Resources · Shipping & Terms
From Sample to Shipment, in Two Clean Phases
Every Y&F Leather program runs the same way: a sample phase that proves the make, then a bulk phase that produces, inspects and ships it. This page sets out both phases, the payment structure, the Incoterms we quote on, packing and the documents that travel with your goods.
Phase 1 · Sample
Prove the make before volume
-
Inquiry & specification
You send a tech pack, a reference pair, or a target price and market. We confirm the material grade, construction and last, and name the upper by grade code in writing.
-
Quotation
You receive an indicative FOB by construction — cemented, Blake or Goodyear welted — plus a sampling plan. Our default quotation basis is FOB, Wenzhou or Ningbo.
-
Sample payment
A sample fee of US$50–100 per style confirms the sampling slot. It is credited toward your order on bulk confirmation.
-
Sample in 7–14 days
Samples ship in 7–14 days on existing lasts. A new last adds 15–20 days of development before sampling starts.
-
Feedback & revision
You fit and review the sample. Revisions run until a counter sample is approved — that sample becomes the reference standard for bulk.
Indicative figures for planning purposes — binding quotation upon specification.
Phase 2 · Bulk
Produce, inspect, release
-
PI & deposit
The proforma invoice fixes specification, price and terms. The program starts on a 30% deposit by T/T — the reference structure, confirmed per program in the PI.
-
PP sample approval
The pre-production sample confirms materials and make on the line's own output before mass cutting starts.
-
Production, 30–45 days
Bulk runs 30–45 days ex-factory, counted from the deposit and PP sample approval. Progress is reported during the run.
-
Balance & pre-shipment inspection
The 70% balance settles before release, and a pre-shipment inspection checks finished goods against the approved reference sample and specification.
-
Release & documents
Goods are released on your Incoterm with the full document set — listed below — and loading is confirmed with photos and carton counts.
Indicative figures for planning purposes — binding quotation upon specification.
Incoterms
Where responsibility transfers
Our default quotation basis is FOB, loading at Wenzhou or Ningbo. The other three terms are available and arranged case by case, depending on destination and program size.
| Term | What it covers | How we offer it |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | Ex Works — goods made available at the workshop or our consolidation point; you arrange collection and all transport. | On request, typically for buyers with their own forwarding setup in China. |
| FOB — Wenzhou or Ningbo | We deliver goods cleared for export and loaded on the vessel at the named port; risk transfers on board. | Our default quotation basis. |
| CIF | As FOB, plus cost, insurance and freight to your named destination port. | Available on request, quoted against the destination at order stage. |
| DDP | Delivered duty paid — we carry the goods to your door, cleared and duty settled. | Arranged case by case, depending on destination market and import regime. |
Packing
Three levels, specified up front
| Level | Specification |
|---|---|
| Individual | Retail box per pair — your own boxing under the customization program, or a neutral box for pilot lots. |
| Master carton | 10 pairs per carton as the typical configuration — carton size and mix adjustable to your requirement. |
| Container | A loading plan by style and carton count is prepared on request before booking. |
Indicative figures for planning purposes — binding quotation upon specification.
Documents
What travels with every shipment
- Commercial invoice — the shipment's pricing and parties, matching the PI.
- Packing list — carton-by-carton contents, styles, sizes and counts.
- Bill of lading — the transport document for the booked vessel.
- Certificate of origin — issued on request where your customs regime requires it.
- Test reports — arranged per program against your destination market's requirements.
Organizer advantage
Multi-factory orders, one loading point
When a program splits across workshops — dress makes at one, casual makes at another — the finished goods from every partner factory are consolidated at one point before loading. One inspection standard is applied across all lines, one container plan is built, and the shipment leaves with a single document set instead of one per factory.
For you that means one booking, one set of paperwork to clear, and one party accountable if anything is short — us, not a list of workshops.
Planning around the calendar
The production calendar, stated before you ask
Lead times are quiet until a holiday or a peak season moves them. Here is the shape of the year in the cluster — plan orders against it, and we will confirm the live situation with every quotation.
| Window | What happens | How we plan around it |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese New Year (late Jan–Feb) | Workshops close for roughly two to three weeks; capacity tightens 6–8 weeks before as orders are pulled forward, and lines ramp back over 2–4 weeks after reopening | Book pre-holiday production by early December; reserve the first post-holiday slots in advance — first-come on the restart calendar |
| Golden Week (early October) | Approximately one week of reduced capacity | Minor impact if booked ahead; shipments are scheduled either side of the week |
| Peak season (roughly June–August) | Fall and holiday programs for northern-hemisphere markets compress the schedule; the best lines run at full capacity | Confirm slot reservations early; pilot orders are routed to lines with reserved headroom |
Calendar shape is indicative and varies year to year — the live capacity picture for your program is confirmed in writing with each quotation and PI.
Ready to put terms to a program?
Send your specification and destination market. We answer with indicative FOB, a sampling plan and the phase plan that takes it to a released shipment.