Last updated: 16 August 2026

In short: sourcing sofas and upholstered furniture from China

China's furniture hubs, mainly Foshan and Dongguan in Guangdong province, produce most of the world's upholstered furniture, from budget sofas to hospitality-grade seating built to commercial durability standards. A good result depends on specifying frame material, foam density, and fabric performance up front, confirming US flammability compliance (CFR 1633 and California TB117) before production, and planning container loading carefully since upholstered pieces ship as bulky, low-density cargo. A sourcing agent who inspects frames and foam before shipment catches problems photos never show.

Where is upholstered furniture manufactured in China?

Most sofa and upholstery production runs through Foshan, home to entire industrial parks dedicated to frames, foam, springs, and fabric finishing under one roof. Dongguan and parts of Jiangsu province also run large upholstery factories, often specialising in hotel and hospitality-grade seating with higher fire-rating certifications than standard residential lines.

Factory scale varies widely: some produce only frames and outsource upholstery to specialist workshops, while vertically integrated manufacturers handle frame, foam, and fabric under one contract, which usually means fewer quality gaps and easier accountability.

What should you specify before quoting a sofa manufacturer?

Vague specs are the single biggest cause of disappointing sofa shipments. Before requesting quotes, nail down:

• Frame material — kiln-dried hardwood holds up far better than plywood or particleboard, especially for commercial/hospitality use
• Foam density — measured in kg/m³; anything under 25 kg/m³ sags fast under daily hospitality use
• Fabric or leather grade — rub count (Martindale or Wyzenbeek) for fabric, and full-grain vs bonded leather for leather pieces
• Suspension system — sinuous springs vs webbing vs pocket coils, which affects both comfort and cost
• Flammability compliance — CFR 1633 (federal) and California TB117-2013 are the two standards US importers need documented

How much does it cost to source a sofa from China?

EXW pricing for a standard 3-seater fabric sofa typically runs from the low hundreds of US dollars for basic residential-grade construction, up to several hundred more for hospitality-grade frames, commercial-rated foam, and heavier fabric. Leather adds a further premium depending on grade. On top of EXW price, budget for:

• Ocean freight, which is high relative to unit value because sofas are bulky and low-density even when knocked-down/flat-packed
• US import duty, which varies by HS classification and materials used
• Tooling or mould costs if you're customising a frame design rather than using an existing model

MOQs for standard models often start around 20-50 units per SKU, though many factories will quote lower MOQs at a higher unit price for a first order.

How should upholstered furniture be packed for shipping?

Because sofas are bulky relative to their weight, container loading efficiency matters more here than for almost any other product category. Most exporters recommend:

• Knock-down (KD) construction — frames ship flat-packed and are assembled on arrival, cutting container volume significantly
• Corner protection and edge guards — upholstery snags and frames chip easily without proper corner protection
• Moisture barriers — fabric and foam absorb humidity during long sea transits, so poly wrapping and desiccants matter

A pre-shipment inspection that specifically checks stitching, frame joints, and foam consistency across the batch (not just the sample) is worth the cost on any order over a handful of units. If your foam uses chemical flame-retardant treatments and you're also shipping to the EU, check our guide to MSDS/SDS export documentation — treated foam and certain fabric coatings can trigger the same hazardous-material paperwork that batteries and aerosols need.

Should hospitality buyers source differently to retail brands?

Hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality venues typically need contract-grade furniture built for continuous heavy use — higher-density foam, reinforced frames, and fire ratings above residential minimums, similar to the standards covered in our guide to sourcing restaurant and hospitality furniture from China. Retail and e-commerce brands have more flexibility to prioritise design and cost over commercial durability ratings, but still need to hit US flammability standards before goods can legally be sold.

FAQ: sourcing sofas and upholstered furniture from China

What foam density should a sofa use?

For residential use, 25-30 kg/m³ high-resilience foam is a reasonable baseline. Hospitality and commercial applications should specify 30-35 kg/m³ or higher to hold shape under daily, heavy use over several years.

Do sofas from China meet US flammability standards?

Only if you specify it. Factories can meet CFR 1633 (the federal open-flame standard) and California TB117-2013, but you need to state this requirement in the contract and verify it through testing or documentation — it isn't automatic.

How long does it take to produce and ship a sofa order from China?

Production typically runs 30-45 days depending on order size and fabric lead times, plus 25-35 days of ocean freight to major US ports. Budget 10-12 weeks total from deposit to arrival for a first order.

Can I get a custom sofa design manufactured in China?

Yes — most mid-size and larger factories offer OEM/ODM services for custom frame shapes, dimensions, and fabric. Expect a mould or tooling fee for genuinely custom frames, and a longer sampling process than ordering an existing catalogue model.

What's the biggest mistake first-time sofa importers make?

Approving a sample without specifying foam density and frame material in writing, then receiving a bulk order that looks similar but performs very differently under daily use. A written spec sheet and a pre-shipment inspection against it are the two cheapest ways to avoid this.

How Epic Sourcing helps

Epic Sourcing works with US hospitality operators and retail furniture brands to source sofas and upholstered furniture directly from vetted manufacturers in Foshan and Dongguan, with a bilingual team on the ground checking frame construction, foam density, and fabric quality before goods ever leave the factory. Learn more about our quality control and factory audit services, or read our guide on how to vet a Chinese manufacturer. Talk to our team about your next furniture order — no pressure, no obligation.