When sourcing and shipping sunglasses from China, it’s easy to get dazzled by flashy catalogs and low prices. But experienced buyers like Ron—especially those serving American retail markets—know that behind every smooth delivery lies a tight checklist. From quality lenses to tariff codes, and from UV certifications to secure packaging, the real magic happens long before your sunglasses reach the shelf.
To source and ship sunglasses successfully, buyers must focus on material quality, supplier reliability, regulatory compliance, protective packaging, and global freight logistics.
As the owner of a professional Chinese accessories factory, I’ve helped dozens of brands source and ship stylish sunglasses to the U.S. and Europe. Let’s walk through the essentials you need to know before placing that next bulk order.
What Materials Should You Look for in Quality Sunglasses?
Many buyers prioritize UV protection and style, but the core material determines performance, durability, and compliance.
Choose sunglasses made from polycarbonate, TR90, or acetate for lightweight, durable, and compliant designs.
Why Are Polycarbonate and TR90 Preferred Materials?
Polycarbonate is extremely impact-resistant and lightweight, making it the most popular choice for activewear and children's sunglasses. TR90, a flexible thermoplastic, is known for its comfort and shape retention. Brands that want more fashion-focused options often go with acetate, known for its gloss, depth of color, and hypoallergenic properties.
Many of our buyers choose TR90 sunglasses because of its flexibility in design and durability during transit. For lens material, look for scratch-resistant coatings and confirm UV400 compliance. The FDA’s guide to sunglasses also outlines minimum requirements for imported eyewear.
How Can Lens Quality Affect Compliance and Returns?
Subpar lenses may pass an initial check but fail during customs inspections or lead to returns. Lenses should block 99–100% of UVA and UVB rays and be tested per ISO 12312-1:2013 standards. European clients often require CE marking and REACH-compliant materials. U.S. buyers should ask for documentation proving UV400 and FDA compliance.
We work with local test labs to ensure the CE compliance process is handled before shipping bulk orders to the EU. For American importers, we include a Certificate of Conformity with each order.
How Do You Identify Reliable Sunglasses Manufacturers?
With a saturated market, finding the right factory partner is critical. A reliable manufacturer offers stable quality, clear documentation, and flexible logistics.
Select sunglasses suppliers with in-house quality control, design capabilities, and export experience to the U.S. and EU.
What Certifications Should a Good Supplier Hold?
Look for ISO9001 for quality systems, BSCI or SEDEX for ethical sourcing, and test reports for UV400, CE, or FDA compliance. Factories that manufacture for brands or large chains typically have audit documentation ready to show you.
We advise clients to confirm whether their sunglasses supplier offers in-house design and mold development or outsources it. Full-service factories like ours deliver better development speed and control.
Should You Ask for Production Lead Time and Sampling?
Absolutely. A trusted factory can provide accurate lead time, flexible minimum order quantity (MOQ), and fast prototyping. For example, our sampling process for custom sunglasses takes about 7 working days. Regular orders for 5,000+ pieces typically ship within 25–30 days. By asking the right questions early, you avoid delays later.
MOQ transparency and sample efficiency will tell you how well a factory handles real-world orders—not just pretty catalogs.
What Packaging Protects Sunglasses During Global Shipping?
Even the best-made sunglasses are worthless if they arrive scratched or broken. Smart packaging protects both product and reputation.
Use molded inserts, scratch-free pouches, and double-wall export cartons to prevent transit damage.
What Inner Packaging Is Best for Sunglasses?
We recommend microfiber pouches combined with rigid acetate boxes or molded EVA cases. These prevent lens scratching and frame bending. Many of our clients also opt for printed retail packaging for faster store deployment on arrival.
Standard units are packed 12 per inner box, with anti-shock partitions. For eco-conscious packaging, we offer recycled box options and soy-based ink printing to align with brand goals.
How Do You Avoid Carton Damage During International Freight?
Use export-grade cartons—5-layer corrugated boards with reinforced corners. Palletization is key for ocean or rail freight. Sunglasses should be shrink-wrapped and stretch-filmed on the pallet for stability.
Freight forwarders also offer container stuffing optimization to maximize space and reduce handling risk. At AceAccessory, we inspect every carton’s weight and seal strength before final loading.
What Logistics Details Should You Know Before Shipping?
Getting sunglasses across borders isn’t just about booking freight—it’s about regulatory codes, tariff handling, and timing.
Plan shipping routes, HS codes, and document compliance early to avoid clearance delays and cost overruns.
What HS Code and Tariff Classifications Apply to Sunglasses?
Sunglasses typically fall under HS Code 9004.10. For U.S. imports, they’re subject to regular MFN duties but may also fall under Section 301 tariffs if sourced from China. Most of our American clients use DDP shipping to lock in duty costs in advance.
You can check current U.S. duty rates using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule or consult with a licensed customs broker.
Should You Choose Air, Ocean, or Rail for Sunglasses?
For small-volume high-value sunglasses, air freight is efficient. For wholesale shipments over 2 CBM, ocean shipping is more cost-effective. Rail freight to Europe is increasingly popular due to faster lead times compared to sea.
We use platforms like Freightos or Flexport to compare rates and transit times. Our team advises each customer based on order size, urgency, and destination warehouse.
Conclusion
Sourcing and shipping sunglasses isn’t just about picking styles and booking space—it’s a full-scope operation that requires attention to material compliance, reliable manufacturing, smart packaging, and efficient logistics. When you work with a professional supplier like AceAccessory, you're not only getting trendy designs. You’re getting full-cycle support that helps you pass customs, avoid damages, and meet deadlines. As we’ve helped brands across the U.S., Europe, and Russia scale their accessory lines, one thing stays clear: success lies in the details.
