| Product Classification | Adult disposable diapers and similar absorbent hygiene products are commonly classified under HS heading 9619. The exact tariff subheading depends on the importing country and product construction. | Confirm the proposed HS code with the customs broker or importer before shipment. | Commercial invoice, packing list, product specification sheet, and customs classification confirmation. | Required |
| Absorbency Specification | Absorbency should be stated using a defined test method, because “high absorbency” is not a standardized commercial measurement. Product descriptions commonly distinguish light, moderate, heavy, and overnight-use variants. | Ask for absorption capacity, rewet performance, leakage performance, and the test method used. | Technical data sheet and independent or in-house test report with test conditions. | Required |
| Available Sizes | Typical adult diaper size ranges include waist or hip measurements such as medium, large, extra-large, and extended sizes. Actual measurements differ by pattern and manufacturer. | Request a size chart showing waist range, hip range, product length, core width, and allowable tolerance. | Approved size chart and pre-production sample for each selected size. | Required |
| Core and Materials | Common components include fluff pulp, superabsorbent polymer, nonwoven topsheet, breathable backsheet, elastics, fastening tabs, and acquisition layers. | Confirm material composition, latex status, fragrance status, skin-contact materials, and whether recycled content is used. | Material declaration, safety data where applicable, and component approval record. | Required |
| Quality Control | Core checks normally cover dimensions, absorbency, rewet, leakage, fastening strength, elastic recovery, odor, packaging integrity, and visual defects. | Confirm inspection frequency, sampling plan, defect classification, traceability, and corrective-action process. | Quality manual, inspection checklist, batch record, and pre-shipment inspection report. | Required |
| Product Compliance | Requirements vary by destination. Importers may need chemical, labeling, packaging, consumer-safety, and environmental documentation under local law. | Provide the destination country and ask for a compliance gap review before mass production. | Applicable test reports, declarations, labeling artwork, and country-specific compliance checklist. | Required |
| Private Label Artwork | Private label projects generally require print-ready packaging artwork, approved colors, barcode information, product claims, size details, and legally required importer or manufacturer information. | Confirm accepted file formats, artwork approval stages, color proofing, barcode placement, and responsibility for regulatory text. | Artwork approval form, digital proof, color proof, and final packaging specification. | Recommended |
| Private Label Minimum Order | Minimum order quantities are normally higher for custom packaging, custom printing, special materials, or a new product specification than for standard products. | Request separate minimum quantities for standard goods, custom packaging, custom product construction, and each size or absorbency level. | Written quotation showing MOQ by SKU, packaging format, and production configuration. | Required |
| Sample and Development Lead Time | Simple stock samples are usually faster than customized samples. Custom absorbency structures and printed packaging add development and approval stages. | Obtain a timeline covering sample preparation, artwork approval, pre-production approval, mass production, and final inspection. | Milestone schedule with responsible parties and approval deadlines. | Recommended |
| Production Lead Time | Lead time depends on order quantity, raw-material availability, packaging customization, factory capacity, and inspection requirements. It should be treated as a quoted production schedule rather than a universal fixed period. | Confirm whether lead time starts after deposit, artwork approval, or raw-material approval. | Signed purchase order, production schedule, and raw-material reservation confirmation. | Required |
| Trade Terms | Common Incoterms include EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA, and DAP. Each term allocates different responsibilities for transport, insurance, export clearance, and import clearance. | Compare quotations using the same Incoterm, named place, currency, packaging scope, and shipment assumptions. | Pro forma invoice identifying the Incoterm version and named location. | Required |
| Ocean Freight | For large-volume orders, ocean freight is commonly used because it generally offers a lower transport cost per unit than air freight. Transit time varies by port pair, routing, season, and congestion. | Confirm port of loading, destination port, estimated transit time, sailing frequency, container type, and local destination charges. | Freight quotation, routing plan, booking confirmation, bill of lading, and container loading record. | Recommended |
| Air and Express Freight | Air or express freight is more suitable for samples, urgent replenishment, or small shipments. The chargeable weight may be based on actual or volumetric weight, depending on the carrier. | Confirm chargeable-weight formula, fuel surcharge, customs handling, delivery area, and whether duties or taxes are included. | Airfreight or courier quotation with chargeable-weight calculation and service scope. | Optional |
| Packaging Efficiency | Carton dimensions, units per carton, gross weight, net weight, pallet pattern, and container loading plan directly affect freight cost and warehouse capacity. | Request carton dimensions and loading quantities for each size and packaging configuration. | Packing specification, carton marking artwork, pallet plan, and loading diagram. | Required |
| Payment Terms | International orders may use a deposit and balance structure, documentary payment, or another mutually agreed arrangement. The exact terms should be linked to production and inspection milestones. | Clarify deposit percentage, balance timing, payment method fees, bank details, and conditions for releasing shipping documents. | Signed sales contract, pro forma invoice, and payment milestone schedule. | Required |
| Factory Verification | Supplier assessment should verify legal identity, manufacturing capability, quality systems, export experience, production equipment, and subcontracting arrangements. | Confirm whether production is performed at the stated facility and whether any process is outsourced. | Business registration documents, factory audit report, production photographs, and video or on-site audit records. | Required |
| Capacity and Continuity | Capacity should be evaluated against the buyer’s peak demand, not only the average monthly order. Backup sources for key materials can reduce disruption risk. | Ask for available lines, operating shifts, monthly capacity range, maintenance planning, and raw-material backup arrangements. | Capacity statement, production plan, equipment list, and business-continuity procedure. | Recommended |
| After-Sales and Claims | A written claim process should define notification time, evidence requirements, investigation steps, replacement or credit options, and responsibility for verified defects. | Agree on acceptable quality limits, claim deadlines, retained samples, and corrective-action response time. | Quality agreement, claim procedure, corrective-action report, and batch traceability records. | Required |
| Supplier Selection Scorecard | A practical comparison can score product quality, compliance, total landed cost, MOQ flexibility, lead time, communication, shipping capability, private label support, and financial risk. | Use the same questions, specifications, and commercial assumptions for every shortlisted supplier. | Weighted supplier scorecard, quotation comparison, sample evaluation sheet, and audit results. | Recommended |
