A Story of Failure When Importing from Bangladesh

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Importing products from Bangladesh can be highly profitable due to its low labor costs and strong textile industry. However, not every import story ends in success. One such failure highlights the importance of diligence, quality control, and clear communication.

A small apparel brand in Europe, hoping to scale quickly, decided telemarketing data to import a bulk order of t-shirts and hoodies from a Bangladeshi supplier. The price was incredibly attractive—almost 40% cheaper than their usual manufacturer in Turkey. The supplier sent impressive samples that met their standards, featuring soft cotton, solid stitching, and custom labeling. Convinced by the quality and affordability, the brand placed a large order of 10,000 units without conducting a full factory audit or a third-party inspection.

Once production was completed, shipping took longer than expected. The supplier cited delays due to port congestion and customs clearance. After six weeks, the shipment finally arrived—but to the brand’s horror, the products were nothing like the samples. The fabric was thinner, many shirts had uneven stitching, and the sizes were inconsistent. Worse, the custom labels were either missing or misprinted.