Sunglasses are treated as protective products in many markets, so lens protection and correct marking matter as much as style. Branded frames are widely copied, and reading glasses and optical frames bring extra rules.
Italian maker of optical frames and sunglasses with private label production
Wenzhou maker of sunglasses and optical frames with OEM and private label
Dutch eyewear wholesaler of sunglasses and reading glasses with private label service
A dark lens does not guarantee UV protection. Dark tint without a UV filter can be worse than no tint, because the pupil opens wider. Ask what UV protection level the lens provides and whether the supplier can supply test evidence. Lens material also matters: polycarbonate is impact resistant and light, CR-39 plastic has good optics, glass scratches less but breaks, and cheap acrylic can distort. Polarized lenses need a check, and a simple test with a known polarized sample or another pair rotated against them will show whether the filter is real.
In Europe, sunglasses are personal protective products and must carry CE marking and a category rating, and the same applies to some other regions with their own standards. In the United States, sunglasses are regulated as medical devices in some respects, so check the rules for your market. Children's sunglasses and toy sunglasses face tighter rules. Ask for the declaration of conformity and the test report, and do not accept a mark without paperwork behind it.
Check hinges, screws, nose pads and frame finish. Acetate frames feel better and cost more than injection-molded plastic or thin metal. Metal frames may release nickel, so skin-contact limits such as REACH can apply. Ask about frame sizes, since the sizing is printed inside the arm and differs by product.
Reading glasses are sold in a range of strengths, and the strength mix in a carton affects how fast it sells. Ask for the strengths, and whether assortments are balanced to common demand. Prescription frames and ready-made reading glasses may require extra marking or licensing as medical devices in some markets, so check the rules before selling. Contact lenses are tightly regulated and usually require a professional license.
Sunglasses sell mostly in spring and summer, with an early buying window. Units are commonly packed in display trays or boxes of assorted styles, and spinner display racks are often offered. Ask about cases, cleaning cloths and swing tags, since they affect presentation and how the product shows damage in transit.
Counterfeit and grey-market risk
Designer sunglasses are among the most copied accessories. Unbranded fashion frames are safer to source, while branded frames need authorized-distributor evidence. A fake frame may also have lenses that offer no UV protection, which turns a legal problem into a safety one.
Margins
Fashion sunglasses carry wide margins at low unit cost, but a weak summer or an unsold tray hurts. Plan for markdown at season end.
Questions to ask a supplier
Tint does not prove it. Ask the supplier for a test report and a declaration of conformity, and treat sunglasses without these as a risk.
In Europe, sunglasses are protective products and need CE marking with a filter category. Other markets have their own rules, so check the rules for your market.
It depends on the country, since some regulate ready-made reading glasses as medical devices or require specific marking. Confirm the rules for your market before listing them.
Order ahead of spring, because the window for good styles closes early. Unsold stock can be carried to the next summer if the style is classic.
WholesalersCatalog currently lists 3 suppliers for this search. Each profile shows a Trust Score, so you can see what has been checked before you get in touch.
The largest groups are in Netherlands (1), China (1) and Italy (1).
Check the company registration and street address, ask for trade references and start with a sample or small order. Be careful with suppliers who only accept untraceable payment methods. The Trust Score on each profile shows which of these signals we could confirm.
