $2,450

  • Duties & clearance (15%): $1,050

  • Fixed costs (sampling, etc): $1,500

  • Total landed: $12,000

8 Ways to Reduce Costs (India-Specific Strategies)

1. Leverage India's Craft Heritage

Don't just manufacture cheap basics. Anyone can make plain t-shirts. India's advantage is craft.

Smart play:

  • Jaipur hand block prints command premium prices globally

  • Lucknowi chikankari embroidery is irreplaceable

  • Handloom fabrics tell a story

Example: Neha's brand uses Banaras silk brocade. Manufacturing cost: ₹1,200 per piece. Retail: ₹6,500. Margin: 5.4×

Compare to basic cotton dress: Cost ₹400, retail ₹1,200. Margin: 3×

Craft sells at higher margins.

2. Build Relationships, Not Transactions

Indian business runs on relationships. That manufacturer who seems expensive? After 3 orders, you'll get:

  • Better pricing

  • Payment flexibility

  • Rush order priority

  • Free sampling

Rajesh's story: First order from his Jaipur manufacturer: ₹850 per piece. By order 5: ₹650 per piece (same quality). Why? Trust built over 18 months.

For international buyers: Visit India. Meet your manufacturer face-to-face. That ₹80,000 ($1,000) trip will save you ₹3-4 lakhs ($4,000-$5,000) in better pricing and fewer issues.

3. Time Your Orders Smartly

Avoid peak seasons:

  • March-May (summer collection rush)

  • August-October (Diwali + winter rush)

  • December (export orders for spring)

Order during slow months:

  • June-July (monsoon, slower)

  • January-February (post-holiday)

Savings: 10-15% better pricing + faster turnaround + more attention to your order

4. Use India's Digital Fabric Libraries

Instead of physical fabric shopping:

  • Many Jaipur/Surat vendors now have digital catalogs

  • Request digital swatches first

  • Order physical samples only for finalists

  • Saves time, courier costs, and you see more options

Platforms: TextileIndia, FabricBazar, IndianFabricStore

5. Start with Small Batch, Scale Smart

For Indian market:

  • Test with 50-75 pieces

  • Sell through Instagram, local boutiques

  • Reorder 150-200 with profits

  • Third order: 300-500 (better pricing kicks in)

For international market:

  • Test with 50-100 pieces

  • Validate US/EU market demand

  • Then bulk order 500-1000 (shipping economics improve)

Priya's smart move: Tested with 50 fusion kurtas (₹50,000 investment). Sold out in 3 weeks via Instagram (₹1,25,000 revenue). Reordered 200 pieces with profits. Now doing ₹15 lakhs/month.

6. Bundle Orders Across Styles

Manufacturer minimums are per PRODUCTION RUN, not per style.

Instead of:

  • 100 t-shirts now (₹14 per piece)

  • 100 hoodies next month (₹24 per piece)

  • Total: ₹3,800 + two production runs

Do:

  • 50 t-shirts + 50 hoodies together (₹12 + ₹22)

  • Total: ₹1,700 + one production run

  • Saves sampling, setup, minimum fabric waste

7. Negotiate the Right Things (India Edition)

Don't negotiate:

  • Fabric quality (you'll regret this)

  • Labor/artisan wages (unethical)

  • Basic construction quality

Do negotiate:

  • Sample cost credits (always ask)

  • Payment terms (30% + 70% vs 50% + 50%)

  • Bulk discounts for future orders

  • Fabric waste management (can you use leftover fabric?)

Powerful question: "We're planning 4 collections this year. What's your annual partnership pricing?"

8. Consider Regional Manufacturing Hubs

Different Indian cities = different strengths + costs:

Jaipur (Rajasthan):

  • Best for: Block printing, embroidery, ethnic wear

  • Cost: Moderate

  • Quality: Excellent for craft

Tirupur (Tamil Nadu):

  • Best for: Knits, t-shirts, activewear, basics

  • Cost: Competitive (₹80-₹120 per t-shirt)

  • Volume: High capacity

Delhi NCR:

  • Best for: Everything, fast turnaround

  • Cost: Higher (metro pricing)

  • Advantage: Variety, quick sampling

Mumbai:

  • Best for: High-fashion, premium lines

  • Cost: Highest

  • Quality: Top-tier finishing

Bangalore:

  • Best for: Tech-enabled, export-oriented

  • Cost: Moderate-high

  • Advantage: Professional systems, good for international clients

For international buyers: Jaipur + Tirupur combination works well. Craft items from Jaipur, basics from Tirupur. We coordinate both at Ashanari.

Real Success Stories: Indian & International

Ananya's Smart Launch (Bangalore)

Budget: ₹5 lakhs

Strategy:

  • 2 styles (fusion kurta + palazzo set)

  • 60 pieces total (30 each)

  • Jaipur hand block printing

  • Total production: ₹2.2 lakhs

  • Photography: ₹60,000

  • Leftover: ₹2.2 lakhs for marketing

Results:

  • Sold 55 pieces in 5 weeks (Instagram + local pop-ups)

  • Revenue: ₹3.8 lakhs

  • Reordered 120 pieces with profits

  • Now: ₹18-20 lakhs annual revenue

Her advantage: Started with India's craft strength, priced accordingly (₹5,500-₹6,500 per set), targeted customers who appreciate handmade.

Sophie's Journey (London → Jaipur)

Budget: £12,000 ($15,000)

Strategy:

  • Manufacture hand-block print dresses in Jaipur

  • 100 pieces, 4 styles

  • Imported to UK

  • Total landed cost: £6,500

  • Marketing/photoshoot: £3,500

  • Buffer: £2,000

Results:

  • Positioned as "Indian artisan luxury"

  • Retail: £95-£125 per dress

  • Sold 87 pieces in 8 weeks (online + boutiques)

  • Revenue: £9,800

  • Second order: 250 pieces

  • Now: £180,000 annual turnover

Her advantage: Understood that "Made in India by artisans" is a SELLING POINT, not something to hide. Jaipur craftsmanship commanded premium pricing in London.

Red Flags: Indian Manufacturing Edition

Be suspicious when:

1. "Everything is included, no hidden costs" Reality: GST, transport, electricity charges will appear

2. "We can match any price" Racing to the bottom = quality compromises

3. "No need for samples, we'll make it perfect" Even experienced manufacturers need sampling rounds

4. "Payment 100% advance" Standard is 30-50% advance, rest before shipping

5. "Export documentation? We'll handle it" (for international buyers) If they're vague about export experience, verify their IEC code, past exports

6. "We're a one-stop shop for everything" Specialists beat generalists. A manufacturer doing embroidery + printing + denim + ethnic wear might not excel at all

7. Constantly changing WhatsApp numbers Professional operations have stable contact systems

Your Action Plan: The Indian & International Checklist

Questions for ANY Indian Manufacturer:

Basic costs:

  • ☐ What's your base price per piece at my quantity?

  • ☐ Is GST included in the quote? (Indian buyers)

  • ☐ Is quote FOB or landed? (International buyers)

  • ☐ What's included vs what costs extra?

Sampling:

  • ☐ What's your sampling process and timeline?

  • ☐ Sample costs credited to bulk orders?

  • ☐ How do you handle Western vs Indian sizing? (International buyers)

  • ☐ Sample courier charges to [my city/country]?

Production:

  • ☐ Pattern making and grading costs?

  • ☐ How do you handle fabric minimums for small orders?

  • ☐ What quality control process do you follow?

  • ☐ Payment terms and schedule?

India-specific (ask ALL of these):

  • ☐ GST breakdown on invoice?

  • ☐ Transport/loading charges?

  • ☐ Any seasonal delays or holiday closures?

  • ☐ Backup power for production?

Export-specific (International buyers MUST ask):

  • ☐ Experience with exports to [my country]?

  • ☐ IEC code and export license verification?

  • ☐ Who handles shipping documentation?

  • ☐ Customs classification codes for my products?

  • ☐ Recommended freight forwarders?

  • ☐ Insurance coverage?

  • ☐ What are typical duties in my destination country?

The Bottom Line: Making "Made in India" Work

India offers incredible manufacturing advantages:

  • Craft heritage unmatched globally

  • Competitive pricing (when you understand real costs)

  • Skilled artisans for hand embroidery, block printing, embellishments

  • Fabric variety from cotton to silk to synthetics

  • Scalability from 30 pieces to 30,000 pieces

But success requires:

  1. Realistic budgeting (30-45% above initial quotes)

  2. Clear communication (overcommunicate, use visuals, confirm everything)

  3. Relationship building (loyalty gets rewarded in Indian business culture)

  4. Patience with processes (India has its own pace; build timelines accordingly)

  5. Quality investment (inspect samples thoroughly, invest in QC)

For Indian brands: Your advantage is local presence and cultural understanding. Use it. Visit factories, build relationships, leverage India's craft strengths.

For international brands: Don't just chase cheap labor. Partner with manufacturers who understand export quality, communication, and timelines. The extra ₹100-200 per piece for a professional operation saves thousands in headaches.

Start Smart with Ashanari

Why we're different:

For Indian brands:

  • We understand your budget constraints (been there!)

  • MOQ from 30-50 pieces (test before you invest)

  • GST invoices, transparent pricing (no surprises)

  • Jaipur's craft legacy in every piece

For international brands:

  • 15+ years export experience (USA, UK, EU, Australia, Middle East)

  • Western sizing standards (we know the difference!)

  • Complete export documentation (IEC, GST LUT, shipping docs)

  • English + WhatsApp communication (we adapt to you)

  • Quality matching international retail standards

We credit sample costs to bulk orders. Always.

Transparent pricing from day one: ✓ Complete cost breakdown—every fee explained ✓ Separate quotes for FOB + landed (international) ✓ GST clearly itemized (Indian brands) ✓ Realistic timelines (we under-promise, over-deliver)

Ready to budget realistically and launch successfully?

Indian brands: [Get Quote in ₹] [Call: +91 9549123654] [WhatsApp Now]

International brands: [Get Landed Cost Quote] [Schedule Video Call] [Download Export Guide]

Have questions about manufacturing in India? Drop a comment below or WhatsApp us at +91 9549123654

Related Articles:

  • "Western Sizing vs Indian Sizing: The Complete Guide for Manufacturers"

  • "How to Inspect Quality When You Can't Visit Your Manufacturer"

  • "The Best Indian Fabrics for International Markets (And What They Cost)"

About Ashanari: We're a B2B clothing manufacturer in Jaipur, Rajasthan, specializing in helping both Indian startups and international brands navigate clothing production in India. Over 15 years, we've worked with 300+ brands from Mumbai to Melbourne, helping them launch successful collections with realistic budgets and transparent partnerships.

📍 Based in Jaipur, Rajasthan | 🌍 Shipping to 45+ countries | 💬 WhatsApp: +91 9549123654

Share this with someone launching their clothing brand | Save for your production planning