Sourcing Fabric: Los Angeles Stock vs. Mill-Direct from Asia
In-stock fabric from Los Angeles or mill-direct from Asia? How lead time, quantity, import duties and customization compare, and how to combine both.
Where your fabric ships from changes your cost, your lead time and how much risk you carry. Brands producing in the US usually buy from domestic stock; brands producing in Latin America or Asia often do better buying fabric that ships directly from the mill. Here is how to decide.
Option 1: In-stock fabric from Los Angeles
Buying from a domestic warehouse means the fabric already exists, has already cleared import, and can ship now.
- Speed: in-stock orders ship within days. At Rex, FedEx and UPS orders ship the same day from our Los Angeles warehouse, which holds over 4 million yards.
- Low commitment: sample from 1 yard and buy by the roll, instead of committing to a full mill production run.
- See before you buy: you can feel the actual fabric, order color cards or visit the showroom.
- Best for: sampling, development, small and mid-size runs, reorders and US-based production.
Option 2: Mill-direct from Asia
For larger programs, fabric can be produced at a partner mill and shipped straight to your factory, wherever it is.
- Lower landed cost: when fabric ships from Asia directly to a factory outside the US, it never enters the US, so no US import duties or tariffs are added to the price per yard. (The destination country may still apply its own duties.)
- Fewer shipping legs: one shipment from mill to factory instead of mill to US to factory.
- Custom development: made-to-order colors, weights and constructions developed for your line.
- Trade-offs: longer lead times and larger production quantities. At Rex, made-to-order samples take 2–3 weeks for approval and production and delivery to the US take 6–8 weeks.
- Best for: bulk production, especially when you cut and sew in Latin America or Asia.
Side by side
| In stock (Los Angeles) | Mill-direct (Asia) | |
|---|---|---|
| Lead time | Ships same day for FedEx/UPS orders | Weeks, depending on program |
| Quantity | From 1-yard samples to rolls | Production quantities |
| US import duties | Already included in domestic pricing | Not added when shipped outside the US |
| Customization | Choose from existing styles and colors | Custom colors, weights and constructions |
| Best for | Development, reorders, US production | Bulk production overseas |
The smart way: use both
Many brands combine the two. They develop and sample from in-stock fabric in Los Angeles, approve fit and color, then move the bulk order mill-direct to their factory in Mexico, Central America or Asia. Reorders and quick top-ups come from domestic stock. This keeps development fast and production costs low.
Producing in Mexico?
We work with many manufacturers across Mexico and have the logistics in place to ship fabric from Los Angeles to your workshop, with Spanish-speaking sales representatives. Trabajamos con muchos fabricantes en México.
Talk to us about your program
Tell us where you produce and your volumes, and we’ll recommend whether in-stock, mill-direct or a mix fits best. Ask about shipping and mill-direct orders, or request a custom fabric.
FAQ
Can Rex ship fabric directly to my factory overseas?
Yes. In-stock fabric ships worldwide from Los Angeles, and bulk or made-to-order programs can ship directly from our partner mills in Asia to your factory.
Does mill-direct fabric avoid tariffs?
Fabric shipped from Asia directly to a factory outside the US does not pay US import duties. Your destination country may still charge its own import duties and taxes.
What are the lead times for made-to-order fabric?
Samples for approval take 2–3 weeks, and production and delivery to the US take 6–8 weeks after approval.
Need help choosing a fabric?
Our team has 30+ years of experience matching fabrics to swimwear, activewear and dance programs. Tell us what you’re making.
