You want to source denim from China but the options are overwhelming. You need a reliable partner but don't know who to trust. I will show you exactly where to look.

You can find Chinese denim suppliers¹ on B2B websites like Alibaba, at trade shows like Intertextile Shanghai, or in giant fabric markets like the China Textile City in Keqiao. For premium quality, it is best to work directly with respected mills like Advance Denim.

I have spent more than twenty years of my life inside denim factories. Here at DiZNEW, the first and most important decision we make for every single project is the fabric.

The right denim is the foundation for a great pair of jeans. Everything else—the fit, the wash, the details—depends on getting that foundation right. I have built relationships with mills all over China, from small, specialized workshops to some of the biggest producers in the world.

Finding a good supplier is the critical first step, so let me guide you through the Chinese denim landscape.

Who is the largest denim manufacturer in China?

You want a supplier with scale and reliability. But you hear the word "largest" used a lot, and it can mean different things. It is confusing to know who the real industry leaders are.

It is hard to name one single "largest" denim manufacturer, as it changes. Weiqiao Textile² is a giant in overall textiles, while mills like Advance Denim³ are leaders in denim innovation and sustainability. The "best" large partner for you depends entirely on whether you need massive volume or specialized quality.

The question of who is "largest" is one I discuss often with designers like Dean.

The answer is not so simple. A company might be the largest by the number of meters of fabric they produce, but they might not be the largest innovator or the largest producer of sustainable denim.

In China's textile industry⁴, you have giants that focus on volume for the mass market, and you have leaders that focus on quality and innovation for premium brands. Choosing the right one depends on your brand's position in the market.

Different Kinds of "Largest" Mills

Mill Type	Example	Best For
Overall Volume Leader	Weiqiao Textile Company	Brands that need huge quantities of standard fabrics at a competitive price.
Innovation & Quality Leader	Advance Denim	Premium and designer brands that need high-quality, sustainable, and innovative fabrics.
Regional Specialists	Guangzhou P&H Textile Co., Ltd.	Brands looking for specific types of fabric and good service from a well-regarded supplier.

At my factory, DiZNEW, we work with all types of mills. We match the mill to the client's needs. For a client who needs a million units of a basic jean, we go to a volume leader. For Dean's high-end collection, we partner with an innovation leader.

Can I import fabric from China⁵?

You found the perfect fabric, but now you have to get it to your home country. The process of international shipping, customs, and taxes seems very complicated. You worry your shipment will get stuck.

Yes, you can absolutely import fabric from China. It is a standard and very common business process. Your supplier can help with the paperwork, or you can hire a freight forwarder who will manage the entire process for you, from the factory door to your warehouse.

Importing seems intimidating at first, but it is a well-traveled path. Millions of containers leave China every year filled with textiles.

The key is to understand the basic steps and work with experienced partners. A good fabric supplier, like the ones we use, will have an export department that knows exactly what to do. They can arrange everything. However, most of my international clients prefer to use their own freight forwarder.

A freight forwarder is like a travel agent for your cargo. They find the best shipping route, handle all the paperwork, and make sure everything goes smoothly.

A Simple Guide to Importing Fabric

1. Agree on Terms: The most common term is FOB (Free On Board). This means the supplier is responsible for getting the fabric to the Chinese port. You are responsible for the ocean shipping and everything after that.
2. Hire a Freight Forwarder: This is your most important partner. They will give you a quote for shipping, customs clearance, and local delivery.
3. The Supplier Ships to Port: The supplier prepares the fabric, packs it for export, and delivers it to the ship. They give the paperwork to your freight forwarder.
4. Customs and Duties: Your freight forwarder's agent in your home country will handle customs clearance. They will tell you how much you need to pay in import duties and taxes.
5. Final Delivery: Once cleared, the fabric is delivered from the port directly to your door.

What is the largest fabric wholesale market in China?

You want to see and touch thousands of fabrics in person. You have heard about the giant markets in China, but you don't know where to start. The sheer size of them is intimidating.

The largest fabric wholesale market in the world is the China Textile City, located in Keqiao, near the city of Shaoxing. It is a massive complex with tens of thousands of individual shops selling every type of fabric imaginable, including a huge section dedicated to denim.

Visiting Keqiao for the first time is an experience you will never forget. It is not just a market; it is an entire city built around fabric. You can walk for days and not see everything.

This is where factory owners, trading companies, and designers from all over the world come to source materials. You can find everything from basic cotton to the most advanced technical textiles. Another major hub is the Guangzhou Zhongda fabric market.

It is also enormous and is particularly famous for its vast selection of garment accessories like buttons, zippers, and labels, in addition to fabric.

China's Two Giant Fabric Markets

Market	China Textile City	Guangzhou Zhongda Market
Location	Keqiao, Shaoxing	Guangzhou
Specialty	The world's largest selection of fabrics of all types. Unmatched variety.	Excellent for fabrics, but famous for its incredible selection of trims and accessories.
My Advice	Plan to spend at least two or three days here. Wear comfortable shoes.	A must-visit if you are also sourcing buttons, rivets, and labels for your jeans.

In these markets, you can find showrooms for large mills and smaller wholesalers like the Foshan Nanhai Yongyi Cloth Store. It is the best way to discover new suppliers.

Who is the largest exporter of denim?

You want to source from a country that has a strong, proven track record. Understanding who leads the global market helps you know where the industry's center of gravity is.

China is the world's largest exporter of both denim fabric and finished denim garments⁶ by a very large margin. Its massive manufacturing infrastructure, complete supply chain, and deep expertise in finishing allow it to dominate the global market in both volume and value.

China's position as the number one exporter is not just about price anymore. In the past, brands came here for low costs. Today, they come for the skill and the ecosystem. We have everything here.

The cotton can be grown here, spun into yarn, dyed, woven into denim, cut and sewn, and put through the most complex washing processes all within a few hundred kilometers. This complete supply chain is something no other country can match at the same scale. This integration creates speed, efficiency, and incredible capabilities.

Why China Dominates Denim Exports

• Total Infrastructure: We have modern ports, efficient logistics, and a government that supports manufacturing. This makes it easy to move goods from the factory to the rest of the world.
• Scale of Production: The size of the mills and factories here is enormous. This scale allows for competitive pricing and the ability to handle huge orders for the world's biggest brands.
• Deep Expertise: This is the most important part. Decades of experience have built a level of technical skill, especially in washing and finishing, that is world-class. At my factory DiZNEW, we can create any look a designer can imagine. This is the expertise that brands now come to China for.

Conclusion

China offers a vast world of denim suppliers. You can find partners online, in giant markets, or by working with mills. The key is to do your research to find the perfect one.

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