Cashmere Bulk Pricing: How Wholesale Costs Scale by Volume, Gauge, and Grade
Cashmere pricing isn't just per-piece cost — it scales with volume, gauge, ply, and grade. Full pricing breakdown for 100-piece to 10,000-piece orders, with formulas B2B buyers can use to negotiate.
Cashmere Bulk Pricing: How Wholesale Costs Scale by Volume, Gauge, and Grade
Cashmere pricing is rarely as simple as “USD X per piece”. A complete wholesale quote depends on volume, gauge, ply, grade, garment construction, and lead time. This guide breaks down each variable so you can budget accurately and negotiate effectively.
The pricing formula
A simplified formula for cashmere bulk pricing:
Total cost = (Fiber cost × Weight × Conversion loss) +
(Spinning × Weight) +
(Knitting time × Operator rate) +
(Hand-linking minutes × Operator rate) +
(Finishing per piece) +
(Label suite cost) +
(Packaging cost) +
(QC inspection time × rate) +
(Factory overhead amortized) +
(Factory margin)Variables that matter most: fiber cost (50-70% of total), gauge (12gg vs 16gg changes knitting time 40%), and volume (set-up costs amortize across more pieces).
Price tables by garment type and volume
All prices are FOB Tianjin for Grade A 14.0-15.5μm fiber. Subject to fiber market fluctuations.
Crew-neck pullover (380g, 12gg, 2-ply worsted)
| Volume | Per piece (USD) | Setup fee | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 pieces | $78-92 | $400 | 40-45 days |
| 300 pieces | $62-74 | $200 | 30-35 days |
| 500 pieces | $54-66 | waived | 25-30 days |
| 1,000 pieces | $48-58 | waived | 25-30 days |
| 3,000 pieces | $42-50 | waived | 25-30 days |
| 5,000+ pieces | $36-44 | waived | 30-35 days |
Cardigan (450g, 12gg, 2-ply, with buttons)
Add 15-20% to crew-neck pricing. Button installation adds labor.
V-neck pullover (350g, 14gg, 2-ply)
10-15% cheaper than crew-neck (less yarn).
Cashmere scarf (180g, woven, 30×180cm)
| Volume | Per piece (USD) |
|---|---|
| 100 pieces | $32-42 |
| 500 pieces | $22-30 |
| 1,000 pieces | $18-26 |
| 5,000 pieces | $14-20 |
Cashmere hat (80g, 12gg, hand-finished)
| Volume | Per piece (USD) |
|---|---|
| 100 pieces | $24-32 |
| 500 pieces | $16-22 |
| 1,000 pieces | $13-18 |
| 5,000 pieces | $10-14 |
Cashmere gloves (60g pair, 14gg)
| Volume | Per pair (USD) |
|---|---|
| 100 pairs | $26-34 |
| 500 pairs | $18-24 |
| 1,000 pairs | $15-20 |
Gauge impact on pricing
The gauge (needles per inch) directly affects knitting time and yarn consumption:
| Gauge | Knitting time per piece | Yarn consumption | Per-piece cost impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7gg (chunky) | 25 minutes | 380g | baseline |
| 12gg (medium) | 35-45 minutes | 350g | +20-30% |
| 14gg (fine) | 55-70 minutes | 320g | +40-50% |
| 16gg (very fine) | 80-100 minutes | 300g | +60-80% |
| 18gg (ultra-fine) | 120+ minutes | 280g | +100% |
A 16gg sweater costs ~60% more than a 7gg sweater of the same weight, because of machine time.
Ply impact
Ply refers to yarn construction: 2-ply is two strands twisted together, 3-ply is three, etc.
- 2-ply (most common): standard hand-feel, balanced durability and softness
- 3-ply: more durable, slightly more structured, 15-20% higher cost
- 4-ply: winter weight, premium feel, 30-40% higher cost
- Single-ply: lightweight, fine, lower cost but more delicate
For wholesale buyers, 2-ply is the default. 3-ply makes sense for autumn/winter collections. 4-ply is reserved for capsule premium collections.
Fiber grade pricing breakdown
| Grade | Micron range | Fiber cost (USD/kg) | Garment FOB impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 14.0-15.5μm | $75-120 | Premium (baseline) |
| B | 15.5-16.5μm | $50-75 | -25% |
| C | 16.5-19.0μm | $30-50 | -45% |
| Blend (cashmere/wool) | varies | $25-60 | -40% |
A Grade C cashmere sweater can be 40-50% cheaper than Grade A, but hand-feel and durability drop significantly.
Volume discounts: how to negotiate
Cashmere suppliers typically discount at these thresholds:
- 100 pieces: setup fees apply, per-piece premium
- 300 pieces: setup fee often waived
- 500 pieces: 10-15% off 100-piece pricing
- 1,000 pieces: 20-25% off
- 3,000 pieces: 30-35% off
- 5,000+ pieces: 40-45% off
Negotiation tactics:
- First order 100 pieces as a “quality check” at premium pricing
- Second order 300-500 pieces with 10% volume discount
- Annual commitment to 2,000+ pieces unlocks 30% discount
- Off-peak production (Feb-Apr, Aug-Sep) gets 5-10% extra discount
- Multi-style bundle (e.g., 500 of 3 styles = 1,500 total) often gets volume discount on full bundle
Hidden costs to budget for
Beyond per-piece pricing, budget for:
- Sample fees: $50-150/piece, often 50-100% credited toward bulk
- Setup: $200-600 per style (yarn lot minimum, machine programming, label production)
- Custom labels: $0.40-0.80/piece for full label suite
- Custom packaging: $1-3/piece for boxes, tissue, ribbon
- AQL inspection: $0.10-0.30/piece for third-party QC
- Sample shipping: $50-200 via DHL/FedEx
- Bulk shipping: 5-12% of FOB value depending on volume and destination
Total add-on costs: typically 10-20% on top of FOB pricing.
Payment terms impact on total cost
Most cashmere suppliers offer:
- 30% deposit + 70% before shipment (standard)
- 50/50 split (less common)
- Letter of Credit (adds 1-2% bank fee)
- Net 30 after delivery (rare for new buyers, requires trust)
T/T 30/70 is the wholesale norm. L/C adds cost but enables larger credit lines.
Negotiation leverage
You have leverage when:
- You’re ordering 3+ styles (volume per style still adds up)
- You can give a 6-month production forecast (factory capacity planning matters)
- You’re willing to accept stock yarn (saves 7-10 days spinning lead time)
- You don’t need private label (use stock label, save $0.40-0.80/piece)
- You’re flexible on delivery (off-peak orders get better pricing)
The factory has leverage when:
- Fiber prices are rising (your quote is locked in)
- Peak season (Oct-Dec) capacity is full
- Your spec is complex (unusual gauge, hard-to-find colors)
- Your order is small (under 100 pieces)
How to read a cashmere quote
A complete quote should include:
- Fiber grade specified (Grade A/B/C, micron range)
- Yarn spec (count, ply, composition)
- Gauge (needles per inch)
- Garment weight (grams per piece, finished)
- Per-piece FOB price at your order volume
- Setup fee (one-time, per style)
- Sample fee (per piece, credit policy)
- Lead time (sample + bulk)
- Payment terms (T/T, L/C, deposit %)
- Validity period (typically 30 days)
- Color/finish options (custom vs stock)
- Quality standard (AQL sampling plan)
If any of these are missing, ask. A quote missing grade or micron count is a red flag.
Our pricing at DONGXIAO®
Grade A 14.0-15.5μm fiber, MOQ 100 pieces per style, FOB Tianjin:
- 12gg crew-neck pullover (380g): $62-78/piece at 500 pieces, $48-58/piece at 1,000 pieces
- 14gg V-neck pullover (320g): $54-68/piece at 500 pieces, $42-52/piece at 1,000 pieces
- Cashmere scarf (180g, 30×180cm): $22-30/piece at 500 pieces, $18-26/piece at 1,000 pieces
Sample: $80/piece (credited toward first bulk order). Bulk lead time: 25-30 days. Payment: T/T 30/70.
Frequently asked questions about cashmere wholesale pricing
Buyers shopping for wholesale cashmere often ask the same questions about per-piece cost, MOQ, and pricing tiers. These quick answers help you size up a quote in minutes. For line-item pricing or a factory-direct quotation, see our bulk order form.
What does a cashmere sweater actually cost wholesale in 2026?
Cashmere sweater wholesale cost per unit ranges from USD 36 to 92 at FOB Tianjin for Grade A 14.0–15.5μm fiber, depending on gauge, ply, and order volume. At 1,000 pieces of a 12-gauge crew-neck pullover (380 g, 2-ply worsted), expect USD 48–58 per piece. At 5,000+ pieces the same garment drops to USD 36–44. Lower gauges (16–18 gg) and finer micron counts (14.0 μm) add 40–100% on top of the 7 gg baseline. Always check whether the quote specifies micron range, gauge, ply, and garment weight — missing line items are the most common source of price surprises.
What is the minimum order quantity for cashmere from a factory?
Cashmere manufacturer minimum order quantity is typically 100 pieces per style for OEM/ODM orders, though some factories accept 50 pieces per style at a 15–25% per-piece premium. Setup fees (yarn lot minimum, machine programming, label production) amortize across larger runs, so factories price small orders higher per piece. At 300 pieces setup fees are often waived; at 500+ pieces volume discounts of 10–15% kick in. For first-time buyers, ordering 100 pieces as a quality-check sample run is the standard approach.
Is factory-direct pricing cheaper than going through a middleman?
Factory-direct pricing is typically 20–35% cheaper per piece than buying through a trading company, importer, or distributor. A middleman adds margin for sourcing, QC, warehousing, and financing — usually 15–25% on top of FOB. The trade-off is that factory-direct buyers handle their own QC, shipping logistics, and customs clearance. For first-time buyers without a sourcing partner, a trading company can be worth the premium if it provides on-the-ground inspection. For repeat orders with established factories, factory-direct is the lower-cost path.
How is cashmere bulk pricing calculated per kilogram of yarn?
Cashmere yarn is priced USD 50–120 per kg of dehaired top depending on grade (Grade A 14.0–15.5 μm commands the premium, Grade B 15.5–16.5 μm is mid-tier, Grade C 16.5–19.0 μm is entry). A 380 g 12 gg sweater consumes roughly 0.42 kg of finished yarn after dehairing and spinning loss, so fiber cost alone is USD 21–50 per garment. Add spinning, knitting, linking, finishing, and factory margin to reach the wholesale FOB price. Spinning loss (5–8%) and knitting loss (3–5%) should be factored into yarn order quantities.
What hidden costs should I budget beyond the FOB price?
Beyond per-piece FOB pricing, cashmere import tax and add-on costs typically add 10–20% on top. Common line items: sample fees USD 50–150 per piece (often credited toward bulk), setup USD 200–600 per style, custom labels USD 0.40–0.80 per piece, custom packaging USD 1–3 per piece, third-party AQL inspection USD 0.10–0.30 per piece, sample shipping DHL/FedEx USD 50–200, bulk shipping 5–12% of FOB depending on destination and volume, plus import duty and VAT in the destination market. For US imports, expect Section 301 tariffs on cashmere knitwear (HTS 6110).
How do I negotiate a lower per-piece price without sacrificing quality?
Three proven levers: volume (move from 500 to 1,000 pieces for a 20–25% per-piece discount), flexibility (off-peak production Feb–Apr or Aug–Sep adds 5–10% discount), and bundling (multi-style orders totaling 1,500+ pieces often qualify for volume pricing on the full bundle). Avoid negotiating on grade — pushing a Grade A supplier down to Grade B pricing usually means Grade B fiber, not the same yarn at lower margin. Real grade verification: ask for a micron test certificate from the fiber batch, and compare against your reference swatch.
Related guides
- Why Cashmere Costs USD 8-50 per Piece — Cost line items
- Cashmere Yarn Count Explained — How count affects cost
- Custom Cashmere Knitwear Supplier — OEM/ODM workflow
Quick answers from this article
- What does a cashmere sweater actually cost wholesale in 2026?
- Cashmere sweater wholesale cost per unit ranges from USD 36 to 92 at FOB Tianjin for Grade A 14.0–15.5μm fiber, depending on gauge, ply, and order volume. At 1,000 pieces of a 12-gauge crew-neck pullover (380 g, 2-ply worsted), expect USD 48–58 per piece. At 5,000+ pieces the same garment drops to USD 36–44. Lower gaug
- What is the minimum order quantity for cashmere from a factory?
- Cashmere manufacturer minimum order quantity is typically 100 pieces per style for OEM/ODM orders, though some factories accept 50 pieces per style at a 15–25% per-piece premium. Setup fees (yarn lot minimum, machine programming, label production) amortize across larger runs, so factories price small orders higher per
- Is factory-direct pricing cheaper than going through a middleman?
- Factory-direct pricing is typically 20–35% cheaper per piece than buying through a trading company, importer, or distributor. A middleman adds margin for sourcing, QC, warehousing, and financing — usually 15–25% on top of FOB. The trade-off is that factory-direct buyers handle their own QC, shipping logistics, and cust
- How is cashmere bulk pricing calculated per kilogram of yarn?
- Cashmere yarn is priced USD 50–120 per kg of dehaired top depending on grade (Grade A 14.0–15.5 μm commands the premium, Grade B 15.5–16.5 μm is mid-tier, Grade C 16.5–19.0 μm is entry). A 380 g 12 gg sweater consumes roughly 0.42 kg of finished yarn after dehairing and spinning loss, so fiber cost alone is USD 21–50 p
