Hijab Wholesale in the USA

Modest fashion is one of the fastest-growing apparel categories in the United States. Muslim-American buying power is projected to exceed $200 billion, and hijabs sit at the centre of the category — from everyday jersey wraps for college students in Michigan to premium instant hijabs for boutique customers in New Jersey, Texas and California. For US boutiques, e-commerce brands, and emerging modest-fashion labels, the biggest lever on margin is sourcing directly from a manufacturer in China rather than reselling from a US distributor.

This guide is the practical playbook for doing exactly that in 2026 — factory pricing, HTS duties, shipping options, MOQ strategy, and how to launch a US private-label modest-wear brand without common first-order mistakes.

Why US brands source hijabs directly from China

Every dollar you save at the source is a dollar of margin, or a dollar you can reinvest in packaging, brand, and marketing. Direct-factory sourcing from China cuts US buyers' per-unit cost by roughly 40-60% versus buying from a US wholesale distributor, and it does three other things distributors can't:

• Full product control. You choose fabric, GSM, colour, stitching, labels, packaging.
• Custom branding from day one. Woven main label, printed care label, hang tags, retail packaging — your brand, not the distributor's.
• Scalable relationship. The same factory that produces your first 200 pcs can produce your first 20,000 pcs eighteen months later, at the same quality — no need to switch suppliers as you grow.

Yiwu, in China's Zhejiang province, is the world's largest small-commodity hub and the epicentre of hijab manufacturing. The city hosts thousands of textile factories and the most efficient small-commodity export logistics on the planet, which is why the majority of hijabs sold in US boutiques originate within a 50 km radius of Yiwu's international trade market.

Typical landed cost for US buyers in 2026

"Landed cost" is your total cost per unit once the product is in your US warehouse. Getting this number right before you order is what separates profitable brands from ones that stall after their first collection.

Factory FOB pricing (before shipping and duties)

For jersey hijabs at typical MOQs, factory FOB prices in Yiwu in 2026 look like this:

• Bamboo jersey hijab: $3.20 - $4.20 per piece (soft, breathable, best-seller for hot US climates)
• Cotton jersey hijab: $2.80 - $3.80 per piece (durable everyday staple)
• Premium jersey hijab: $4.00 - $5.50 per piece (medium weight, luxury drape)
• Liquid jersey hijab: $4.50 - $6.00 per piece (silky, wrinkle-resistant, trend-forward)
• Instant hijab / undercap set: $3.50 - $5.00 per set

Prices tier down as your volume grows. Custom colour dye lots, embroidery, woven labels, and retail packaging each add small increments — usually $0.20-$0.80 per unit combined for full private-label finishing.

Shipping to the US

• DHL / FedEx / UPS express air freight: 5-8 days door-to-door, $6-12 per kg. Best for samples and orders under 100 kg.
• Standard air freight (consolidated): 10-15 days, $4-7 per kg. Good for 100-500 kg.
• Ocean freight LCL (less than container load): 25-35 days port-to-port, $80-150 per cubic metre. Best for 500+ pcs bulk when you can plan ahead.
• Ocean freight FCL (20/40 ft container): 25-35 days, cheapest per unit for 5,000+ pcs.

For a first order of ~200 pcs (roughly 5-8 kg), express air freight to any major US city typically runs $60-120 total — negligible per unit.

US import duties on hijabs

Hijabs are classified under HTS heading 6117 (knitted or crocheted accessories) or 6214 (shawls, scarves, mufflers) depending on construction. Duty rates vary from 0% to 11.3% depending on fabric and HTS subheading — for example, cotton knitted scarves under HTS 6117.10 are duty-free from most Most Favoured Nation trading partners, while some synthetic-blend woven scarves under HTS 6214.30 face ~11% duty.

Two important points:

1. Under US de minimis rules, individual shipments valued under $800 have historically entered the US duty-free — a rule that has been under active reform. Always check the current de minimis threshold and any Section 301 tariffs that may apply to Chinese-origin textiles before placing a large order.
2. Confirm the exact HTS classification with a licensed US customs broker before your first bulk order. A $100 consultation can save you thousands in miscalculated duties.

Sample landed cost calculation

For a US boutique importing 500 pcs of bamboo jersey hijabs:

• 500 pcs × $3.60 FOB = $1,800
• Ocean freight LCL (~0.3 CBM) = $50
• US customs clearance and broker fee = $150
• Import duty at ~5% average = $90
• Total landed = $2,090, or ~$4.18 per piece

Sold retail at $18-24, that's a healthy 4-6× markup with room for promotional discounts and free shipping offers.

MOQ strategy for US buyers

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is where new US brands often stall — either scared off by high minimums or trapped by suppliers who require thousands of units per SKU. The right MOQ strategy depends on where you are:

First order (testing the market)

Aim for 200-300 total pieces spread across your 4-5 top colours × 1-2 top fabrics. For example:

• 50 pcs Bamboo Jersey in Black
• 50 pcs Bamboo Jersey in Ivory
• 50 pcs Bamboo Jersey in Blush Pink
• 50 pcs Cotton Jersey in Charcoal
• 50 pcs Cotton Jersey in Sage Green

This gives you real-world data on which colours and fabrics your customers actually buy, without committing $5,000+ to inventory that may not move.

Second order (proven winners)

Double down on top 2 sellers, drop the losers, add 2-3 new test colours. Move to 100-200 pcs per SKU on the winners. This is where volume pricing tiers start to kick in.

Third order onwards (scaling)

Move to full private-label with custom woven labels (500-1,000 pcs minimum per label design), custom retail packaging, and custom colour dye lots (100-300 pcs per colour for a bespoke dye). At this point you're competing on brand, not just product.

Any factory that refuses a 50-pcs-per-SKU first order is a factory that doesn't want to support your growth. Walk away and find one that does.

Building a US private-label hijab brand

The US modest-fashion customer is design-literate and brand-conscious. Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest have made even niche religious apparel highly aesthetic — buyers compare packaging, unboxing experience, and brand story the same way they compare product.

Three things pay off disproportionately for US brands:

1. Professional finishing from day one

Custom woven main label, printed care label, branded hang tag, and a simple branded poly bag or box add roughly $0.30-$0.80 per unit but can 2-3× your perceived retail value. Don't launch with generic packaging and try to "upgrade later" — first-order buyers become the reviewers and photographers who define your brand.

2. A tight colour story

New US brands often try to launch with 15-20 colours to "give customers choice." This is a mistake. Launch with 5-7 carefully chosen colours that photograph beautifully together, tell one aesthetic story (warm neutrals, cool minimalist, jewel tones — pick one), and can be styled across your marketing content. You can always expand later; you can't easily unlaunch a scattered range.

3. Content-ready product photography

Your factory should be able to provide clean product shots on white background — but the real conversion driver on US e-commerce is on-model lifestyle photography shot in your target aesthetic. Budget $500-2,000 for a first photoshoot even before your first ad dollar; visuals are the single strongest lever on hijab conversion rate.

Common mistakes US first-time buyers make

The mistakes below are why so many US modest-fashion brands stall in their first six months. All are avoidable.

• Skipping samples. Ordering bulk from a photo alone is the fastest way to end up with 500 pcs of unsellable inventory. Always sample first.
• Chasing the lowest price. The cheapest quote almost always hides the highest total cost (defects, returns, brand damage).
• Ordering too many colours. 15 colours × 50 pcs = 750 pcs of scattered inventory. 5 colours × 150 pcs = same total capital, dramatically clearer merchandising.
• Ignoring HTS classification. Assuming your product is "duty-free" without checking can result in unexpected 5-11% duty bills at customs.
• Paying 100% upfront to a new supplier. Standard first-order terms are 30% deposit / 70% before shipment, or Alibaba Trade Assurance escrow.
• Buying from a US distributor "just for the first order." You lose 40-60% margin, and you're paying to test the distributor's stock, not the market.
• No branded packaging on order one. Generic unboxing kills brand perception on the first customer, and first customers write your reviews.
• Choosing an ocean freight order size for a first order. Ocean freight makes sense at 500+ pcs; below that, ocean's fixed costs (LCL fee, warehouse, customs broker) actually make it more expensive per unit than air. First orders should ship by air.

Frequently asked questions about US hijab wholesale

How much money do I need to launch a US hijab brand?

A realistic first-order budget for a US private-label hijab brand is $1,500-$3,000 landed cost for inventory (200-300 pcs across 4-5 SKUs), plus $500-2,000 for first product photography, plus a small budget for a Shopify store setup ($50-500). Total launch capital of $3,000-6,000 is enough to test the market seriously.

Do I need a US business licence to import hijabs from China?

For personal-scale orders, no — the US allows individuals to import for personal use. To resell commercially and deduct expenses, you'll want a US business entity (LLC is standard for small brands) and a state resale certificate for tax collection. Consult a US CPA for setup — usually $500-1,500 one-time.

How long from placing my first order to receiving inventory in the US?

Roughly 3-5 weeks for a first order: 5-7 days for sample production + 5-8 days for sample shipping + your evaluation time + 10-20 days for bulk production + 5-8 days for express air shipping to the US = about 30-45 days from your first email to inventory in your warehouse.

What's the most popular hijab fabric in the US market?

Bamboo jersey dominates the everyday-wear US market because it's breathable, soft, and photographs beautifully. Cotton jersey is a close second as a durable staple. Premium jersey and liquid jersey both grow strongly in higher-end boutique channels and among content creators. For a first collection, start with bamboo jersey.

Do US customers care about "Made in China" on the label?

Less than most new brands fear. US modest-fashion customers care most about fabric quality, colour accuracy, and how the product wears — not the country-of-origin label, which is required to be present by US law but rarely drives purchase decisions. Focus on getting the product right; the label anxiety is usually overblown.

Can I dropship hijabs from a China factory to US customers?

Technically yes; strategically almost never a good idea. Dropshipping means 5-8 day shipping per order, generic packaging, no branding, and full exposure to any factory quality issue. It also breaks under US customs de minimis reforms. Serious brands hold inventory in the US.

Do I need to visit the factory in China?

Not for orders under about $10,000 total value — video calls, sample orders, and third-party verification (TÜV, SGS, Alibaba Verified Supplier badges) are sufficient. For long-term partnerships and larger orders, one visit within your first year is highly valuable.

What US shipping method should I use for a 200-piece first order?

Express air freight (DHL, FedEx, or UPS) door-to-door. Cost is typically $60-120 total for a 5-8 kg parcel, transit time 5-8 days, no customs broker required for shipments under de minimis thresholds. Save ocean freight for your third or fourth order when volume justifies it.

Which US states have the biggest hijab retail markets?

Michigan (Dearborn, Detroit), New Jersey, Texas (Houston, Dallas), California (Los Angeles, Bay Area), Illinois (Chicago), Virginia, and Minnesota (Twin Cities) have the largest Muslim-American concentrations and most active modest-fashion retail. New York and Georgia are close behind. E-commerce reaches all states — physical boutique concentration is where these cluster.

How do I find a US hijab wholesale customer base once I have inventory?

Instagram and TikTok are the dominant discovery channels for US modest fashion. A branded Shopify store, consistent content, and paid ads to lookalike audiences of existing US modest-fashion buyers is the standard playbook. Cold outreach to US boutiques ("hijab boutique + city name" in Google Maps) can add wholesale channel revenue on top of D2C.

What certifications do I need for hijabs sold in the US?

Adult apparel accessories like hijabs have relatively few US mandatory certifications. Care labels must comply with the FTC Care Labeling Rule. Country-of-origin labelling is required. If you extend into children's sizes (under age 12), the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) requires third-party testing and a Children's Product Certificate. For adults, no third-party test is generally required — but OEKO-TEX Standard 100 on the fabric is a valuable trust signal for premium positioning.

Can I buy from Alibaba directly or should I contact factories another way?

Alibaba is the fastest way to compare and initiate contact — filter for Verified Supplier / Verified Manufacturer badges (which require onsite audits), read supplier response times, and use Trade Assurance for payment protection. Contact 5-8 filtered candidates, compare responses, then take the best 2 into sampling. Direct email or WhatsApp to a factory you've already vetted works equally well.

Your next step

If you're a US boutique, e-commerce brand, or emerging modest-fashion label planning your first (or next) hijab collection, we'd love to help. At QIUYAN we manufacture bamboo, cotton, premium and liquid jersey hijabs from our own 3,200 m² factory in Yiwu — TÜV Rheinland verified, CE / CPC / RoHS certified, 95.5% on-time delivery, low MOQ from 50 pcs per SKU. We ship to boutiques and brands across every major US market.

Send us your target city, first-order quantities, and any customisation requirements — request a sample kit and we'll reply within 24 hours with a US-focused quotation, swatches, and an estimated landed cost. If you'd like to see the factory, team, and certifications first, our about page has the full detail.