Placing your first bulk cashmere order from Nepal can feel complicated if you have never done it before. There are fiber grades to understand, minimum quantities to negotiate, sampling rounds to get through, and shipping logistics to sort out before a single garment reaches your warehouse. But for fashion brands, boutique owners, and retailers who get this process right, Nepal offers something genuinely hard to find elsewhere: premium handcrafted cashmere at wholesale prices, with the flexibility to customize designs and build a long-term supply relationship.

This guide walks you through each stage of the process, from initial contact to delivery.

Step 1: Know What You Want Before You Reach Out

The most common mistake first-time buyers make is contacting a manufacturer with a vague brief. A message that says “I want to order cashmere sweaters” tells the factory very little and makes it difficult to give you an accurate quote or timeline.

Before you reach out, get clear on the following:

• Product type: Are you ordering knitwear such as sweaters, cardigans, or jumpers? Or woven products like shawls, stoles, and scarves? Some manufacturers specialize in one or the other. Om Cashmeres, for example, produces both knitted garments and handloom-woven pieces, which matters if you want to order across categories from one supplier.
• Fiber grade: Not all cashmere is the same. Grade A cashmere, typically 14 to 16 microns, is the softest and most durable. Knowing which grade you want helps manufacturers match you with the right yarn and give you honest pricing.
• Quantity per style: Most Nepal-based manufacturers have a minimum order quantity, often starting from 50 to 100 pieces per design. Have a rough sense of how many units you need per colorway or style.
• Colors and construction: If you have specific Pantone references, stitch patterns, or weight requirements, gather those now. The more detail you can share upfront, the faster sampling goes.

Step 2: Contact the Manufacturer and Share Your Brief

Once you have your brief ready, reach out directly. A good manufacturer will respond with questions, not just a price list. That back-and-forth is where you understand whether they are the right fit.

When contacting a manufacturer like Om Cashmeres, share your brief by email or WhatsApp (both are commonly used for B2B communication in Nepal). Include your product category, approximate quantities, any reference images, and your intended delivery timeline. If you have a lookbook or tech pack, attach it.

At this stage, ask the manufacturer about:

• Their minimum order quantities per style.
• Lead times from sample approval to production.
• Whether they offer private label or white label services.
• Their payment terms and accepted methods.

Om Cashmeres accepts bank transfer and PayPal, and ships via DHL, FedEx, and UPS. Clarifying these logistics early saves time later.

Step 3: Request Samples

Never place a bulk order without reviewing samples first. This is non-negotiable regardless of how well the manufacturer’s portfolio looks online.

Ask for a pre-production sample in your chosen fiber, color, and construction. Most manufacturers charge a sample fee, which is sometimes credited toward your bulk order. Expect a sample turnaround of two to four weeks depending on complexity.

When the sample arrives, evaluate:

• Fiber quality: Does it feel soft against the skin? Is there any scratching or roughness? Grade A cashmere should feel noticeably fine.
• Construction: Check the stitch tension, seams, and finishing. Pull gently at the seams to test durability.
• Color accuracy: Compare against your reference or Pantone swatch. Minor variation is common across dyeing batches, but the sample should be close.
• Weight and drape: Hold the garment and let it fall naturally. Does it move the way you expected?

If adjustments are needed, communicate them clearly with photos and annotations. A manufacturer with experience working with international buyers will expect revision rounds and handle feedback professionally.

Step 4: Confirm the Order Details in Writing

Once the sample is approved, do not proceed on a verbal agreement. Confirm all order details in a written document, whether a purchase order, proforma invoice, or a signed agreement.

The document should cover:

• Product description, style references, and colorways.
• Quantity per style.
• Unit price and total order value.
• Payment schedule (typically a deposit upfront and balance before shipping).
• Production timeline and expected dispatch date.
• Shipping method and who bears shipping costs.
• Policy on defective goods or quality discrepancies.

This protects both parties and gives you a clear reference point if any issues arise during production.

Step 5: Pay the Deposit and Begin Production

Most Nepal manufacturers ask for a deposit of 30 to 50 percent upfront before starting production. This is standard practice and helps the factory purchase raw materials and allocate production capacity to your order.

Once the deposit is received, your order enters the production queue. Stay in communication during this phase. A good manufacturer will send production updates or mid-production photos if you ask for them. Om Cashmeres is known for this kind of ongoing communication, with buyers from Europe and the US frequently citing responsive contact throughout production as a reason they return.

Step 6: Quality Check Before Dispatch

Before the balance payment is made and goods are shipped, request a final quality inspection. This can be done through photos and videos shared by the manufacturer, or through a third-party inspection service if your order is large enough to justify the cost.

Check that the garments match the approved sample in color, construction, and finish. Verify the quantity against your order. Confirm that packaging and labeling match your requirements, especially if you are importing under your own brand name.

If anything is off, raise it before payment and shipment. After goods leave the factory, resolution becomes more complicated.

Step 7: Arrange Shipping and Handle Import Clearance

Cashmere from Nepal typically ships via courier for smaller orders (DHL, FedEx, UPS) or sea freight for larger volumes. Courier shipping to the US or Europe takes roughly four to seven days. Sea freight takes longer but significantly reduces per-unit shipping costs for large orders.

Make sure you understand the import duties applicable in your country. Cashmere garments imported into the US are subject to tariffs, which vary by product category. Work with a customs broker if this is your first international shipment to avoid delays at clearance.

Why Nepal Remains a Trusted Source

Nepal has built a strong reputation in the global cashmere trade for good reason. The country has centuries of tradition in fine fiber craftsmanship, a skilled artisan workforce, and a growing number of export-focused manufacturers who meet international quality and compliance standards.

Om Cashmeres has been part of this ecosystem for over two decades, producing AA grade cashmere garments for buyers across the US, UK, Europe, Japan, and Australia. Their range covers knitting, weaving, hand embellishment, and stencil printing, with both private label and bespoke services available for brands that want more than off-the-shelf production.

For buyers looking to build a consistent supply relationship rather than a one-time transaction, working directly with a manufacturer like Om Cashmeres removes the middlemen, improves quality control, and makes communication far more efficient.