Production & delivery timeline
Period Underwear Production & Delivery - From Sample to Shelf
Your custom period underwear, manufactured in Shantou and shipped on your timeline.
LJ Underwear produces custom period underwear and period swimwear for private-label brands across 28 countries. Every order moves through the same three gates: a 72-hour first sample from an approved tech pack, 25-50 days of bulk production by order volume, and shipment from Shenzhen to your destination, whether that is an Amazon fulfillment center in the US or a 3PL in Berlin.
This page covers production lead times, shipping routes, Incoterms, and the variables that move your timeline. For packaging specifications, see our Amazon FBA packaging page.
Incoterms & routes
How We Ship - Incoterms & Routes
A manufacturer's delivery promise is only meaningful when the terms are explicit. The table below maps the two standard shipping routes and where responsibility transfers at each stage.
| Stage | Amazon FBA - United States | DDP - EU, UK & Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Origin handling | Shenzhen facility | Shenzhen consolidation |
| Packaging | FBA-compliant prep, with details on the packaging page | Market-specific labeling |
| Freight | Ocean or air to assigned US fulfillment center | Ocean or air to destination FBA or 3PL |
| Customs & duty | Paid by buyer at US port; we provide commercial invoice and packing list | Paid by us under DDP, landed cost inclusive |
| Delivery to shelf | Direct to Amazon inbound | Direct to EU/UK/CA FBA or 3PL |
| Default Incoterm | FOB Shenzhen | DDP destination |
| Alternative terms | EXW on request | EXW / FOB on request |
Amazon FBA Route - United States
For US brands, orders ship from our Shenzhen facility to the assigned Amazon fulfillment center. Packaging and labeling are completed to Amazon inbound standards before the goods leave Shenzhen; the full packaging specification is documented on our Amazon FBA packaging page.
The buyer receives tracking once the shipment is tendered to the forwarder. Customs clearance at the US port is handled by the buyer's broker using the commercial invoice and packing list we provide with every shipment.
DDP Route - EU, UK & Canada
For European and Canadian brands, the default term is DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). Import duty, VAT or GST, and last-mile freight to the destination FBA or 3PL are included in the quoted landed cost. The buyer does not handle a separate customs step.
Compliance documents, including PFAS-free test reports, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I certificates, and market-specific declarations, are available on our certifications page.
Indicative lead time
Production Lead Time by Sample and Volume
Lead time figures below are indicative benchmarks based on confirmed repeat programs. Actual dates are set per purchase order after tech-pack review and capacity confirmation.
| Milestone | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First sample | 72 hours | From an approved tech pack. A representative unit for fit and absorbency review. |
| Pre-production sample | 7 days | Uses the same materials and construction planned for bulk. Required for sign-off before bulk cutting. |
| Bulk ≤ 20,000 pcs | 25-35 days | Counted from PP sample confirmation, not from first inquiry. |
| Bulk ≤ 100,000 pcs | 35-50 days | Confirmed per PO after tech-pack and capacity review. |
How These Ranges Work
The ranges move with SKU complexity, material readiness, and QC cadence. A single-style, single-fabric program using stocked core fabrics sits at the lower end. A multi-SKU program with custom-dyed fabrics, printed artwork, and bonded barrier layers sits at the upper end.
A 30% deposit locks production capacity and the line slot at PO confirmation. Programs with pre-stocked core fabrics move faster because materials can be staged before repeat production.
MOQ & Reorder
Period panties start from 50 pcs per color per size, with reorder gradients at 100 and 500 pcs. Period swimwear starts from 100 pcs per color. Nursing bras, plus size bras, and incontinence underwear follow a 50 pcs per color per size starting point.
Lower first orders are possible on existing block patterns; the quote states the applicable MOQ per style.
Sample to shelf
From Sample to Bulk - The Production Flow
This five-step flow maps the buyer's review, factory production, QC, and shipment handover to a single delivery route.
Tech Pack & NDA
The buyer shares a tech pack under a signed mutual NDA. No pattern work starts before the NDA is in place. The tech pack should include style drawings, material specifications, size chart, and absorbency requirements.
72-Hour First Sample
A representative first sample is produced on our Shantou production floor and shipped for fit and absorbency review. Custom fabrics, if specified, are sourced in parallel and integrated at the PP sample stage.
PP Sample Confirmation
A pre-production sample confirms materials, construction, artwork placement, and sizing before bulk cutting begins. This is the last checkpoint before the production line is committed.
Bulk Production with AQL 2.5
Bulk runs on dedicated sewing lines with inline QC checks at each production stage. A final AQL 2.5 inspection gates every order before finishing. See our QC process page.
Shipment Handoff
Goods are packaged to destination requirements and handed off to the forwarder in Shenzhen. For Amazon sellers, detailed packaging requirements are covered on our Amazon FBA packaging page.
Timeline variables
What Moves Your Timeline
These four variables determine whether your order ships at the lower or upper end of the lead time range.
Material Readiness
Stocked core fabrics and bonded membranes start immediately. Imported or custom-dyed materials add lead time before the first cut. If your program requires a fabric outside our standard library, factor in 7-14 additional days for sourcing and lab-dip approval.
SKU Complexity
A single-style, single-fabric run is the fastest path through production. Every additional SKU, especially those with printed artwork, bonded barrier layers, or non-standard size runs, adds production days.
Artwork & Packaging Files
Custom printed waistbands, woven labels, and branded packaging components are sourced in parallel with production. If packaging artwork is still in revision when bulk cutting starts, packaging procurement can become the critical path.
QC Cadence
Inline inspection keeps issues off the critical path. Final-only AQL 2.5 is faster to schedule but leaves less room to rework if issues are found. Our default is inline inspection at each production stage plus a final AQL 2.5 gate.
Delivery FAQ
FAQ - Delivery, Lead Time, and Shipping
Short answers for buyers planning period underwear production, shipping routes, MOQ, seasonal timing, and urgent freight options.
How long does it take to manufacture custom period underwear?
72 hours for the first sample and 25-50 days for bulk production from sample confirmation, depending on order volume. These are indicative benchmarks; the confirmed date is set per purchase order after tech-pack and capacity review.
What is the difference between your two shipping routes?
The US route ships FOB Shenzhen to the buyer's assigned Amazon fulfillment center, and the buyer handles US customs clearance. The EU/UK/CA route ships DDP to the destination FBA or 3PL, with customs, duty, and last-mile freight included in the landed cost.
What Incoterms do you offer?
DDP to destination is the default for EU, UK, and Canada. FOB Shenzhen is standard for the US. EXW and other terms are available on request for buyers who prefer to manage freight directly.
How does MOQ affect lead time?
MOQ does not directly change the production lead time. The 50-piece minimum exists because cutting fewer than 50 units per color per size is inefficient on industrial cutting tables. Reorders at 100 and 500 pieces benefit from pre-staged materials and faster line setup.
What happens to my timeline during Chinese New Year?
Our factory closes for 2-3 weeks during Chinese New Year, usually from late January to mid-February depending on the lunar calendar. We recommend placing POs by December 10 to help complete production before the shutdown.
Can you ship directly to Amazon FBA?
Yes. For the US, orders are prepared at our Shenzhen facility and tendered to the assigned fulfillment center. For EU, UK, and Canada, goods can ship DDP directly to the destination FBA or 3PL. Full packaging specifications are documented on our Amazon FBA packaging page.
Do you handle air freight for urgent orders?
Yes. Air freight is commonly used for urgent replenishment, Prime Day preparation, or Q4 restocks when the ocean cutoff has passed. It is quoted per shipment, so your account manager can compare air and ocean options.
How do you protect my design files and customer data?
All buyers sign a mutual NDA before sharing a tech pack. Production data is isolated per client, and our contract includes a non-compete clause so we will not manufacture your core SKU for a competitor in the same market.
Start your timeline
Ready to Start Your Production Timeline?
Two ways to begin. Send your tech pack, target volume, destination market, SKU count, and Incoterms preference. We return a sample timeline, landed-cost estimate, shipping route, and material recommendations within 12 working hours.
