Question 1

What import duty does Japan charge on apparel from India?

Accepted Answer

Under the India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), in force since 2011, Japan has removed tariffs on around 95% of imports from India. This means Indian textiles and clothing can enter Japan at zero or reduced duty, provided the goods meet the agreement's rules of origin. Compared to sourcing from countries without a similar deal, this can significantly lower your landed cost.

Question 2

What are the typical minimum order quantities, and can I get samples first?

Accepted Answer

MOQs vary by product and factory. Knitwear units in Tiruppur may accept a few hundred pieces per style, while woven garment makers in Delhi NCR sometimes start at similar levels for standard designs. Most factories are willing to send pre-production samples before you commit to a bulk order. Sauda can negotiate sample terms and MOQs on your behalf so you get clarity before placing any order.

Question 3

Is Sauda really free for buyers? How does it make money?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Sauda is completely free for buyers. You never pay a fee, commission, or subscription. Sauda earns from the supplier side of the transaction, so your incentives stay aligned: we find you the cheapest verified quote, not the most expensive one.

Question 4

How does Sauda verify suppliers?

Accepted Answer

Sauda checks each supplier's GST filings and returns before presenting any quote. This confirms the factory is a real, compliant, actively trading business rather than a dormant listing or directory spam. By filtering out unreliable entities upfront, we save you the time and risk of vetting suppliers yourself.

Question 5

How quickly can I receive quotes, and what does the process look like?

Accepted Answer

Once you submit your requirement, Sauda identifies suitable verified factories, contacts them directly, calls to confirm pricing and capacity, negotiates on your behalf, and returns the cheapest live quotes within 24 hours. You simply review the options and decide which supplier to move forward with.

Question 6

Which Indian production clusters should I consider for apparel?

Accepted Answer

India has several well-established apparel clusters. Tiruppur is the hub for cotton knitwear and T-shirts. Ludhiana leads in woollen knitwear and winter garments. Delhi NCR offers a wide range of woven and embroidered fashion apparel. Surat is strong in synthetic fabrics, printed textiles, and blended-fabric garments. Sauda sources across all of these clusters to match your specific product needs.

Cluster	Specialises in
Tiruppur	Specialises in cotton knitwear, T-shirts, polo shirts, and hosiery, with vertically integrated dyeing, knitting, and garmenting units.
Ludhiana	Specialises in woollen knitwear, sweaters, jackets, and winter apparel, with strong acrylic and blended-yarn knitting capacity.
Delhi NCR	Specialises in woven fashion garments, embroidered apparel, and export-quality ready-made clothing across a wide range of fabrics and styles.
Surat	Specialises in synthetic and blended-fabric garments, sarees, dress materials, and printed textiles with large-scale weaving and processing infrastructure.

	India	China	Vietnam
Import duty	Zero or reduced (India-Japan CEPA)	Standard Japan tariff	Reduced (CPTPP / Japan-Vietnam EPA)
Typical MOQ	Smaller and flexible	Higher, often thousands	Moderate to high
Communication	English-speaking factories	Often via agents or translators	Improving, varies
Lead time	Competitive, varies by category	Fast, mature logistics	Competitive
Best known for	Cotton and knit garments, smaller runs	Large-scale, electronics, machinery	Apparel and footwear assembly

Apparel manufacturers in India for Japan importers (2026)

How Sauda gets you the cheapest quote

Top apparel clusters

India vs China vs Vietnam for apparel

Standards and minimum orders

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