What exactly should the PO say for roll-packed donation blankets?
For 200gsm microfleece donation blankets FCA Xiamen, the PO should split requirements into five blocks: fabric, finished blanket, packing, inspection and handoff. A workable construction line would read: 100% polyester microfleece, warp knit or circular knit to be declared, target finished fabric mass 200gsm after brushing and finishing, one-side brushed/one-side antipill or two-side brushed/two-side antipill as specified, piece-dyed shade, 3-thread or 4-thread overlocked edges, finished size 130x180cm or 150x200cm, roll-packed. Avoid vague language such as "standard quality" or "export packing".
Microfleece needs its own definition in the PO. The word alone is too loose. Buyers should lock down at least: knit type (commonly warp-knit tricot style or circular-knit fleece base, depending on supplier line), pile/nap description (short raised nap, usually low pile compared with flannel or coral fleece, with brushed hand rather than long plush pile), and weight basis (GSM after brushing/finishing, not greige weight). If anti-pilling is required, say whether that means one-side or two-side anti-pill finish. If handfeel matters, ask for an approved bulk standard rather than only a written description. Compare this with broader fleece-programme thinking in fleece weight throw blanket programmes.
Do not use one tolerance to cover GSM, size and unit weight. These are separate controls. For fleece blankets, it is better to state fabric mass tolerance and finished blanket unit-weight tolerance separately. A realistic starting point is 200gsm ±5% for fabric mass and nominal finished blanket weight ±4% to ±6% per piece, excluding export carton and polybag but including sewing thread, care label, belly band or roll tie if that item stays with the unit. A blanket can pass GSM and still fail unit weight if the cut size is short. It can also pass unit weight by being oversized while the fabric itself is light.
Be precise on how GSM is measured. Acceptance should be based on conditioned fabric test swatches before cutting, not a rough calculation from packed blanket weight. A practical clause is: fabric mass determined in ISO 139 atmosphere, 20±2°C and 65±4% RH, using cut swatches to ISO 3801 or equivalent mass-per-unit-area method. State who tests and how often: supplier in-house checks each dye lot/knitting lot; buyer-nominated or third-party lab confirmation on pre-shipment samples from each inspection lot if required. A practical lot rule is one laboratory confirmation per colour lot or per production lot up to about 10,000 pcs, unless the buyer requests more frequent testing. For disputes, the buyer should name the referee lab in advance.
Worked piece-weight examples make quotation review much easier. At 200gsm, the base fabric mass is area x 200g/m². So a 130x180cm blanket has an area of 2.34m² and a nominal fabric mass of about 468g. A 150x200cm blanket has an area of 3.00m² and a nominal fabric mass of about 600g. Edge overlock, thread tails, care label and belly band usually add roughly 8-20g depending on edge style and trim. That puts a realistic nominal finished-piece target around 476-488g for 130x180cm and 608-620g for 150x200cm if using standard overlock and a paper belly band. If the blanket is tightly roll-packed with a reusable strap or heavier insert card, the sellable unit weight may increase further, but the PO should still distinguish net blanket weight from retail packed unit weight.
Size must also be tied to a method. Fleece relaxes after rolling and can move after washing. State whether the contractual size is finished unwashed or after one domestic wash cycle under an agreed method such as ISO 6330 home laundering protocols. For donation blankets, most buyers control finished unwashed size. A usable wording is: lay flat without stretching after at least 12 hours relaxation, measure centre length and centre width. Commercially realistic limits are usually 130x180cm ±2cm for compact relief issue and 150x200cm ±3cm for fuller adult coverage. State whether size tolerance is checked on sampled pieces under AQL rather than every piece. For example: inspect dimensions per ANSI/ASQ Z1.4, General Inspection Level II, AQL 2.5 major / 4.0 minor, with any piece outside tolerance counted as a defect.
Edge finish should match handling conditions. 3-thread overlock is common for cost-sensitive aid orders. 4-thread overlock gives better seam security if blankets will be redistributed several times or dragged on rough surfaces. Typical thread for this weight class is 150D/48F to 150D/96F polyester filament. For knitted fleece blanket edges, do not rely on ASTM D1683 alone. It is not a strong fit for overlocked blanket-edge acceptance. A clearer buyer-controlled method is to define an internal edge-seam pull test with fixed conditions, for example: 150mm specimen cut perpendicular to the edge, jaw separation 75mm, extension rate 100mm/min, clamp so the overlocked edge is centred, apply load to 70N for 10 seconds; pass if no complete seam run-off, no broken overedge chain causing edge release over 25mm, and seam opening at the cut edge not over 5mm. If the buyer wants a standard framework for sewn seam strength, cite ASTM D5034 seam-strength targets discussion only as background and keep the PO acceptance on the agreed blanket-edge protocol, because blanket overlock failure in use is usually about run-off and edge security, not classic woven seam slippage.
Packing language should be just as exact: roll direction, fold count before rolling, restraint type, whether units are individually polybagged or not, units per carton, carton dimensions, gross-weight cap, liner bag if any, shipping marks, barcode type, country-of-origin marking, lot coding and whether mixed-destination cartons are prohibited. Compression is not free. Tight roll-packing can reduce CBM, but if the density is too high the blankets recover slowly and carton faces may bulge. As a rough operating range, buyers often target carton pack density around 80-130kg/m³ for plain microfleece rolls. Beyond that, appearance complaints and rebound delay increase, especially after long sea transit in humid conditions.
Model PO clause block buyers can copy into tenders
Below is a practical clause block for relief blanket tenders. Buyers should still align it to destination compliance and legal review, but this wording is safer than broad descriptive text.
Construction: 100% polyester microfleece blanket, knit type to be declared by supplier, finished fabric mass 200gsm ±5% after brushing/finishing, one-side brushed one-side anti-pill unless otherwise approved. Finished size: 130x180cm ±2cm, or 150x200cm ±3cm, measured flat after 12h relaxation, without stretching. Fabric mass test: ISO 139 conditioning and ISO 3801 mass per unit area. Finished unit weight: nominal piece weight ±5%, excluding export packaging, including sewn labels, thread and any unit belly band. Substitution: no fibre, construction, finish, edge construction, packing method or carton spec substitution without written buyer approval. Over/under shipment: total order quantity 0 to +3% only if buyer-approved; each release lot 0 to +1%, no short shipment permitted on named emergency lots. Mixed packing: no mixed destination cartons and no mixed lot codes in one export carton unless specifically approved. Shade continuity: one approved bulk standard per colour; no mixing of visibly different lots within one consignee release. Documents required before each FCA release: commercial invoice, packing list, carton-range list, inspection report, export declaration evidence where applicable, COO if requested, and handoff receipt signed by buyer-nominated carrier or warehouse.
If the programme has call-off releases, add one more line: seller shall not dispatch to named FCA place until written release instruction is issued by buyer. This matters where finished stock waits for donor allocation or vessel booking.
For tenders with strict field counting, require carton count integrity: each carton must contain the exact PO unit count, no make-up cartons below standard count unless labelled as partial and pre-approved. That saves receiving teams from recounting every case.
For donation programmes, a short risk-priority clause list is worth adding to the PO header or commercial schedule. The clauses that most often create cost or claim exposure are: 1) named FCA delivery point not exact, causing trucking/warehouse fee disputes; 2) net blanket weight not separated from packed unit weight, causing shortage claims; 3) mixed lot or mixed destination cartons, causing field misallocation; 4) no approved shade standard, causing split-release mismatch; 5) carton gross weight too high, causing manual-handling damage and receiver rejection.
How should FCA Xiamen be written under Incoterms 2020?
Write the term in full: FCA [named place], Xiamen, China, Incoterms 2020. The named place cannot be vague. Risk transfer and loading obligations depend on whether the named place is the seller's premises or an off-site location such as a forwarder warehouse in Xiamen.
For this article, the cleanest structure is an off-site FCA handoff in Xiamen. If the mill is in Tongxiang, Zhejiang, that is fine operationally, but the contract should not say "FCA seller premises, Tongxiang" and call it FCA Xiamen. The seller can manufacture in Zhejiang, truck the goods to Xiamen, complete export clearance, and deliver at the buyer's nominated Xiamen forwarder warehouse, CFS or terminal receiving point. The named place should be that actual Xiamen handoff point.
Under FCA forwarder warehouse, Xiamen, China, Incoterms 2020, the seller bears the inland transport to the named place and export clearance. Delivery occurs when the goods are handed over to the carrier or other person nominated by the buyer at that named place. The contract should also state who unloads the truck, who pays receiving or handling fees, whether pallet exchange applies, and what signed receipt constitutes proof of delivery.
A workable operational clause is: seller delivers cargo on seller-arranged truck to buyer-nominated Xiamen forwarder warehouse; seller is responsible for export customs clearance and delivery to the named receiving point within the booked appointment window; unloading at the named place is by warehouse labour/equipment if that is the warehouse rule, with receiving, unloading and handling charges for buyer account unless otherwise stated in price schedule; risk transfers when the buyer-nominated warehouse or carrier issues a signed cargo receipt showing carton count, date/time and apparent good order. If the handoff point requires palletised delivery, specify pallet size, pallet count cap and whether stretch-wrapping is included.
If the named place were instead the seller's own premises, the effect changes: under FCA seller premises, the seller loads onto the buyer's collecting vehicle and risk transfers there. That is valid FCA, but it is not FCA Xiamen. Keep these structures separate so quotes remain comparable.
For NGO orders, add operational lines beyond the legal term: booking cut-off, pickup appointment window, handoff hours, free storage days after cargo-ready notice, weekend acceptance, missed-pickup treatment and demurrage-like warehouse storage after free days. These details cause more friction than the legal trade term itself.
Documentary evidence matters. For off-site FCA, useful release documents are commercial invoice, packing list, carton range list, export declaration or customs release evidence, warehouse receiving note, handoff receipt signed by buyer's nominated carrier/forwarder, and if required a cargo photo record with visible pallet or carton labels. If split lots are involved, each release should have its own document set and carton number range.
How should sourcing teams compare non-equivalent FCA Xiamen quotes?
Many suppliers quote "FCA Xiamen" but include different cost items. One offer may include trucking from Zhejiang to Xiamen, export declaration, warehouse receiving and pallet labels. Another may include only factory packing and list the rest as buyer cost. Unless you normalise these items, the lowest quote can become the highest landed cost.
Ask every supplier to break out at least these lines: fabric and sewing cost, unit packing cost, export carton cost, inland trucking to Xiamen, export clearance/document cost, Xiamen warehouse receiving/handling, palletisation if any, and storage after cargo-ready date. Then compare on the same handoff basis.
Also normalise the piece weight assumption. A quote for a 150x200cm blanket at 200gsm should not be benchmarked against a supplier who quietly cuts undersize to save weight. Use the worked nominal piece-weight table in the PO and reject offers that cannot explain the weight build-up from area, GSM and trim.
If one supplier proposes very high compression to reduce CBM, ask what recovery period is expected after de-cartoning. Roll-packed fleece can develop temporary crease memory and flattened nap. If retail appearance is irrelevant, aggressive compression may be acceptable. If distribution includes direct end-user presentation, moderate packing density is safer.
For carton planning, compare not only CBM but also manual handling. A smaller carton with lower cube can still be a bad choice if gross weight exceeds practical receiver limits. For many NGO warehouses and last-mile hand-unloading environments, buyers often cap export carton gross weight at about 18-22kg, with 20kg a common target. That usually gives better handling compliance than 25kg+ cartons even if freight efficiency drops slightly.
For reference on delivery timing and handoff planning, align commercial assumptions with custom blanket lead times and shipping rather than treating the FCA point as only a paperwork term.
Carton engineering targets for donation programmes
Do not leave carton engineering at "export standard". Relief and NGO channels often involve manual unloading, temporary storage, high humidity and repeated handling. State measurable carton requirements.
A practical starting point for 5-ply corrugated export cartons is board grade roughly in the range of BC flute or equivalent, subject to supplier line standards, with a BCT target often around 4-6kN for stackable dry-container export loads. Exact board selection depends on carton footprint, palletisation and warehouse stacking height. If cartons will be floor-loaded without pallets, state the expected stack height or number of tiers so the supplier can engineer accordingly.
Add moisture protection. A simple and effective clause is: one inner PE liner bag per export carton, nominal 0.04-0.06mm, carton sealed with 48-60mm BOPP tape on H-seal top and bottom. For humid-season shipping, this is usually better value than heavier board alone. If the buyer prohibits virgin poly, specify alternative recycled-content liner or paper moisture barrier, but test practicality first.
For handling, a workable target for donation blankets is often 10-20 pcs per carton depending on blanket size and packing density, with maximum gross weight 20kg preferred, 22kg hard cap. Typical dimensional limits for easier manual handling are around longest side not over 65cm and a practical carton around 55 x 40 x 35cm to 60 x 45 x 40cm, adjusted to the SKU and unit count. If the programme uses standard aid-pallet modules, give those dimensions to the supplier rather than letting carton shape drift.
Markings should include at minimum: buyer programme code, PO number, SKU, colour, destination code, carton number range, quantity per carton, gross/net weight, country of origin, and lot/batch code. For split-country programmes, use large side marks so warehouse staff can sort quickly without turning every carton.
If pallets are required, specify ISPM 15-compliant wooden pallets or plastic pallets as applicable, max pallet height, corner board requirement and stretch-wrap layers. If floor loading is preferred to save CBM, then carton compression testing matters even more because cartons take direct stack load during stuffing and transit.
Inspection, sampling and acceptance: make the PO operational
AQL language should tell the inspector exactly what to do. A practical default for donation blanket programmes is ANSI/ASQ Z1.4, General Inspection Level II, normal inspection, with defect classes defined in the quality manual. Many buyers use AQL 2.5 for major defects and AQL 4.0 for minor defects. If the programme is highly sensitive, tighten the major AQL, but be aware rejection rates and rework cost rise quickly.
State which checks are 100% and which are sample-based. For example, carton count, carton marks and metal-detection status if required can be checked 100%. Fabric GSM, finished dimensions, unit weight, workmanship and shade are usually sampled. Size tolerance is rarely measured on every piece for bulk relief blankets; it is normally checked on sampled pieces under the agreed AQL plan.
Set sampling frequency for lab-style checks. A workable routine is: in-line supplier checks each knitting/dye lot; final random inspection per shipment lot; third-party or buyer-nominated lab confirmation on one sample set per colour lot or every 5,000-10,000 pcs, depending on risk and budget. If the buyer wants no split-lot shade variation, sample each release lot separately even if the colour name is the same.
For shade continuity, subjective wording is not enough. Use approved lab dip or bulk standard swatch as the reference, keep one signed control at supplier and one at buyer/inspector, and evaluate visual shade under D65 light source plus store-light check if relevant. Then state the acceptance rule: visual shade acceptance by production lot, and no visibly different lots mixed within one release or consignee lot. If there will be multiple future call-offs, ask for a retained bulk standard from first approved production. Buyers handling recycled fibres may also find related controls useful in shade continuity guidance for fleece programmes.
Use a short sample release matrix before mass production. This is more effective than long email chains. Example minimum columns are shown below: sample stage | purpose | key checks | qty | approval owner | ship/submit date | status. Example values: Lab dip | colour approval | shade under D65, crocking risk | 3 options/colour | buyer | 3 days from artwork | approved; Proto blanket | construction approval | GSM, handfeel, edge finish, roll method | 1-2 pcs | buyer + QA | before bulk yarn booking | approved with comments; PP sample | bulk standard | actual lot fabric, labels, carton marks | 2-3 pcs | buyer + inspector | before mass sewing | approved; TOP sample | production verification | workmanship, shade continuity | 2 pcs/colour lot | buyer/third party | 20-30% output | review; Shipment sample | file retain | final packed unit and carton photo | 1 set/SKU | supplier + buyer | before FCA handoff | archive.
For general QC structure, buyers can cross-check with blanket quality control inspection and with practical AQL logic from AQL inspection checklist examples.
Compliance block for donation buyers
Donation blankets still need a basic compliance screen, even if they are not premium retail goods. The required package depends on destination and user group, but the PO should at least state the buyer's restricted-substance expectations and care-label language requirements.
A practical baseline for many markets is: REACH Annex XVII restricted substances review for EU-bound goods, azo amine screening where coloured goods are supplied, and formaldehyde limits in line with buyer policy or destination expectation. If goods may reach the US consumer channel or children's use, review whether CPSIA tracking label and additional substance limits are relevant. For printed or deeply dyed fleece, buyers often also ask for rubbing and wash-fastness checks so that dark shades do not migrate during use. Relevant background articles include REACH azo screening and CPSIA tracking label expectations.
Flammability is destination-specific. Plain polyester fleece blankets can trigger questions in some markets or institutional channels. If the destination requires a textile flammability check, state the applicable standard in the PO rather than assuming generic compliance. For US apparel-textile style screening, buyers sometimes ask for 16 CFR Part 1610 review; for transport or hospitality programmes, the requirement may be different. Do not claim flame-retardant performance unless the product and chemistry are specifically designed and tested for it.
Care labels should be written in the destination language set required by the buyer and should match actual care performance. At minimum, state fibre content, country of origin, washing instruction symbols/text, and buyer programme code or trace code. If individual polybags are used, add any legally required suffocation warning text for the destination channel. If no polybag is used, make sure the unit still carries traceability by sewn label or belly band plus carton linkage.
If the order is for emergency field deployment, ask whether the buyer prohibits added fragrances, heavy softener odour or loose paper inserts. These are not usually legal failures, but they create avoidable complaints in camp or shelter distribution.
Roll packing, polybag choice and compression trade-offs
Roll-packed blankets can save cube and speed counting, but the method has to be specified. Buyers should state whether blankets are individually polybagged, belly-banded only, strapped only, or packed loose in export cartons. For humanitarian orders, individual polybags can improve cleanliness and carton-level recounting, but they add material cost, disposal burden and can trap residual moisture if packing is rushed after finishing.
A practical unit-pack decision tree is simple. Use no individual polybag if the goods move quickly in sealed export cartons and the receiver does not need clean one-by-one issue. Use thin individual polybags, often around 0.025-0.04mm, if the cartons may be opened and resealed multiple times or if units will be redistributed at piece level. Use paper belly bands if branding or SKU identification matters but the programme wants lower plastic use. For cleaner retail-style presentation, look at belly-band packed microfleece examples.
Compression should be discussed in numbers. Moderate roll-packing often gives acceptable recovery. Heavy compression can reduce cube further, but if the blankets are held compressed for weeks, the raised nap may look flat and the roll can ovalise. For basic 200gsm microfleece, a sensible trial is to set a packed roll diameter range and carton fill count rather than asking the factory to "compress as much as possible". If vacuum or extreme compression is proposed, ask for a retained sample after 7-14 days packed ageing to check recovery and edge impression.
If appearance matters after unpacking, define a recovery standard, for example: blankets to recover to flat-lay presentation within 12-24 hours at ambient conditions after de-cartoning, with no permanent creasing, edge distortion or severe nap crush. If appearance does not matter because the programme is purely warmth-driven, this clause can be softened and CBM can take priority.
Frequently asked
How should 'microfleece' be defined in a PO? State the knit type, brushing/anti-pill finish by side, and that the 200gsm is the finished weight after brushing and finishing. 'Microfleece' alone is too broad for comparison across suppliers.
What is the nominal piece weight of a 200gsm microfleece blanket? As a worked guide, 130x180cm at 200gsm is about 468g fabric mass before sewing trim, and 150x200cm is about 600g. Overlock, labels and belly band often add roughly 8-20g per piece, so the finished target should be written separately from fabric GSM.
Should size be checked on every blanket? Usually no. Most bulk programmes use sampled inspection under ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 or equivalent AQL rules. The PO should say that dimensions are sampled and any piece outside tolerance counts as a defect.
What seam test is suitable for overlocked fleece blanket edges? For knitted blanket edges, an agreed internal edge-pull method is usually clearer than relying on ASTM D1683. State specimen size, clamp spacing, load, hold time and pass/fail criteria such as no complete run-off and limited seam opening.
Who should perform GSM and compliance testing? Use supplier in-house checks during production, then confirm critical items by a buyer-nominated or third-party lab at agreed frequency, often by colour lot or shipment lot. Name the referee lab route in the PO if disputes are likely.
What should FCA Xiamen include under Incoterms 2020? The contract should name the exact Xiamen delivery point, make clear that the seller handles inland transport to that point and export clearance, and define who unloads, who pays warehouse handling charges and what receipt proves handoff.
What carton spec is reasonable for donation blankets? A common starting point is a 5-ply export carton with moisture liner, around 18-22kg gross-weight limit, and dimensions that one or two workers can handle safely. If cartons will be floor-loaded or stacked high, ask for a BCT or equivalent strength target.
Do donation blankets still need REACH or CPSIA review? Often yes, depending on destination and user group. At minimum, buyers usually define restricted-substance expectations such as REACH-related checks, azo/formaldehyde screening where relevant, and traceable care-label content.
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