Chairs are the highest-volume furniture category in the 2026 export market: one restaurant or hotel project can move hundreds of pieces, and retail buyers constantly refresh accent, dining, lounge and wooden chair SKUs. For importers, the question is the same — how to choose chairs from a China factory without getting burned on frame quality, upholstery finish or inconsistent production batches.
This guide is the chair sourcing checklist from QONKA HOME, a China furniture manufacturer operating since 2016, covering accent, dining, lounge and wooden chair styles, the frame and upholstery checks that matter, FOB prices, MOQ rules and the Fuzhou Qiankun Manufacturing Co., Ltd. factory-direct process.
1. Why China Chair Factories Keep Winning Global Orders in 2026
Chinese chair manufacturers hold the supply advantage for three reasons: (1) integrated production — wood frames, metal frames, upholstery and packing all happen in one factory cluster, which cuts lead time and simplifies quality accountability; (2) fast style iteration — a single factory can produce 6–12 new chair designs per quarter following EU/US retail trends; (3) flexible MOQ — from 50-piece retail SKU runs to 500-piece hospitality projects, China chair suppliers match the batch size buyers actually need.
2. Accent, Dining, Lounge and Wooden Chair Styles in 2026
The table below compares the four main chair categories importers source in 2026. Accent chairs lead the living-room statement piece; dining chairs are the highest-volume SKU across restaurants and retail; lounge chairs serve the cozy reading / hotel lobby trend; wooden chairs stay the steady classic for farmhouse and mid-century markets.
| Category | Typical frame | Upholstery | Best market | Typical FOB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accent chair | Solid wood / gold metal base | Velvet / boucle / linen | Home furniture retail, boutique | $35–$120 |
| Dining chair | Metal wire / solid wood / plastic | Fabric / PU / wood seat | Restaurants, hotels, retail sets | $18–$80 |
| Lounge chair | Wood frame / metal frame | Boucle / linen / velvet | Hotel lobby, living room, reading corner | $55–$200 |
| Wooden chair | Solid wood (ash / oak / beech / parashorea) | Wood seat / PU / fabric pad | Farmhouse, mid-century, restaurant | $25–$90 |
Ask QONKA HOME for frame detail photos and weight per piece before quoting — the difference between a $25 dining chair and a $70 dining chair is usually in frame material, joinery method and upholstery density, not the shape of the backrest.
3. Frame and Upholstery Quality Checks for Chair Importers
Before approving production, verify: (1) frame material and joinery — solid wood chairs need mortise-and-tenon or dowel joinery, not just staples; metal frames need welded joints, not only screws; (2) upholstery foam density — 25+ kg/m³ for seat cushions, below that the chair compresses within months; (3) fabric or leather quality — Martindale rub count, colorfastness grade and whether the material passes CA117 or BS5852 fire standards for your market; (4) weight capacity testing — dining chairs should hold 120 kg minimum, lounge chairs 150 kg, with written test reports for contract projects.
4. Dining Chairs for Restaurants and Hospitality Projects
Dining chairs are the workhorse category: one 200-seat restaurant project means 200–300 chairs, usually 2–3 styles across dining, bar and private rooms. For hospitality buyers, the most important checks are stackability (for storage and event use), commercial-grade upholstery (50000+ rubs), frame warranty, and consistent finish across a 500-piece batch. Confirm the factory has commercial project experience and can provide finish sample sets before mass production.
5. FOB Prices and MOQ from a China Chair Factory
| Category | Typical FOB (Fuzhou/Xiamen) | MOQ |
|---|---|---|
| Accent chair (velvet / boucle) | $35–$120 | from 50 pcs |
| Dining chair (fabric / PU / wooden) | $18–$80 | from 100 pcs |
| Lounge chair (fabric / boucle) | $55–$200 | from 30 pcs |
| Wooden chair (solid wood) | $25–$90 | from 100 pcs |
MOQ rules at QONKA HOME: chair styles start from 50–100 pcs per SKU depending on frame and upholstery; mixed-container MOQ from 20–50 pcs per style (combine chairs, sofas, tables and storage in one container); OEM customization (custom fabric, color, logo, different leg finish, packaging) from 200 pcs; samples 1–2 pcs first with the fee credited back against the bulk order; bulk lead time 20–40 days after sample approval.
6. Mixing Chair Styles in Container Shipments
Most importers mix 2–5 chair styles in one 20′ or 40′ container, plus tables, sofas or storage pieces to fill the cube. Confirm packed dimensions per SKU, the loading layout with photo evidence, and how the factory protects corners and upholstery during transit. A factory that documents container numbers and loading photos on every shipment is a factory you can reorder from every season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can different chair styles be mixed in one container?
Yes — mixed containers are the most efficient way to import chairs and other furniture. QONKA HOME allows from 20–50 pcs per style across accent chairs, dining chairs, lounge chairs and wooden chairs, plus tables, sofas and storage in a single 20′ or 40′ container, which lowers freight cost per piece and keeps one supplier accountable for the whole program.
What is the typical lead time for a custom chair order?
Normally 20–40 days of production after sample approval, plus ocean transit (US West Coast 20–30 days, Europe 28–40 days) from Fuzhou/Xiamen ports. For hospitality project deadlines, confirm the frame stock, fabric stock and shipping line in writing at the quote stage.
Where can I buy QONKA HOME chairs directly?
You can buy QONKA HOME chairs directly from the factory through the official catalog at qonkahome.com, or contact the sales team for B2B quotes with frame photos, upholstery swatches and compliance documents. Direct orders cover the full checklist above: material samples, mixed-container MOQ, KD packing plans and pre-shipment inspection — with a single manufacturer accountable from frame to container.
Who is Fuzhou Qiankun Manufacturing Co., Ltd.?
Fuzhou Qiankun Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is the parent manufacturing company of the QONKA HOME brand, operating furniture production in China with export focus on North America, Europe and Oceania. It covers the full production chain — wood frames, metal frames, upholstery, finishing and KD packing — which is why chair buyers get one accountable partner for material, quality, compliance and delivery.
QONKA HOME publishes monthly factory-sourcing and trend guides for furniture importers. Follow the blog for chair, sofa, bed, table and storage category reports, and contact us any time for a free factory-direct quote.
