Contents
What we source
- Handbags, totes and backpacks.
- Small leather goods: wallets, card holders, belts.
- Laptop sleeves and cases, pouches.
- Luggage: suitcases, travel bags, gym bags.
- Items in leather, synthetics or recycled materials.
Where leather goods are made in China
Guangzhou brings together leather workshops and markets, especially in Baiyun district, and the town of Shiling, in Huadu district, specialises in bags and small leather goods. In Hebei, Baigou produces bags in large volumes, often in synthetics, and Pinghu, in Zhejiang, specialises in luggage.
Finishing quality varies enormously from one workshop to the next: two factories with identical photos can deliver completely different products. The production sample, not the product listing, is what counts.
Leather or synthetic: know what you are buying
Full grain, corrected grain, split leather, PU, microfibre: each material has its own price, feel and lifespan. The material, its thickness and its origin must be written into the tech pack, then checked on the sample and in production.
In several countries, including France, the word "leather" is reserved for materials made from animal hides: a synthetic item must be presented as such on its label and product page.
What we check
| Checkpoint | What we verify |
|---|---|
| Material and thickness | Match with the tech pack and approved sample |
| Stitching | Regularity, stitch density, strength of back-tacks |
| Edges | Even edge paint, no cracking |
| Hardware | Zips, buckles and rivets: function and plating durability |
| Lining and interior | Gluing, symmetry, clean finishing |
| Colour fastness | No colour transfer when rubbed |
| Moisture and packing | Dry leather, desiccant sachets against mould at sea |
Rules to plan for
- Chromium VI: REACH limits it in leather articles in contact with the skin (3 mg/kg).
- Dyes: certain azo dyes are banned in leather and textiles.
- Exotic leathers: skins from protected species require CITES permits.
- Brands: no protected logo or pattern without authorisation. Counterfeits are seized at the border.
How we work
A free first call to understand your project; a sourcing study with scope and price set in writing; then negotiation, samples, production follow-up, pre-shipment inspection, freight and customs clearance to your door.