In short: China's sunglasses manufacturing is centred on Danyang in Jiangsu province — often called the world's eyewear capital, producing an estimated 70% of global frames and lenses — alongside private-label specialists in Shenzhen and Wenzhou. Wholesale FOB pricing for a basic private-label pair starts around $1.20–$3.50, with MOQs typically 300–1,000 units per style. Finding a factory is the easy part — the real risk for US brands is UV400 and ANSI Z87.1 compliance, since sunglasses marketed as UV-protective, polarized, or suitable for sports carry real labelling and testing obligations that most first-time importers overlook until a shipment gets flagged.

Where Are Sunglasses Actually Manufactured in China?

Most fashion and private-label sunglasses trace back to Danyang, a mid-sized city in Jiangsu province that manufactures the majority of the world's eyewear frames, lenses and finished sunglasses. Danyang factories range from small workshops doing basic acetate and metal frames to vertically integrated manufacturers that mould their own lenses, plate their own metal parts and run full assembly lines.

Shenzhen and Wenzhou host a smaller cluster of factories that specialise in sports eyewear, polarized lenses and higher-spec private label work — useful if your product needs impact resistance, interchangeable lenses or a more technical build than a standard fashion frame.

How Much Do Private Label Sunglasses Cost from China?

Pricing depends heavily on frame material, lens type and finishing, but the table below gives realistic FOB ranges for a private-label order.

A custom frame mould typically costs $1,500–$4,000 upfront, which is why most first-time brands launch with an existing frame shape and customise the color, lens tint, temple branding and packaging instead.

What US Compliance Rules Apply to Imported Sunglasses?

This is where most new importers get caught out. Three things matter most for the US market:

• UV400 rating — if you claim any UV protection on packaging or marketing, the lenses need to actually block 99–100% of UVA/UVB rays, and you should hold a lab test report proving it, not just a supplier's word
• ANSI Z87.1 — required if you market sunglasses as safety eyewear or for sports/occupational use; this is a specific impact-resistance and optical-clarity standard with its own lab testing
• General CPSC product safety — standard consumer product requirements apply, including that frames don't have sharp edges or small parts that pose a choking hazard if sold with kids' styles

None of this is usually hard to meet — Chinese eyewear factories are used to producing for the US market — but you need the test reports in hand before you list the product, not after a retailer or marketplace asks for them.

How Do You Vet a Sunglasses Factory Before You Order?

Ask for the lens material specification (polycarbonate vs CR-39 vs glass), request the actual UV400 test report tied to your specific lens tint (not a generic factory certificate), and confirm hinge type and durability testing if you're building a fashion brand people will wear daily. A factory audit — either in person or through a sourcing partner with a team on the ground — is the fastest way to confirm the factory can actually produce what the sample promised at full production volume.

How Long Does It Take to Get Custom Sunglasses Made and Shipped to the US?

Budget 15–25 days for sampling and revisions, then 30–45 days for production once you approve the final sample, plus transit time (25–35 days sea freight to major US ports, or 7–10 days air freight for smaller orders). Most first-time brands should plan for 10–12 weeks from confirmed design to inventory in a US warehouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the minimum order quantity for custom sunglasses?

Most factories ask for 500–1,000 units per style if you're customising color and lens tint on an existing frame mould. A fully custom frame shape usually requires 1,000+ units to justify the mould cost.

Do I need FDA approval to sell sunglasses in the US?

Plain non-prescription sunglasses generally aren't regulated as medical devices, but if you market any vision-correcting or specialty medical claim, FDA rules can apply — check with a compliance specialist before making those claims.

Can I get my logo printed on the lens or temple?

Yes — temple branding, custom lens tints, and branded cases or pouches are standard private-label options and typically don't require a new mould.

Are Danyang factories good enough for a premium eyewear brand?

Yes, with the right factory — Danyang manufactures for many recognised global eyewear brands. Supplier selection and quality control determine the outcome far more than the region itself.

Can Epic Sourcing help me find a private label sunglasses manufacturer?

Yes. Our bilingual team verifies lens specifications and UV400/ANSI test reports in person, manages sampling, and oversees quality control before your order ships to the US.

How Epic Sourcing Helps

Sourcing sunglasses from China is straightforward once you know which cluster to work with — the harder part is proving your UV and safety claims hold up. Epic Sourcing's on-the-ground team verifies lens and frame specifications, checks UV400 and ANSI Z87.1 test reports before you commit, and manages quality control and factory audits so you're not relying on a supplier's word alone. Get in touch to talk through your product idea — no pressure, no obligation.

If you're sourcing multiple accessory categories, our guide to the Guangzhou watch market for Singapore & SEA importers covers a similar private-label playbook for watches. US brands may also want our guide on how to find a sourcing agent in the USA and our Guangzhou sourcing agent guide for more on working with an on-the-ground team.

Last updated: 21 August 2026