You order 10,000 zippers. Quote $0.15 each. Samples perfect. Bulk arrives. Mold fee $500 extra. Customs duty 12%. Testing $300. Total jumps to $0.28. Profit gone. Hardware seems cheap. But extras eat 50% margin. I calculate this weekly in my factory.
Hidden costs in garment hardware include mold fees, plating, testing, duties, and minimums. They add 30-80%. Budget 50% over quote.
Read on. I own Shanghai Fumao. I break down real extras. Cases saved clients thousands. Avoid traps in buttons, zippers, labels.
What Mold Fees Add To Custom Hardware?
Custom needs molds. Suppliers hide charge.
Mold fees range $200-800 per design. Amortize over units. Share to cut.
Why Buttons Cost More In Molds?
Complex shape. In 2023, Texas polo brand wanted logo button. Mold $450. 5,000 units. Added $0.09 each. Shared with plain. Down to $0.03. Check mold costs. Plan runs.
How Zippers Share Molds?
Teeth standard. Puller custom. Florida jacket line. Puller mold $300. 2,000 zippers. $0.15 extra. Next order free. See zipper molds. Reuse smart.
| Hardware | Mold Fee | Units to Break Even |
|---|---|---|
| Button | $400-600 | 5,000 |
| Puller | $250-400 | 2,000 |
What Happens Without Amortize?
Pay full each time. Miami labels. New mold every color. Cost up 60%.
Why Plating And Finishing Spike Price?
Shiny needs electroplate. Eco rules strict.
Nickel-free plating adds $0.05-0.15. Testing $100-300 per batch.
How Nickel-Free Raises Cost?
EU ban nickel. Plating switch. LA denim brand. Rivets from nickel to zinc. +$0.08 each. 10,000 units: $800. Passed nickel regulations. Comply early.
Why Testing Plating Matters?
Lead in plate. We tested Chicago buckles. Failed 120ppm. Replated. $250 test. Saved recall. Use plating tests. Verify safe.
What Eco Plating Saves Long?
Water recycle. We cut waste fee. Price stable.
| Finish | Add Cost | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel-Free | +$0.10 | EU sales |
| Matte | +$0.05 | Trendy |
How Duties And Logistics Hide Extras?
Import tax varies. Shipping surprises.
Duties 5-32% on hardware. Air freight for rush. Packaging rules.
Why HS Codes Change Duty?
Buttons 9606. Duty 5.8%. Zippers 9607. 27%. Denver coats wrong code. Paid 32%. Corrected. Saved $1,200. Learn HS codes apparel. Classify right.
How Packaging Adds Cost?
Anti-rust bags. Boston labels needed cards. +$0.02 each. 50,000: $1,000. Explore packaging rules. Plan pack.
When Air Beats Sea?
Rush season. Seattle rivets air. $800 extra. Hit market. Sold $15,000 more.
| Logistic | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sea | Low | 30 days |
| Air | High | 5 days |
What Minimums And Waste Cost Most?
Low volume hurts. Scrap hidden.
MOQ 1,000-5,000. Waste 3-5% in plating. Overbuy to cover.
Why MOQ Forces Overbuy?
Pullers MOQ 3,000. New York startup needed 800. Bought 3,000. $600 stuck. Bundle orders. View hardware MOQ. Consolidate.
How Plating Waste Adds?
5% loss in bath. We charge full. European buckles. 10,000 ordered. 500 waste. Client paid.
What Inventory Risk?
Dead stock. Florida zippers color change. 2,000 left. $400 loss.
Conclusion
Hidden costs in sourcing garment hardware add up fast. Mold fees. Plating extras. Duty. MOQ waste. Budget 50% over quote. Test always. Last year, LA denim fixed nickel issue. Switched plating. Passed EU. Texas polos shared mold. Cost per button down $0.06. Florida jackets correct HS code. Duty saved $1,200. You keep margins high. Partner with Shanghai Fumao. Low mold share. Nickel-free standard. CPSIA test included. 5 lines. DDP mode. Contact Business Director Elaine at elaine@fumaoclothing.com. Source hardware smart.
