China manufactures a significant portion of the world's outdoor and garden furniture, with production concentrated in Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Fujian provinces. The Greater Bay Area cluster — centred on Zhongshan, Foshan, and surrounding areas — supplies a large proportion of the European and North American garden retail and hospitality markets. For buyers, China offers competitive pricing and broad material capability; for first-time buyers, the material selection and certification landscape can be confusing.
Material Selection: What China Does Best
Aluminium
Cast and extruded aluminium is the dominant material for premium export outdoor furniture. It is corrosion-resistant without additional treatment, lightweight for shipping, and accepts powder coat finishes well. Gauge thickness is the key quality variable — request minimum 2.0mm wall thickness for structural components and verify against your technical spec, not just the factory's claim.
Teak
Teak's natural oil content makes it exceptionally weather-resistant without finishing. China sources teak primarily from Myanmar, Indonesia, and plantation sources in Central America. For buyers requiring FSC-certified teak, the supply chain is narrower — verify FSC chain of custody certificates are current and that the specific product is covered, not just the factory's general certification.
Rattan and Wicker (PE Rattan)
Almost all "rattan" outdoor furniture exported from China is synthetic PE (polyethylene) wicker — engineered to look like natural rattan but weather-resistant and UV-stable. Specify UV resistance rating (UV hours or UV cycles to colour change) and ask for test certificates. Low-quality PE rattan becomes brittle and discolours within 1–2 seasons.
Textilene and Fabric
Textilene is a PVC-coated polyester mesh used for sling seating. Specify weight (grams per square metre), UV resistance hours, and whether the weave is coated or uncoated. For hospitality use, fire retardancy certification may be required.
Certifications by Market
| Market | Key Certifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EU / UK | EN 581 (seating), EN 1728 (strength), REACH | EN 581 required for retail claims |
| USA | ASTM F1561, CARB Phase 2 (wood products) | BIFMA for commercial/hospitality |
| Australia | AS/NZS 4438 (height-adjustable furniture) | General outdoor: no mandatory cert |
| All markets | FSC (if wood), CA65 (California, chemical limits) | Prop 65 warnings required for CA sales |
Shipping Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture presents specific logistics challenges. Assembled pieces are bulky; most factories offer KD (knock-down) packaging to maximise container utilisation. A 40ft container carrying assembled garden sets might hold 80–100 sets; the same sets KD-packed may fit 200–250. Verify that the buyer's assembly instructions are clear and hardware is correctly packaged — missing or wrong hardware is a common complaint category for KD furniture.
Cushions ship separately from frames in most cases — cushion fabric is assessed at different duty rates in some markets. Confirm customs classification for cushioned versus frame-only items with your broker before placing the order.
ChinaMakersHub connects global buyers with verified manufacturers across China's Greater Bay Area. Submit an inquiry to get introduced to vetted factories in your category.