In pictures
In this article
Short answer: production takes 30 to 45 days from your advance payment. Then the goods are inspected, you pay the balance, and they sail from Cochin. A Gulf buyer has goods at port about 8 weeks after approving the sample. A UK or EU buyer should plan 10 to 11 weeks.
The timeline
| When | What happens | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0 | You approve the sample and the spec | A signed spec sheet and proforma invoice |
| Days 1 to 3 | You pay the 50 percent advance | Payment receipt, order confirmation with a ship date |
| Week 1 | Yarn is booked, labels and cartons ordered | Label and carton artwork for your approval |
| Weeks 2 to 3 | Weaving | A progress update |
| Weeks 3 to 4 | Dyeing or bleaching, washing | Shade checked against the approved sample |
| Weeks 4 to 5 | Cutting, hemming, embroidery, labels | Photos of first finished pieces |
| Weeks 5 to 6 | Final inspection to AQL 2.5, packing | Inspection report and production photos |
| After inspection | You pay the 50 percent balance | Balance invoice |
| Dispatch | Goods move to Cochin and are loaded | Bill of lading, invoice, packing list, certificate of origin |
Each stage runs at a specialist unit, and we check the goods at every handover. Our post on how one order moves through six specialist units explains who checks what.
Then the sea leg
| Destination | Sea transit from Cochin |
|---|---|
| UAE | 7 to 10 days |
| Saudi Arabia | 8 to 12 days |
| UK | 21 to 26 days |
| Germany | 22 to 28 days |
| Australia | 18 to 25 days |
| US West Coast | 18 to 22 days |
Add a few days at each end for port handling and customs.
What can stretch it
- Late artwork. Labels and embroidery files approved in week 3 instead of week 1 push everything back.
- Custom colours. A new shade needs a lab dip approved before dyeing starts.
- Changes after the advance. A new size or weight restarts the yarn booking.
- Holidays and monsoon. See shipping linen in the monsoon.
What you should do in those weeks
- Approve artwork within two days of receiving it.
- Appoint your customs broker and send us their details.
- Decide whether you want your own inspector, and book them for week 5.
- Arrange the balance payment so it does not delay dispatch.
Check dates before you order
Our production capacity page has an order-by planner that works back from the date you need the goods. Once an order is running you can follow it on the tracking page. To start, request a quote with the date you need delivery.
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Written by
Dr Abin Babu
Founder & Chairman, Anabyn Global Ventures
Anabyn exports hotel and home linen from Kerala, India. These guides come from the questions buyers ask our desk. About the team
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