Sourcing Guide · 5 min read

10 Questions to Ask Before Ordering Party Tents from China

Party tents — or marquee tents — are one of the most popular event products imported from China. But first-time buyers often get burned by unclear specifications. Here are the 10 questions you must ask before placing an order.

1. What frame material is used? — Steel (painted or galvanized?) or aluminum? Aluminum is lighter but more expensive.
2. What is the fabric GSM? — Minimum 180 g/m² for standard use; 220+ g/m² for commercial rental fleets.
3. Is the fabric PVC-coated or PE-coated? — PVC lasts longer and is fire-retardant. PE is cheaper but less durable.
4. What is the wind resistance rating? — Properly anchored tents should withstand 60-80 km/h winds.
5. Are fire-retardant certificates available? — Required for events in Europe (DIN 4102 B1, CPNI 84) and many US states.
6. What's included in the package? — Frame, cover, sidewalls, pegs, ropes, carry bag? Get a packing list.
7. Can you customize the color and printing? — Even small orders (10-20 sets) for single-color custom print.
8. What is the assembly time? — A 3x6m tent should be erectable by 2 people in under 20 minutes.
9. What is the spare parts policy? — Can you order replacement covers or frames later?
10. What are the shipping costs? — From Guangzhou/Shenzhen ports, compare LCL (less container) vs FCL options.

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