Sourcing Phone Cases Wholesale from China: Complete Guide

Phone cases are one of the most beginner-friendly China sourcing categories. MOQs are low, unit costs are very low, certifications are minimal, and demand is perpetual — every new iPhone or Galaxy release creates a fresh wave of accessory buyers.

The downside is competition. Phone cases are the most crowded product category on Amazon. The only way to compete is with differentiation: better materials, a specific niche, better design, or a brand story.

Product Types and Factory Costs

TPU clear cases ($0.50–1.50 factory cost): Transparent flexible cases showing the phone’s original color. The commodity baseline. No sustainable business here unless you’re doing volume.

Silicone cases ($0.80–2.50 factory cost): Soft-touch matte silicone. Popular for premium feel at low cost. Compatible with MagSafe on iPhone 12+ models if magnets are incorporated.

Hard PC cases ($0.60–1.80 factory cost): Polycarbonate. Thin, protective, light. Often used in the “frosted” case aesthetic.

TPU + PC hybrid bumper cases ($1.20–3.00 factory cost): Two-layer construction. Better drop protection. The “standard” protective case most buyers recognize.

Rugged/heavy duty cases ($2–7 factory cost): Multi-layer construction, raised bezels, reinforced corners. Competes at $15–30 retail. Buyers include construction workers, outdoor users, parents buying for kids.

Leather cases and wallet cases ($3–12 factory cost): Genuine leather or (more commonly) PU leather. Folio-style or slim card holders. Strong gift and business gifting market.

MagSafe cases with wallet accessories ($4–15 factory cost): Magnetic ecosystem accessories aligned with iPhone 15/16 MagSafe standard. Includes cases, wallet attachments, ring holders, car mounts. One of the fastest-growing phone accessory sub-categories.

Custom-printed cases ($1.50–4 factory cost for basic print): Photo printing, art prints, or custom design cases. Popular as personalized gifts and for brand merchandise.

Where to Source

Shenzhen (Shajing and Gongming areas) and Guangzhou (Baiyun district) have the highest concentration of phone accessory manufacturers. The Shenzhen electronics accessory cluster can produce new case designs within 3–5 days using 3D-printed molds, making this category unusually fast to get samples.

Alibaba has deep coverage for phone cases. Searching by specific phone model (e.g., “iPhone 16 Pro Max case manufacturer”) will return factories that already have the molds.

Certifications

This is one of the few electronics-adjacent categories with minimal certification requirements.

No FCC required for basic cases (no electronics). Cases with built-in batteries, wireless charging, or LEDs do need FCC.

RoHS compliance is standard to ensure materials don’t contain restricted substances. Ask for RoHS declaration for any finished goods.

MagSafe compatibility certification (for Apple MagSafe cases): Apple doesn’t formally certify third-party “MagSafe compatible” cases (as opposed to “MagSafe” which is trademarked). Third-party MagSafe-style cases simply need to have magnets in the correct pattern to work with the MagSafe ecosystem. No licensing fee required.

Drop test documentation: Not legally required but a strong marketing claim. ASTM F735 (static drop) and MIL-STD-810G (military drop standard) are commonly referenced. If your factory tests to these standards, get the test report.

MOQs

Generic designs (existing mold, your label): 50–100 units per model. The lowest MOQs in all of electronics accessories.

Custom color/finish on existing mold: 100–200 units.

Custom design (new mold): 500–1,000 units. New injection molds cost $300–1,500 depending on complexity. For a new phone model, a mold is needed regardless — factories are incentivized to create molds quickly after each Apple/Samsung release.

Custom print (sublimation or UV): 50+ units per design. Good for print-on-demand style operations.

The Competition Problem and How to Beat It

Every Amazon search for “iPhone 16 case” returns thousands of results. Most are identical TPU cases from the same factories. Winning here requires:

Specificity. “Case for rock climbers with carabiner clip” beats “protective case.” “MagSafe wallet case in genuine leather” beats “leather case.” Niche buyers are underserved.

Material quality. Buyers can feel the difference between $0.80 generic TPU and $3 premium silicone. The $3 product gets better reviews and commands a higher price. The Amazon fee is the same either way, so the $3 product is more profitable.

Bundling. A case + tempered glass screen protector + camera lens protectors as a bundle reduces direct comparisons and allows higher pricing.

Brand. Most phone case brands are forgotten. The ones that survive have either a style story (Peak Design’s engineering-focused outdoor cases), a lifestyle story (Casetify’s artist collaboration model), or a quality story. Pick one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MOQ for custom-designed phone cases? For a brand-new design requiring a new injection mold: 500–1,000 units minimum. Mold costs typically $300–1,500. For a standard design with your custom print or logo: 50–100 units. Phone case MOQs are among the lowest in consumer electronics sourcing.

Do phone cases require FCC certification? Basic cases without electronics don’t require FCC. Cases with built-in wireless charging coils, batteries, or LED lighting do. Most cases with no electronic components have no mandatory certifications in the US, though RoHS compliance documentation is good practice.

What’s the typical profit margin on phone cases sold on Amazon? A case costing $2 factory + $0.80 shipping + $0 tariff (no FCC required reduces cost vs. electronics) = $2.80 landed. Selling at $12–15 looks like a 4–5x multiplier. But after Amazon’s 15% referral fee, FBA fulfillment ($2.50–3.50), and PPC advertising costs, real profit per unit is typically $2–4. Volume and brand building are how successful sellers make this work.

When should I create a new case mold vs. using existing molds? Use existing molds when a new phone model is just released and you need to move fast. Create a new mold when your differentiation comes from the case shape itself (e.g., a built-in battery, a unique clip attachment, a custom kickstand design). A new mold adds cost but creates a product that can’t be exactly replicated by every competitor.

What materials work best for drop protection? Two-layer TPU + PC construction with reinforced corners is the most tested combination. The inner TPU absorbs shock; the outer PC distributes the impact. For maximum protection, a full surround design with raised camera and screen bezels is required. Single-layer TPU provides minimal real drop protection despite being marketed as protective.