Cashmere knit fabric

Quality is determined by fiber fineness (ideally <15.5 microns) and fiber length (32-38mm). Shorter fibers lead to excessive pilling. You should request a technical data sheet specifying the purity percentage (e.g., 100% Cashmere vs. blends) and the yarn count (e.g., 2/26nm or 2/80nm). High-quality knit fabric should have a soft, buttery hand-feel and demonstrate excellent recovery when stretched.

To ensure ethical sourcing and market access, verify that suppliers comply with the Good Cashmere Standard (GDS) or Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA). For chemical safety, ensure the fabric meets OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and REACH regulations. If you are targeting the US market, compliance with the Wool Products Labeling Act is mandatory to prevent mislabeling of fiber content.

For luxury apparel, prioritize Grade A fibers and specific knit structures like Jersey, Rib, or Cable knit. For home textiles (blankets), focus on GSM (Grams per Square Meter); a higher GSM indicates a denser, warmer fabric. Always confirm the colorfastness rating (Grade 4-5) to ensure the dyes do not bleed during dry cleaning or light exposure.

Never rely solely on the supplier's word. Request a third-party laboratory test report from recognized bodies like SGS or Intertek. These labs use microscopic analysis to distinguish cashmere from fine sheep's wool or yak hair. Additionally, check for ISO 17751-1 compliance, which is the international standard for the quantitative analysis of cashmere and wool blends.

The biggest risk is fiber substitution or adulteration, where suppliers mix cashmere with fine wool or synthetic fibers to lower costs. Another risk is weight discrepancy; cashmere is sold by weight, and moisture content can artificially inflate the price. Ensure your contract specifies a commercial moisture regain of 18.25% and conduct pre-shipment inspections (PSI) to verify the net weight.

Focus on transparency and long-term partnership. Ask for sample yardage before placing a bulk order to test the 'pilling' resistance. Negotiate based on volume tiers; for cashmere, even a 5% discount on bulk orders can significantly impact your margins due to the high unit value. Use Made-in-China.com's Secured Trading Service to ensure your payment is protected until the quality is verified.

Cashmere is highly susceptible to moisture, odors, and pests. Ensure the fabric is vacuum-sealed or packed in heavy-duty polybags with desiccant packs. For high-value shipments, Air Freight is recommended over Sea Freight to reduce the time the product spends in humid port environments. Always purchase all-risk cargo insurance covering the full invoice value plus 10%.

Check the Harmonized System (HS) Code (typically under Chapter 51 or 60) for your specific country to determine import duties and VAT. Be aware of Anti-Dumping Duties or specific quotas that may apply to textile products from certain regions. Ensure the Certificate of Origin is accurately prepared to take advantage of any Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that might reduce your tariff burden.