Thinking about launching custom socks? Here's how Australian brands get socks made in China and Vietnam — knitted vs printed methods, real MOQs, AUD cost per pair, labelling rules and a worked landed-cost example for a Wollongong brand ordering 1,000 pairs.
Last updated: 14 November 2026 · By TK Wang, Founder, Epic Sourcing
In short: Most Australian brands get custom socks made in China (mainly Zhuji, Zhejiang) or Vietnam. Expect MOQs of 300–1,000 pairs per design for knitted-in (jacquard) socks, or 100–200 pairs for printed sublimation socks. Factory prices typically land between AUD $1.20 and $4.00 a pair, and a 1,000-pair order usually lands in Australia for roughly AUD $3–4 a pair all-in. Allow 6–9 weeks from approved sample to delivery.
G'day from the Epic team. Custom socks are one of the most underrated products an Aussie brand can launch. They're cheap to ship, they suit every age group, and they sell for $15–$25 a pair online. Yet most people searching "custom socks Australia" end up on a local print shop's product page with a price per pair and not much else.
This guide is the full picture: how socks are actually made, what MOQs and prices look like, China versus Vietnam, labelling rules, and a worked landed-cost example for a Wollongong brand. Let's get into it.
The short answer is China, and specifically one town. Zhuji (the Datang district) in Zhejiang province is widely known as "Sock City". It produces billions of pairs a year and has thousands of knitting workshops, yarn suppliers and packaging printers within a few kilometres of each other.
Vietnam is the main alternative. Its sock factories are fewer but growing fast, especially for sports and compression socks made for global brands. Local Australian makers do exist, but they're small and usually charge $8–$15 a pair at low volumes.
The method you choose drives your MOQ, price and look. Here's how the three main options compare.
| Method | How it works | Typical MOQ (per design) | Indicative factory price (AUD/pair) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knitted-in (jacquard) | Your design is knitted into the sock using dyed yarns | 300–1,000 pairs | $1.50–$4.00 | Retail brands, gifting, long-lasting designs |
| 360° sublimation print | Design is heat-printed onto a white polyester sock | 100–200 pairs | $2.00–$4.50 | Photos, full-colour artwork, events and merch |
| Embroidered logo | Logo stitched onto a stock or plain sock | 200–500 pairs | $1.20–$3.00 | Corporate uniforms, sports clubs, minimal branding |
Prices depend on yarn (cotton, combed cotton, bamboo, merino, nylon blends), needle count, sock height and how many colours are in the design. Treat the figures above as a starting point for budgeting, not a quote.
For knitted socks, most Zhuji factories quote 300–500 pairs per design per colourway, and some drop lower if you're flexible on yarn. Bigger factories serving global brands often want 1,000–3,000 pairs. You can usually split sizes (for example S/M and L/XL) within one MOQ.
The trick is to keep designs simple for your first run. Four colours or fewer, one sock height and two sizes will get you the lowest MOQ and the cleanest sample. Our guide to MOQ covers how to negotiate minimums without paying a big premium.
For most Aussie start-ups, China wins on socks. The supply chain in Zhuji is so dense that sampling is fast (often 7–10 days) and yarn options are endless. Vietnam makes sense when you need large volumes of performance socks or you're already producing apparel there.
| Factor | China (Zhuji) | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Typical MOQ | 300–500 pairs | 1,000+ pairs |
| Sampling speed | 7–10 days | 10–20 days |
| Price at 1,000 pairs | Lower | Similar to slightly higher |
| Strength | Range, speed, small runs | Sports socks, larger programmes |
| Duty into Australia | Free under ChAFTA with a certificate of origin | Free under AANZFTA/CPTPP with a certificate of origin |
If you're also launching apparel, it can pay to keep everything in one country. Our guide on finding clothing manufacturers in China and Vietnam walks through that decision.
Here's a worked example for a Wollongong lifestyle brand ordering 1,000 pairs of combed-cotton crew socks with a four-colour jacquard design, shipped by air express to the Illawarra. Figures are indicative AUD.
| Cost item | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Socks: 1,000 pairs × $2.20 (factory price) | $2,200 |
| Custom paper sock bands / header cards | $150 |
| Sampling and set-up | $150 |
| Air express freight (~65 kg) | $480 |
| Customs broker and entry fees | $220 |
| Import duty (0% under ChAFTA with certificate of origin) | $0 |
| Local delivery to Wollongong | $60 |
| Total landed (ex GST) | $3,260 ≈ $3.26 a pair |
GST of 10% is also paid at the border, but registered businesses claim it back. Sell at $18 a pair and the gross margin is healthy even after marketing. For bigger runs (5,000+ pairs), sea freight LCL into Port Botany or Port Kembla usually cuts freight per pair by more than half. Want to run your own numbers? See how to calculate landed cost.
If your sock factory quotes "CFR Sydney" for a sea shipment, remember the price includes freight but not insurance or local port fees. Our quick guide to the CFR Incoterm explains what you still pay.
Imported clothing needs a country of origin label (for example "Made in China") under the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) rules. The ACCC's mandatory care labelling standard also applies to most clothing, so include washing instructions on the sock band or a sewn label.
Fibre content isn't a stand-alone federal rule for socks, but it's best practice and expected by retailers. If you're making claims such as "organic" or "low-chemical", ask for OEKO-TEX or GOTS certificates. Our OEKO-TEX guide explains what to request.
Send artwork in vector format with Pantone colours, sock height, sizes and yarn preference.
The factory knits a physical sample. Check colour, stretch, heel fit and logo clarity before approving.
Knitting, toe linking, boarding (shaping), pairing and packing. Allow longer around Chinese New Year.
A pre-shipment quality check, then air express (5–8 days) or sea freight (3–5 weeks door to door).
All up, plan for 6–9 weeks from approved sample. If you need socks for a Christmas launch or a corporate event, start at least three months out.
The common problems are colour shifts (yarn colours don't match your screen), sizing that runs small, thin heels that wear through, and logos that blur on fine details. Almost all of these are caught at sample stage if someone checks properly.
The other big one is choosing a trading company that marks up a factory's price and adds a week to every reply. Visiting Zhuji, or having a team there, is the best protection.
Knitted jacquard socks typically start at 300–500 pairs per design from Chinese factories. Sublimation-printed socks can start from 100–200 pairs.
Factory prices usually range from AUD $1.20 to $4.00 a pair. Landed in Australia at 1,000 pairs, most brands pay around $3–$4 a pair before GST.
Usually not. Socks made in China attract 0% duty under ChAFTA when you have a valid certificate of origin. GST of 10% still applies at import.
Yes. Bamboo viscose and merino blends are widely available in Zhuji, though they cost more and some factories set higher MOQs for speciality yarns.
Rarely. Local makers are great for very small or urgent runs, but at 500+ pairs overseas production is usually 60–75% cheaper even after freight.
We've sourced 20,000+ products for 300+ happy clients, with bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam. For socks, that means we shortlist verified Zhuji factories, manage samples, negotiate MOQs, inspect before shipping and organise freight to your door, whether that's Wollongong, Sydney or anywhere else in Australia. Clients save around 77% on average versus buying through local wholesalers.
Making a full apparel range? Check out our clothing manufacturing service, or give us a bell to talk about your sock project.
