Who This Guide Is For
This guide helps overseas boutiques, marketplaces and Amazon / Shopify sellers planning a scarf or hijab restock from China answer one practical question: how long does it actually take from “I placed the order” to “the box is on my shelf”? We break the timeline into ready-stock vs custom production, and express vs sea freight, so you can plan a launch or season without a stockout surprise.
Key Takeaways
- Ready-stock ships in 1–3 days from Yiwu, then reaches the US and EU in 7–14 days by international express — about 10–17 days door to door total.
- Custom / OEM orders run 22–45 days end to end: sampling 5–7 days + production 10–25 days + QC/packing 2–3 days + express 7–14 days.
- Sea freight is 25–40 days but cuts shipping cost dramatically for 1,000+ pcs — a cash-flow trade, not a speed one.
- Customs is separate from transit time. Scarves fall under HS 6214 (woven) or 6117.10 (knitted); the duty rate depends on destination and fibre, so confirm with your broker — it does not change the delivery clock if documents are clean.
What Does “Shipping Time” Actually Include for Wholesale Scarves?
Direct answer: “shipping time” is only the last leg. The full clock a buyer cares about is production lead time + international transit + customs clearance. A common mistake is quoting the 7–14 day express window as the whole answer, then the buyer is confused why a custom order takes a month. Split the two and the timeline is predictable.
How Long Does Ready-Stock Take to Reach the US and EU?
Direct answer: For in-stock styles (MOQ 10 pcs/design), we dispatch within 1–3 business days of payment, and international express delivers to the US or EU in 7–14 days. That puts most ready-stock reorders at 10–17 days door to door. The table below compares the two mainstream options.
| Option | Transit time | Relative cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| International express (door-to-door) | 7–14 days | Higher per kg | Reorders, samples, urgent launches |
| Sea freight (port-to-port + last mile) | 25–40 days | Much lower per kg | 1,000+ pcs, non-urgent seasonal stock |
Express is the default for scarf buyers because the goods are light (a 40-pc sample is ~1 kg) and the speed protects a selling season. Sea only wins on cost when the carton is heavy and the deadline is loose.
How Long Does a Custom or OEM Order Take? (Lead Time Breakdown)
Direct answer: A custom or OEM scarf order typically runs 22–45 days from artwork approval to delivery. Here is the breakdown you can put in a calendar:
- Sampling & artwork confirmation: 5–7 days (digital print proof or woven/printed strike-off for approval).
- Mass production: 10–25 days depending on quantity and technique (digital print is faster; jacquard/screen print with colour separation takes longer).
- QC & packing: 2–3 days (defect check, folded/pouch packing, carton labelling).
- International express: 7–14 days to the US or EU.
If you are testing a new design, start with a 10 pcs/design trial — the production step stays short and you are not holding inventory you have not validated.
Express vs Sea Freight: Which Should You Choose?
Direct answer: Choose express unless a single style exceeds roughly 1,000 pcs and the delivery date has slack. The trade is not “fast vs slow” but cash tied up vs cash freed: sea freight lowers the per-unit landed cost, but your money sits in transit for a month. For most boutique and DTC restocks, the 7–14 day express window is worth the premium because it keeps the shelf full during the selling window.
Do Customs or Duties Add to the Timeline?
Direct answer: Customs itself rarely adds days if the paperwork is correct — but the paperwork depends on the right HS code. Woven scarves and hijabs are usually classified under HS 6214, knitted head wraps under HS 6117.10. The applicable import duty rate depends on the destination country and the fibre composition, so the reliable move is to confirm the current rate with your customs broker rather than assuming a fixed number. Clean classification + a compliant commercial invoice is what keeps clearance to a day or two, not weeks.
Can I Speed Up the First Order?
Direct answer: Yes — three moves shorten the clock. First, start from ready-stock designs (ship in 1–3 days) instead of waiting on sampling. Second, send a clear artwork file (vector or 300 dpi) so the 5–7 day sampling step does not loop. Third, pre-book express space during peak season (Q3–Q4) when courier capacity tightens. None of these change the physics of 7–14 day transit, but they remove the avoidable waits in front of it.
About the Supplier
XY Fashion (Yiwu Miyu Apparel Co., Ltd.) — a Yiwu-based源头 factory for scarves, hijabs and head wraps with B2B wholesale and OEM/ODM. MOQ starts at 10 pcs/design, supports custom print and private-label, and ships globally by international express in 7–14 days. For a quote, print catalogue or a sample swatch, email mike@xy-fashion.com or WhatsApp +86 153 8174 1977.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to ship scarves from China to the US?
Ready-stock dispatches in 1–3 days and arrives by express in 7–14 days, so 10–17 days door to door. Custom orders add sampling and production for a 22–45 day total.
How long does shipping from China to the EU take?
About the same as the US: 7–14 days by international express for in-stock goods, 22–45 days for a custom/OEM run including production lead time.
Is sea freight cheaper than express for scarves?
Yes, significantly per kilogram, but it takes 25–40 days. It only pays off above roughly 1,000 pcs when the delivery date is not tight.
What HS code do silk scarves use for import?
Woven scarves and hijabs are typically HS 6214; knitted head wraps HS 6117.10. The duty rate varies by country and fibre, so confirm with your broker.
Wholesale & bulk orders
XY Fashion is a scarf manufacturer supplying wholesalers, boutiques and brands worldwide. Explore our wholesale programs: