Cost the pack architecture first, not the throw alone
For FOB Xiamen costing 230gsm coral fleece throws CDU packs, price the item as a retail pack system, not a loose textile. A mass-market programme normally includes the throw, folded to a fixed template; a printed insert card; an inner polybag or sleeve; a CDU tray or shelf-ready carton; a master carton; and export marks that still read after stacking, pallet stretch-wrap, and warehouse handling. In many programmes, packaging and handling are more volatile than the fleece body itself.
A common retail format is 130x160 cm or 150x200 cm. For this article, 230 gsm refers to finished fabric GSM unless stated otherwise. That distinction matters: some mills quote greige GSM, others quote dyed-and-finished GSM after brushing, shearing, and relaxation. If the supplier does not state the basis, the quote is not directly comparable. For a brushed coral fleece, pile height, nap direction, and brushing density can make two fabrics at the same GSM look and feel different.
If you need a process reference for in-line and final checks, use blanket quality control inspection to align sample approval, size check, and barcode verification before production release.
Separate finished weight, cut weight, and shipped weight
A buyer cannot cost a throw correctly by geometry alone. Start with the finished size, then add shrinkage allowance, hem allowance, and marker efficiency. Example: a 150x200 cm finished throw at 230 gsm finished fabric has a finished textile area of 3.0 m², so the net body weight is about 690 g. That calculation assumes one finished ply only and excludes seam, binding, and trim losses; it is not the cut weight and not the shipped gross weight.
To estimate cut consumption, the factory should state three separate numbers: cut size, shrinkage allowance, and marker efficiency. On a plain rectangular throw, a finished piece may need roughly 3-8% extra fabric for hem turn, trimming, and process recovery, and another 2-6% can be lost to marker layout, start-up waste, and shade segregation. Those percentages are order-dependent, not universal. A 160 cm usable width, a narrow hem, and a simple one-piece marker can yield better utilisation than a folded gift set with a printed belly band.
If the mill cannot separate those inputs, it is probably hiding waste inside a lump-sum fabric rate. Ask for fabric width, cut plan, shrinkage allowance, shade grouping, and yield by piece. For related fabric handling and pack construction, compare with solution-dyed microfleece travel blanket costing where shade control and yield logic are similar but the pile structure differs.
What FOB Xiamen should cover, and what it should not
Under Incoterms 2020 FOB, the seller delivers when the goods are on board the vessel at the named port of shipment. For Xiamen, that means the seller is responsible for production, packing, export marking, export customs clearance, and the move to the port and loading on board. The quote should state explicitly whether it includes inland trucking to port, terminal handling charges, customs brokerage, documentation fees, and any origin charges the supplier otherwise treats as “local charges.”
Do not assume all FOB quotes include the same boundary. In practice, one supplier may bundle inland trucking and export filing into the commercial FOB price, while another may show those as separate lines. That is a quoting convention, not a change to the legal term. Buyers should audit these items explicitly: inland freight to Xiamen port, export declaration/customs clearance, origin terminal handling, container loading or cross-dock handling, and documentation fees. If those items are not written into the quote, two FOB numbers are not comparable.
A clean RFQ should ask the supplier to confirm in writing: FOB Xiamen includes manufacturing, packing, export clearance, inland delivery to port, and loading on board; excludes ocean freight, destination charges, import clearance, and buyer-side destination inspection. If the seller proposes a different scope, name it as EXW or FCA and compare it separately. For a port comparison, see EXW vs FOB Ningbo for airline fleece blankets.
Define CDU operationally so the quote can be checked
CDU means counter display unit, but that label alone is not enough. Buyers need to specify whether the pack is shelf-ready, counter-ready, or pallet-ready. Those are not interchangeable. Shelf-ready usually needs a tear-off front panel and printable retail face. Counter-ready often needs a smaller footprint and better front visibility. Pallet-ready can tolerate simpler board but must survive stacking and stretch-wrap compression.
A usable CDU specification should state: pack count per CDU, interior orientation of each folded throw, display window size if any, tear-open method, board grade and flute type, front graphic area, and whether the CDU is intended for shelf, counter, or floor pallet display. For example: 1 throw + 1 insert card + 1 clear sleeve + 4 pcs per CDU tray, shelf-ready front flap, barcode on right panel, top-load opening. Without this, the supplier will price to its own habitual pack.
For board, specify something like: E-flute or B-flute corrugated board, single-wall, Kraft liner or white-top liner, with a target board basis of roughly 125-180 gsm liners depending on stack height and display life. If the CDU includes glued windows, perforated tear lines, or edge-laminated board, request a pre-production pack sample and a humidity storage check. Adhesive creep, board warp, and crushed corners are common failures in humid origin warehouses and warm destination stores.
A BOM that buyers can compare line by line
A proper FOB quote should break out the bill of materials by unit basis. Do not accept a single lump sum. The buyer should be able to compare each item per piece, per carton, or per 1,000 pcs, depending on how the supplier quotes.
A practical BOM for a retail throw programme might read like this: fabric body per piece, cutting and sewing per piece, insert card printing per 1,000 pcs, inner polybag per piece, CDU tray or shelf-ready carton per piece, master carton per carton, packing labour per piece, and export marking/document handling per order. If the supplier quotes accessory items per carton rather than per piece, the RFQ should say so. Mixing units is a common source of false comparison.
A buyer-grade technical specification for this kind of throw often includes: 100% polyester coral fleece, 230 gsm finished fabric, finished size 150x200 cm with ±2 cm tolerance, hem allowance 10-15 mm, edge finish by overlock plus topstitch or narrow double-needle hem, and insert card at 250-350 gsm art paper or CCNB depending on shelf presentation. If the design uses a folded belly band rather than a full sleeve, define the wrap overlap and glue or staple method.
For performance testing, separate lab acceptance from visual inspection. Typical lab targets for a promotional throw are ISO 105-C06 wash fastness at grade 3-4 or better under the agreed submethod and cycles, ISO 105-X12 dry rubbing at grade 3 or better, and pilling at grade 3-4 using the agreed method. Those are test-method results, not AQL numbers. For visual shipment control, use AQL 2.5 for major defects and AQL 4.0 for minor defects, with defect definitions written in advance: wrong barcode, missing insert card, torn CDU, or mixed shade are usually major defects.
If your programme uses recycled content or claims, align the evidence file separately and do not bury it in the pack BOM. For recycled blanket programmes, see rPET polar fleece certification documentation for what paperwork should exist before shipment.
Worked example: a realistic FOB structure, with the right caveats
The example below is illustrative only and volume-dependent. It is a planning model, not a market quote. Low-thousands quantities are not representative of container-scale FOB pricing, because spreading fixed costs across more pieces changes the unit cost materially.
Assumptions: 150x200 cm throw; 230 gsm finished fabric; 100% polyester coral fleece; 1-colour printed insert card; clear polybag; simple shelf-ready CDU tray; master carton; production quantity in the low-thousands; FOB Xiamen under Incoterms 2020.
Indicative cost stack for planning: fabric and dye/finish RMB 12.5-16.5 per piece; cutting and sewing RMB 2.0-3.5; insert card print RMB 0.8-1.8 per piece equivalent; inner polybag RMB 0.4-0.9; CDU tray / shelf-ready pack RMB 1.1-3.0; packing labour RMB 1.2-2.5; master carton and export marking RMB 1.0-2.0; factory overhead and margin RMB 2.5-5.0. That gives an indicative FOB Xiamen of roughly RMB 21.5-34.7 per set, or about USD 3.0-4.9 at a typical spot range, before ocean freight, destination charges, and import duty.
If the order is larger and the CDU board is simpler, the number can move down; if the order is smaller, the artwork is complex, or the pack includes embossed film, the number can move up. The fastest way to check a quote is to ask which items are counted per piece, per carton, or per 1,000 pcs. If a supplier quotes below the low end, verify whether it has excluded export handling, used a lighter board, reduced insert-card print quality, or ignored shade-rework labour.
For a different presentation format with similar handling issues, see 250gsm polar fleece throws with satin ribbon set packaging.
A worked carton model buyers can sanity-check
Carton maths should be explicit, because carton cube and packing density drive both FOB packing labour and freight efficiency. A common CDU might hold 4 throws per CDU, with 6 CDU units per master carton or 24 throws per master carton, depending on fold thickness and board spec. A master carton for a 150x200 cm coral fleece programme often lands in the 0.08-0.14 m³ range, but the actual cube depends on fold programme, insert card thickness, and whether the polybag is vacuum-squeezed or simply flat-packed.
Ask the supplier to state: CDU dimensions, master carton internal dimensions, gross weight per carton, net weight per carton, and pallet stack height. If a carton is too full, the CDU corners crush and the retail face bows. If it is too loose, throws shift inside the tray and the insert card scuffs. For many soft textile programmes, the practical target is to keep the carton fill ratio high enough to avoid void collapse but not so high that board loses compression reserve.
RFQ sentence you can reuse: State CDU dimensions in mm, board grade and flute, number of pieces per CDU, number of CDU per master carton, master carton dimensions in mm, gross weight limit per carton, and whether palletization is required at the origin. If any of those are omitted, the quote will not be comparable.
How packing labour and line rate should really be framed
A blanket packing line rate is not a universal number. The time depends on fold complexity, operator skill, insert-card alignment, bag type, seal method, and whether the CDU is pre-glued or erected at line side. A simple flat-fold, sleeve, and carton pack may be processed much faster than a retail-ready pack with tight graphics tolerance and barcode placement checks.
For a 230gsm coral fleece throw, a packing line usually needs separate stations for folding, bagging, insert-card insertion, CDU loading, carton sealing, and outer marking. If the supplier quotes labour as one lump sum, ask for the assumed pcs per worker-hour or pcs per line-hour. Any number should be tied to a specific fold standard and pack complexity; otherwise it is just a placeholder.
A practical buying check is to ask the supplier for a pre-production fold sample and a 30-piece line trial. Confirm that the fold lines are repeatable, the insert card stays flat, and the barcode scans after bagging. A pack that looks acceptable at 3 pieces can fail at 300 pieces because heat, dust, and operator fatigue change line consistency.
Inspection and lab control: do not mix them
Visual inspection and lab testing solve different problems. AQL applies to appearance, count, packaging, and workmanship defects. It does not replace wash, rub, or dimensional stability tests. If you mix them, the acceptance criteria become unusable.
For shipment inspection, define the defect classes first. Examples: critical = wrong product, wrong fibre content claim, or missing required safety label; major = shade banding, open seam, barcode failure, torn CDU, wrong insert card, or gross size out of tolerance; minor = loose thread ends, small print mis-register, light packaging scuff, or fold deviation that does not affect saleability. Then apply the agreed AQL by defect class and sampling level.
For lab control, write pass/fail criteria against the method. Example acceptance basis: ISO 105-C06 wash fastness 3-4 minimum, ISO 105-X12 dry crocking 3 minimum, dimensional change after laundering within the agreed tolerance band, and pilling no worse than the agreed grade after the agreed number of cycles. If the buyer wants a tighter retail standard, specify it upfront; otherwise the mill will quote to a lower commercial threshold.
For packaging durability, add a simple transport test plan: carton compression check, drop orientation on corners and edges, and a humidity conditioning review if the CDU uses glued board or water-based inks. Pack failure modes are usually predictable: crushed corners, loose bag seals, split tuck flaps, scuffed print, and mixed shade cartons.
RFQ wording that prevents non-comparable quotes
Use direct wording. Do not ask for a “best price” and expect a usable answer. Ask the supplier to quote against fixed inputs so every line item can be compared.
Use this structure in the RFQ: Fabric basis = finished GSM or greige GSM, state clearly; fabric width = usable width in cm; finished size = length x width with tolerance; shrinkage allowance = target and test method; packing method = fold type, bag type, insert card size, CDU and master carton count; carton cube = internal dimensions and gross weight limit; palletization = yes/no, pallet size, stack height, and whether pallet cost is included; Incoterm = FOB Xiamen under Incoterms 2020; scope = list what is included and excluded line by line; QC standard = AQL, lab methods, and defect definitions; documents = commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration references, and any claim documentation if relevant.
A simple RFQ sentence you can copy: “Please quote FOB Xiamen under Incoterms 2020 for 150x200 cm coral fleece throws at 230 gsm finished fabric, stating the fabric basis, usable width, shrinkage allowance, cut size, fold method, CDU board grade and dimensions, insert card gsm, master carton size, carton gross weight limit, packing labour, inland delivery to port, export documentation, and whether palletization is included. Separate unit prices for fabric, sewing, packaging, and origin handling are required.”
For alternative pack structures that need a different costing logic, compare with 250gsm polar fleece throws with satin ribbon set packaging and cross-border e-commerce packs for microplush throws.
Common failure modes to catch before you place the order
The most expensive errors are rarely fabric defects alone. They are usually pack-system mistakes that pass a casual sample review and fail at scale. Watch for: wrong GSM basis being quoted as finished when it is greige; fold inconsistency that changes carton cube; barcode placement drift that causes scan failures; board crush in CDU corners; mixed shade cartons from insufficient shade grouping; trim roll-over on hems; and print scuffing on water-based artwork that did not fully cure.
For coral fleece specifically, brushing and shearing can leave a slight nap direction difference that changes handfeel and apparent shade. If the program has multiple colourways, request shade band control by lot and insist on a signed sealed sample. A supplier that cannot manage lot separation on coral fleece will struggle when the same programme adds printed insert cards, seasonal artwork, and tighter retail packing.
If you need a packaging-focused reference, see blanket care and washing guide for label content discipline and custom blanket lead times and shipping for how pack decisions affect schedule risk.
Buyer checklist before approving the FOB quote
Use this checklist before you approve the order: finished GSM basis confirmed; usable fabric width stated; finished size and tolerance stated; shrinkage allowance stated; fold method approved; CDU board grade, flute, and dimensions stated; insert card gsm and print coverage stated; master carton size and gross weight limit stated; FOB boundary written line by line; lab test method and pass criteria stated; AQL defect classes defined; shade control method defined; sample sign-off stored; recycled-content or claim documentation separated if relevant.
If any of those items are missing, the quote is not yet comparable. Ask the supplier to reissue it as a controlled commercial proposal, not a verbal estimate.
Frequently asked
Is 230gsm the right weight for a coral fleece throw sold in a CDU retail pack? It is a workable mid-range promotional weight. Around 230gsm finished fabric usually gives a softer, fuller hand than 180-200gsm, but without the shipping bulk of 280-300gsm. The trade-off is higher carton cube and slightly slower packing because the fold stack is thicker. If the buyer wants a lighter, lower-cost programme, 200-210gsm may be enough; if the retailer expects a more premium handfeel, 240-260gsm may be better.
Does FOB Xiamen include trucking to the port and export clearance? Under Incoterms 2020 FOB, the seller’s delivery obligation ends when the goods are on board the vessel at the named port. In practice, many China suppliers bundle inland trucking, export filing, and terminal-related origin work into the commercial FOB quote. Others show those items separately. That is why the RFQ must say what is included, rather than relying on the term alone.
How should I calculate the weight of one 150x200 cm throw at 230gsm? Use area multiplied by GSM: 1.5 m x 2.0 m = 3.0 m², and 3.0 x 230gsm = 690g. That is finished fabric weight for one ply only. It does not include seam allowance, hem trimming, label, insert card, polybag, CDU board, or carton. Shipped gross weight will be higher.
What is a sensible lab test package for coral fleece throws? For commercial buyers, common methods are ISO 105-C06 for wash fastness, ISO 105-X12 for dry rubbing, and a pilling method agreed with the buyer. Typical target levels are grade 3-4 or better for wash fastness and at least grade 3 for dry rubbing, depending on the colour and end market. If the pack includes printed art or labels, add print adhesion and barcode legibility checks.
What AQL should I use for CDU-pack throws? A common starting point is AQL 2.5 for major defects and AQL 4.0 for minor defects, but the defect definitions matter more than the number. Wrong product, missing insert card, wrong barcode, torn CDU, mixed shade, and open seams should be classified before inspection starts. AQL is for visual and count inspection, not for lab performance tests.
What should I ask for in an RFQ to avoid non-comparable quotes? State the fabric basis, usable width, finished size, shrinkage allowance, fold method, CDU board grade and dimensions, insert card gsm, master carton size, carton gross weight limit, packing method, palletization, Incoterm, and whether inland delivery and export handling are included. Ask the supplier to separate fabric, sewing, packaging, and origin-handling costs so you can compare apples to apples.
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