Products & prices
Sunglasses from China come in a variety of materials and styles.
Frames and temples are available in brass, acetate, NiAg, acrylic, PC, Monel, memory metal and resin, AlMg, stainless steel, CR-39 or titanium.
Temples are commonly in gunmetal, burgundy, white, gold or silver. R&D for these components is focused on detailing, and adopting combined materials and metal trimming in geometric or floral designs.
An increasing number of suppliers are releasing polarized lenses made of PC, acrylic or cellulose triacetate that protect the eyes from glare. The first is the most popular as it is light, durable and shock-resistant.
Lenses protected from UV rays, scratches and fog are also available. Recent releases can come in progressive or color-fading styles.
The majority of factories outsource lenses and process them in-house. To remain cost-efficient, most plants procure low-end and midrange variants from local or Taiwan-invested providers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong and Fujian provinces.
High-end releases use special lenses and other patented components from Italy, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Germany, the UK or the US.
Regardless of quality or source, the lenses adopted meet CE and FDA standards.
Suppliers focus on enhancing aesthetics and function of sunglasses. In terms of design, suppliers create versions similar to Revo and Ray-Ban styles.
Further, sports variants come with more practical 10-degree curved lenses and rubber temple tips. TPR is also used for the tip and nose pad to heighten comfort.
Prices are mainly determined by the components adopted, including frames, lenses and trimming.
Low-end sunglasses are quoted below $1.80. They have brass, NiAg, acrylic or PC frames and temples. The lenses are PC or acrylic with a mirror coating.
Locally sourced materials are used for the nose pads, hinges and temple tips.
The majority of releases are promotional items. Some offer UV400 protection.
Midrange models are $1.80 to $4.50 for plastic types and $1.80 to $7.50 for metal pairs.
Monel, memory metal, AlMg, stainless steel, CR-39 or acetate frames and temples are usually fitted with acetate temple tips.
The lenses are CR-39 with multicolor, gradated mirror or Revo copy coating. These have UV400 protection, and may be embellished with acrylic crystals.
High-end plastic and metal variants exceed $4.50 and $7.50, respectively.
Designs adopt imported stainless steel, titanium, acetate or memory resin frames and temples. The latter can be engraved or electroplated in gold.
Releases are also fitted with polarized lenses and have Revo mirror coating. Add-ons include an MP3 player, FM radio, compass and flash disk functions.
With rising operating costs, quotes increased about 10 percent YoY in 2H09.
Most suppliers plan, however, to keep rates stable in the next six months, although prices of high-end models may increase up to 10 percent due to the additional outlay.
