Tat Apparel Co.

FAQ

Clothing manufacturer questions, answered.

Fifty of the questions we hear most from brands, buyers and compliance teams evaluating a Bangladesh garment manufacturer — MOQ, lead time, private label, sustainability, shipping to the USA, UK and EU, and everything in between.

Jump to a topic

Getting started with Tat Apparel Co.

New brand? Start here. These are the questions we answer every week for founders reaching out for the first time.

Who is Tat Apparel Co. and where are you based?
Tat Apparel Co. is a full-package (FOB) garment manufacturer based in Dakshinkhan, Dhaka-1230, Bangladesh. We produce cut-and-sew apparel, knitwear, woven, denim, activewear, kidswear, headwear and workwear for DTC brands, retailers and licensed programs across the USA, UK, EU, Canada and Australia.
What types of clothing do you manufacture?
All major categories: t-shirts, polos, hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets, dresses, shirts, trousers, shorts, activewear, loungewear, kidswear, workwear and headwear (caps, bucket hats, beanies). If it's cut-and-sew or knit, we most likely produce it in-house or through our audited sister units.
Do you work with startups and small brands?
Yes. A meaningful share of our clients are DTC startups and independent labels doing their first production run. We provide tech-pack review, fabric sourcing help and honest advice on MOQ and cost before you commit.
How do I request a quote?
Send tech packs, reference samples or product photos plus target quantities to hello@tatapparelco.com or use our quote form. We reply within one business day with an indicative FOB price, MOQ and lead time.
Do I need a tech pack to start?
A tech pack speeds things up, but it isn't mandatory. If you only have sketches or a reference garment, our design team will build the tech pack with you as part of the development process.

MOQ, pricing and payment

Straight answers on minimums, price bands and payment terms — the questions procurement teams and founders ask first.

What is your MOQ (minimum order quantity)?
Typically 500 pieces per style per colorway for cut-and-sew, 300 pieces per style for headwear and knitwear, and 1,000 pieces for custom fabric development. MOQ is flexible for repeat partners and for development orders on stock fabrics.
Can you produce below 500 pieces?
Sometimes. On stock-fabric programs (blanks, jersey basics) we can go to 200–300 pieces per colorway at a higher unit price. For fully custom fabrics, dyes or prints, the MOQ is driven by mill minimums rather than our factory floor.
How is your pricing structured?
Prices are quoted FOB Chattogram in USD and include fabric, trims, cutting, sewing, finishing, inspection, poly-bag and standard export cartons. Print, embroidery, hangtags, labels and specialty packaging are quoted separately so you see every cost line.
What payment terms do you offer?
Standard for new partners: 30% TT advance and 70% against BL copy. Irrevocable at-sight L/C is accepted for orders above USD 50,000. Repeat partners typically move to net-30 or net-45 terms.
Do you charge development or sampling fees?
Fit and PP samples are charged at cost (usually USD 40–120 per sample depending on style). Development fees are credited back against your bulk order when you proceed to production.
What currency do you invoice in?
USD by default. EUR and GBP are available on request for European partners.

Sampling and product development

From sketch to PP sample — how our development studio works with your designers or ours.

How long does sampling take?
Development (proto) samples in 10–14 days from tech-pack approval. Fit samples in 7–10 days per round. Pre-production (PP) samples in 7–10 days after fabric and trim finalization. Photoshoot samples ship air-freight within 3 days of approval.
How many sample rounds are included?
Two fit rounds and one PP round are standard. Additional rounds are billed at cost, but 90% of our programs approve within the included rounds when the tech pack is complete.
Can you develop custom fabrics?
Yes. We work with mills in Bangladesh, China, India and Turkey for jersey, fleece, French terry, interlock, rib, waffle, poplin, twill, canvas, denim, corduroy and technical performance fabrics. Custom fabric development takes 30–45 days and typically requires a 1,000 kg mill minimum.
Do you support Pantone color matching?
Yes. We match to Pantone TCX and TPG references and provide lab dips for approval before bulk dyeing. Standard tolerance is Grade 4 on the gray scale for color fastness.

Lead times and production

How long production actually takes, and what drives the timeline.

What is your bulk lead time?
45–60 days from PO approval and receipt of advance payment for standard cut-and-sew. Denim, heavy wash programs and complex constructions may run 65–75 days. Blank programs on stock fabric ship in 30–35 days.
What is your monthly production capacity?
Approximately 850,000 pieces per month across cut-and-sew, headwear and knitwear, spread across our main unit and audited sister units in Dhaka and Chattogram.
Can you do rush or repeat orders faster?
Repeat programs on approved fabric and trims can ship in 30 days. True rush production (25 days) is possible for smaller quantities when the mill and trim supplier can support it — quoted case by case.
Do you offer stock service or open-to-buy programs?
Yes, for repeat partners. We hold agreed stock levels of core blanks and finish to your labels on 10–14 day pull-down. Ask about our replenishment programs.

Private label and white label

How we support brand owners who want their own label on quality garments.

Do you offer private label manufacturing?
Yes. Private label is our core business. You provide the brand, the design and the label; we handle sourcing, sampling, production, quality control and export. Your label, our factory floor.
What is the difference between private label and white label?
White label is buying an existing blank and adding your label. Private label is producing to your own tech pack, fit block and fabric spec — a fully unique product. We do both, though most of our clients are on private label.
Can you produce under a licensed brand or IP?
Yes, with valid license documentation. We regularly produce for licensed sports, entertainment and character programs and can share our licensee references on request.
Do you provide fit consultation or grading?
Yes. Our pattern team drafts and grades to your size chart (US, UK, EU, AU or custom). We can also work from your existing fit block or reverse-engineer a reference sample.

Shipping, incoterms and logistics

Getting your goods from Chattogram to your warehouse — the answers freight teams need.

Which incoterms do you support?
FOB Chattogram is standard and gives you the most control. CIF, CFR, DAP and DDP are available for USA, UK, EU, Canada and Australia through our nominated forwarders.
How long does shipping take from Bangladesh?
Sea freight: 30–35 days to US East Coast, 40–45 days to US West Coast, 25–30 days to UK/EU, 20–25 days to Middle East. Air freight: 3–5 days worldwide, quoted case by case for rush programs.
Do you handle US customs, duty and DDP?
Yes, on request. DDP quotes to a US warehouse include ocean freight, customs entry, duty, MPF/HMF, drayage and delivery. Same for DDP into UK and EU with duty and VAT paid at origin.
Which ports do you ship from?
Chattogram is our primary port. We also ship air from Dhaka (DAC) for samples and rush programs, and occasionally Mongla for specific programs.

Quality control and inspection

Our internal QC plus third-party audits — the checks that stop bad garments from leaving the factory.

What quality standards do you follow?
AQL 2.5 for major defects and AQL 4.0 for minor defects on final random inspection, in line with retailer standards for USA, UK and EU. Inline inspections happen at cutting, sewing (25% / 60% / 90% WIP) and finishing.
Do you accept third-party inspections?
Yes, and we recommend them for first orders. SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, TÜV and QIMA regularly inspect our production. You book directly with them or we arrange it on your behalf at cost.
Do you provide inspection reports and shipping samples?
Yes. Final inspection reports, measurement reports, wash-care test reports and 2–3 shipping samples per style are couriered before shipment leaves the port.

Sustainability and certifications

Compliance documents, audits and materials — what your compliance team and customers ask about.

What certifications does your factory hold?
BSCI, WRAP, SEDEX SMETA 4-pillar, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GOTS Organic, GRS (Global Recycled Standard), OCS (Organic Content Standard), ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and Higg FEM. Copies of active certificates are available on request.
Are you compliant with the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG)?
Yes. We provide the LkSG-required documentation package: supplier code of conduct, human rights due diligence report, grievance mechanism access and annual risk assessment summary — everything a German importer needs for BAFA reporting.
Are you compliant with the UK Modern Slavery Act and US UFLPA?
Yes. We publish an annual modern slavery statement, maintain full traceability of cotton (no Xinjiang / Uyghur Region cotton), and can provide UFLPA supply-chain documentation including cotton origin certificates, gin statements and shipping records.
Do you offer organic, recycled and low-impact materials?
Yes. GOTS-certified organic cotton, GRS-certified recycled polyester (rPET), recycled cotton, TENCEL Lyocell, hemp, linen and BCI cotton. We can quote alternatives at RFQ stage.
How do you handle waste and water?
ETP-treated water at all wet-processing partners (ZDHC compliant), fabric-waste segregation and recycling, solar rooftop on our main unit, and Higg FEM reporting on energy, water and chemical use.

Markets, compliance and country-specific questions

Region-specific answers for buyers in the USA, EU, UK and Canada.

Do you export to the United States?
Yes. The US is our largest market. We ship to LA, NY/NJ, Savannah, Houston and Seattle. We handle CPSIA, Prop 65, FTC labeling, wool/fur/textile fiber content act labeling and children's product safety testing.
Do you export to the European Union?
Yes — Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Sweden are active markets. We support REACH, CE-marked PPE where relevant, EU textile labeling regulation, French AGEC environmental labeling and German LkSG documentation.
Do you export to the United Kingdom?
Yes. We ship to Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway with full UKCA / textile labeling compliance and Modern Slavery Act documentation.
Do you export to Canada?
Yes. Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are regular destinations. We support Canadian textile labeling, Health Canada children's product safety and Bill S-211 (Fighting Against Forced Labour) reporting.

AI, automation and tech integration

For modern DTC brands and marketplaces that want production data to flow into their systems.

Do you support API or PLM integration?
Yes. Our merchandising API can push order status, WIP snapshots, inspection reports and shipping documents into your PLM, ERP or 3PL system. We support standard webhook and REST integrations.
Can I use AI-generated designs and prints with you?
Yes. We regularly produce AI-generated placement prints and all-over-prints. You keep the IP; we produce to your artwork files. We advise on resolution, color separation and print method before you commit.
Do you have a live chat or AI assistant for buyers?
Yes — every page of tatapparelco.com has an AI merchandising assistant that answers MOQ, lead time and capability questions in real time, and hands off to a human merchandiser for RFQs.

Didn't find your answer?

Talk to a merchandiser today.

Chat with our AI assistant on any page, or send a quick RFQ and a human merchandiser will reply within one business day.

Request a quoteContact us