Phone accessories from Shenzhen
This is the category with the lowest barrier to entry and the fiercest competition. Winning here is not about finding the lowest price: it is about finding a factory that holds the same quality on the tenth order.
Respuesta rápida
How do you buy phone accessories in China without losing money in the attempt?
Phone accessories are sourced in Shenzhen because it holds the world's largest concentration of factories making cases, screen protectors, cables and chargers, with Huaqiangbei as the reference point for pricing and variants. Minimum order quantities are usually low — 100 to 500 units per reference — but margins are thin, so the difference between profit and loss lies in quality control, packaging cost and freight volume, not in the unit price.
Category data
- Typical MOQ
- 100 – 500 units per reference
- Lead time with stock
- 7 – 20 days
- Lead time with customisation
- 20 – 40 days
- Where the factory is
- Bao'an, Longgang and Dongguan
- Price reference
- Huaqiangbei, Futian district
- Typical certifications
- RoHS, REACH and FCC or CE depending on destination
- Weight and volume
- Light; freight is paid by volume, not by weight
Why this category is decided by packaging, not price
A phone case costs between thirty cents and three dollars depending on material and finish, and sells at retail for several times that. With margins like these, anyone can compete on price, and that is why nobody wins by competing on price: there is always someone willing to sell cheaper with worse material.
The real gains are in two places. The first is packaging: a product that arrives in a printed blister is perceived as a brand and sustains a price 40% higher than the same product in a plastic bag. The second is chargeable volume: accessories are light and bulky, so freight is paid on the space occupied, and removing unnecessary packaging cuts the transport bill without touching the product.
The problem of consistent quality
The most common mistake is approving an excellent sample and receiving a different batch. In accessories this happens above all with three things: the thickness and transparency of the TPU in cases, the hardness of the tempered glass and its oleophobicity, and the actual copper cross-section in charging cables.
A cable that looks identical from the outside can carry copper strands of a smaller cross-section and charge at half the speed. It is a defect that does not show up in a photo and only surfaces when the end customer complains. That is why in this category we measure: conductor cross-section, resistance, and a real charging test on a sample from the batch, not just a visual inspection.
Customisation: when it is worth it
Customising with your brand usually requires between 500 and 1,000 units per reference, and the cost of the printing tooling only pays back if you are going to repeat the order. For a first market test it is almost always better to buy neutral product, validate demand and customise later on the references that work.
The exception is packaging. Changing the box or the blister to your brand is much cheaper than customising the product, has a bigger impact on the perceived price, and requires no new tooling if you choose a standard box with a printed label.
Certifications and applicable regulation
Every product category has its own regime. This table summarises what each standard requires and what it is for; which one applies to your specific product depends on its classification, and we confirm that before production.
| Standard | What it covers and why it matters |
|---|---|
| RoHS | Restriction of hazardous substances. Required in the EU and adopted voluntarily by many buyers. |
| REACH | European chemicals regulation. Applies to plastics, inks and coatings. |
| FCC (USA) | Mandatory for any electronic device with an oscillator or radio emission. |
| CE / LVD / EMC (EU) | Electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility. |
| NOM (Mexico) | Mandatory technical regulation depending on category. Verify before production. |
| ANATEL (Brazil) | Mandatory homologation for product with a wireless function. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order quantity for phone accessories?
The minimum order quantity for phone accessories is between 100 and 500 units per reference at most Shenzhen factories, and it can drop to 50 if you accept product in the manufacturer's neutral packaging. For customisation with your own brand, the minimum usually rises to 500 or 1,000 units because the printing tooling has to be paid off.
Can I mix several references in one order to reach the minimum?
In many cases yes, and a mixed order is the smartest way to start. Many factories accept a mixed order of several references as long as the total reaches their production minimum. This reduces the risk of being left with stock of a single reference that does not sell.
How much does freight for phone accessories from China cost?
Consolidated sea freight for phone accessories from China is quoted per cubic metre and air freight per kilo, charged on the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight. Because accessories are light and bulky, you almost always pay by volume rather than by weight. That is why repacking and removing air from the packaging has a direct, measurable impact on the freight invoice.
What certifications do I need to sell phone accessories in Mexico?
The certification requirements for phone accessories in Mexico depend on the product. Items that do not emit radio and operate at low voltage have limited requirements. Anything that includes a lithium battery, a wireless function or a power supply falls into regulated categories and may require NOM certification. We check the scope before production, because obtaining it after shipment means the cargo has to be held.
How do I prevent the quality of the second order from being worse than the first?
With two concrete measures: keeping a sealed, signed sample of the approved batch, and measuring an objective parameter on every batch instead of only looking at photographs. For cables, the actual conductor cross-section; for cases, the thickness and hardness of the material; for tempered glass, the hardness and the curvature angle. Without a reference sample and a measurement, the comparison is an impression, not a control.
Other categories we source
Audio: earbuds and speakers
TWS earbuds, headphones, portable speakers. The category where wireless certification gets forgotten most.
Batteries, chargers and power banks
The category where logistics outweigh price. Without UN38.3, the cargo does not ship.
LED lighting
Strips, panels, fixtures and drivers. Where a cheap driver ruins an expensive product.
Components, modules and PCBA
Industrial purchasing and board assembly. A different buyer, a different process, a different conversation.
Commission this sourcing
Tell us what you need to buy
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We reply within 24 business hours. See how the process works