Deadstock vs Stocklots: Two Different Supply Streams
The direct answer: deadstock is unsold fabric and trims, not finished garments. Stocklots are finished garments. They come from different suppliers, sell at different prices, and face different customs treatment. Mixing the two in your planning produces pricing and import errors.
Part of the buyer journey: Understanding Stocklots: The Model From the Inside — stage 1 of 8, with the other guides for this stage.
What deadstock actually is
Deadstock is fabric rolls, yarn, thread, buttons, zips, labels and other components that were produced but never used. It is genuine, it is often high quality, and it is usually sold by the metre or by weight rather than by the piece.
It appeals to buyers who intend to make garments, which is a different business from reselling finished clothing. If you are buying to resell finished garments, deadstock is not a substitute and will not behave like a stocklot.
Why the customs distinction matters
Fabric and finished garments are classified differently for import purposes, and the duty treatment is not the same. Buyers who receive fabric described as garments discover this at clearance, and the consequence is delays and reassessment rather than a small surcharge.
Ask for the correct description on the commercial invoice and make sure your own broker is working from the same classification. Being accurate here is cheaper than being fast.
Where the confusion comes from
Some sellers advertise both under the word stock, and some genuinely do not know the difference. That is not dishonesty, but it will cost you time if you are planning around finished garments and receive rolls of fabric instead.
The fix is unglamorous: confirm whether you are buying finished garments or components, in writing, before the price is agreed.
What stocklots are available right now?
Reading is step one. Send your requirement and we will check the factory network for current options.
Buyer questions, answered
Is deadstock cheaper than finished garment stocklots?
Deadstock is usually cheaper per unit because it has not been cut or sewn, but it is not comparable per unit: you are buying metres, not pieces, and you have to make the garment yourself. If you are reselling finished clothing, only finished stocklots are comparable.
Can I sell deadstock as clothing?
No, not directly. Deadstock is a component. You would need to arrange manufacture from it, which is a different supply chain entirely, with different capabilities and different economics.
Can a supplier sell both?
Often yes, particularly larger exporters. Just be clear in the order which stream you are buying, because the packing, pricing and documentation differ and conflating them creates customs and pricing errors.