LED Under-Cabinet Lights (Rechargeable & Motion-Sensor): The Complete Sourcing Guide

Why this product sells

• Solves a real problem: brightens dark kitchens, wardrobes, hallways—no wiring needed.
• Renter-friendly: magnetic/adhesive mounting; no drilling.
• Energy-efficient & safe: low-voltage LEDs, auto on/off via motion sensor.
• TikTok/UGC friendly: before/after lighting upgrades perform well on social feeds.
• Great economics: low unit cost, compact shipping, strong bundles (2–6 bars per kit).

Product anatomy (what buyers expect)

• Form factors: slim bars (20–30 cm most common; 30–40 cm = premium), and puck lights for spot lighting.
• Brightness: 100–200 lumens per bar for battery models (task lighting sweet spot).
• CCT (color temperature): 3000K warm / 4000K neutral / 6000K cool; ideally 3-CCT switchable.
• CRI (color accuracy): ≥80 standard; ≥90 for premium sellers (truer colors on countertops).
• Battery: 1,500–2,200 mAh Li-ion typical; USB-C charging; target ≈10 h continuous or 40–60 days in motion mode (depending on use).
• Motion sensor: PIR ~120° FOV; 3–5 m range; auto-off ~20 s; modes = Auto / On / Off.
• Mounting: magnetic back + adhesive metal plates (3M-class tape); optional screws.
• Build: PC/ABS housing, matte diffuser, aluminum heat spreader/backplate.
• Protections: FOD (for wireless-charging kits), over-temp via NTC, OVP/OCP on the driver.

Must-have certifications & documents (by destination)

(Always confirm local requirements with your importer or compliance lab.)

United States

• Safety: UL/ETL routes commonly reference low-voltage lighting (UL 2108) and LED safety (UL 8750) for the LED portions.
• EMC: FCC Part 15 (unintentional radiator).
• Battery transport: UN 38.3 test summary for lithium cells/packs.

European Union / UK

• Safety: EN/IEC 60598-1 (luminaires—general requirements & tests).
• EMC: EN 55015 (emissions) + EN 61547 (immunity) for lighting.
• Chemical/EPR: RoHS, WEEE; and the EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 (labeling/QR info, take-back, etc., phasing in).
• UK: mirror with UKCA equivalents.

GCC / Middle East (if applicable)

• Check national schemes (SASO/SABER in KSA, ECAS in UAE) for low-voltage + EMC; lithium battery transport applies everywhere.

Pakistan (importer guidance)

• Coordinate with your customs broker on any SROs that affect LED fixtures and batteries. Keep UN 38.3 and test reports ready; Daraz/Amazon-style listings also benefit from clear specs, wattage, and run-time disclosures.

HS codes (for quotes & customs)

• Rechargeable, portable lamp (battery powered): HS 8513.10
• Hard-wired/mains fixtures (if you choose that variant): HS 9405.xx (Exact sub-code varies by design/material; confirm locally.)

Where to source (and why)

• China lighting clusters: Zhongshan (Guzhen) and Ningbo are the biggest ecosystems for ODM/OEM lighting; Shenzhen/Dongguan excel at electronics integration and accessories.
• Trade portals & fairs: Alibaba, Global Sources, HKTDC; lighting expos in Guzhen and Hong Kong are ideal to see dozens of factories side-by-side.
• Branded distribution (fastest path): Consider carrying private-label-friendly factory lines first; later, develop your own housing/finish to differentiate.

Typical 2025 factory metrics

• MOQ: 300–1,000 units per model/color.

• Lead time: 25–45 days (stock tooling/colors); +2–3 weeks for custom molds/finishes.

• Indicative EXW pricing (guidance only):

  • 20–30 cm bar, 150–200 lm, 3-CCT, 1,500–2,200 mAh: US$4.50–7.50
  • 30–40 cm bar, metal frame, high-CRI: US$6.50–10.00
  • Puck lights (60–80 lm/puck): US$1.50–3.00
  • 2–3 bar kits with cable & plates: US$8–15

Copy-paste RFQ template (send this to suppliers)

Subject: RFQ – Rechargeable Motion-Sensor LED Under-Cabinet Light (30 cm Bar)

Hello [Factory Name],

We’re sourcing a rechargeable LED under-cabinet light with motion sensor. Please quote EXW and FOB [port] for 500 / 1,000 / 2,000 units and provide recent test reports.

Specs

• Size: ~30 cm bar (please share exact dimensions)
• Brightness: ≥150–200 lm per bar, uniform diffusion (no hotspots)
• CCT: 3-CCT (3000/4000/6000 K) switch or DIP
• CRI: ≥90 (quote also for ≥80)
• Battery: ≥2,000 mAh Li-ion, USB-C 5 V input; ≈10 h continuous or 40–60 days in Auto mode
• Sensor: PIR 120°, 3–5 m, auto-off ~20 s
• Mounting: magnetic back + adhesive metal plates (3M-class), include 2 plates/bar
• Protections: NTC over-temp, OVP/OCP
• Materials: PC/ABS housing, aluminum backplate, matte diffuser
• Accessories: USB-C cable (1–2 m), quick-start card
• Packaging: retail box suitable for e-commerce (drop-test certified)

Compliance (share reports)

• UN 38.3 battery test summary
• FCC Part 15 (or EN 55015 / EN 61547), EN/IEC 60598-1; RoHS, WEEE (if available)

Quality & Warranty

• 12–24-month warranty; RMA terms
• AQL plan for PSI: AQL 0/1.0/2.5 (critical/major/minor)

Please attach: data sheet, BOM highlights (LED package/driver IC/battery brand), certificates/test reports, production lead time, and photos/videos. Thanks, [Your Name / Company]

Supplier vetting checklist

• Papers: recent UN 38.3, EMC (FCC/EN 55015), EN/IEC 60598-1, and RoHS/WEEE declarations for this exact model.
• Build quality: aluminum backplate, clean diffuser, strong magnets; ask for magnet pull-force spec.
• Electronics: stable driver, thermal design (NTC cutoff), consistent LED binning.
• Battery: reputable cell brand; confirm labeled vs. actual capacity on samples.
• Process control: golden sample, IQC checks, burn-in records, traceable lot codes.
• After-sales: spare parts, response time, DOA policy.

Quality control you can run (PSI/FQI)

1. Brightness & CCT: measure lumens and verify 3-CCT switch positions.
2. Runtime: continuous mode for 2 hours—surface temperature must stay within safe limits; confirm projected run-time vs. spec.
3. Motion tests: trigger at 1 m / 3 m / 5 m; verify auto-off ~20 s.
4. Charge test: recharge via USB-C; check full-charge time (aim ≤2 h on 5 V/1–2 A).
5. Mounting: magnet snap test; 72-h adhesive aging on sample surfaces.
6. Sampling plan: e.g., AQL 0/1.0/2.5 (critical/major/minor).

Packaging that reduces returns

• Retail-ready box with internal tray; protect the diffuser from scratches.
• Clear icons: USB-C • 3-CCT • PIR 120° • 10 h Runtime • Auto-Off 20 s • Magnetic Mount.
• Include 2 metal plates per bar (plus spare adhesive) and a simple visual quick-start guide.
• Barcodes (EAN/UPC), proper ratings, importer details, and recycling marks.

Pricing & margin example (transparent math)

Assume a 30 cm bar with 200 lm and 2,000 mAh battery:

• EXW: $6.50
• Inland to port: $0.10 → $6.60
• Sea freight (bulk): $0.50 → $7.10
• Insurance: $0.02 → CIF $7.12
• Import duty (10% on CIF): $0.71 → $7.83
• VAT/Sales tax 15% (applied to CIF+duty): $1.17 → Landed ≈ $9.01
• Overheads (packaging, 3PL, returns buffer): $0.60 → Total ≈ $9.61
• List price: $19.99 → Gross margin ≈ $10.38 (≈52%)

Bundles (2-pack / 3-pack) can push AOV to $24.99–$39.99 with shipping nearly flat, improving blended margins.

Positioning & differentiation (how you win)

• Two SKUs to start:

  1. Value Bar — 150 lm, CRI≥80, single CCT (lowest price).
  2. Premium Bar — 200 lm, CRI≥90, metal back, 3-CCT, braided USB-C cable, 2-year warranty.

• Make brightness real: show photos of one bar under a 60 cm cabinet; include lux/coverage diagram.

• Solve buyer friction: add extra plates/adhesives; include a cable clip; write a clear “how to place the sensor” tip on the insert.

• Bundles that convert: 2-pack for kitchens; 3-pack for wardrobes/hallways.

Go-to-market channels & SEO

• Amazon / Noon / Daraz / Shopify:

  • Title: “LED Under-Cabinet Light, USB-C Rechargeable, 3-CCT, 200 lm, Motion Sensor 120°/10 ft, Auto-Off 20 s, Magnetic Mount”.
  • Bullets: brightness, battery, CCT, sensor range, run-time, mounting accessories, warranty.
  • A+ Content: wiring-free install storyboard, brightness chart, “what’s in the box,” QC badges.

• Content ideas: short reels showing install in under 60 seconds, before/after shots, nighttime auto-on demo.

Risk control (and how to avoid headaches)

• Battery claims: never inflate mAh; spot-check real capacity.
• Sensor false triggers: tune sensitivity; advise customers on optimal mounting height/angle.
• EMC surprises: ask factory for recent test reports; pre-scan if you customize the driver/PCB.
• Adhesive failures: ship spare plates/adhesives; advise surface prep (clean/dry).
• Returns policy: define DOA window; keep a small swap stock for fast replacements.

Sample launch timeline (first order)

• Week 0–1: shortlist 5 factories, send RFQ, receive quotes/samples.
• Week 2: pick winner; confirm artwork/packaging; place PO (30% deposit).
• Week 3–6: pilot build; pre-shipment inspection (PSI) at AQL 0/1.0/2.5.
• Week 6–8: sea freight + customs clearance.
• Week 8–9: inbound to 3PL, listing go-live, ads + influencer seeding.

Final checklist

• ✅ Clear spec (lumens, CCT, CRI, battery, PIR, runtime)
• ✅ Compliance pack (UN 38.3, FCC/EN 55015, EN/IEC 60598-1, RoHS/WEEE as needed)
• ✅ AQL QC plan + PSI booking
• ✅ Packaging drop-test and spare mounting hardware
• ✅ Two SKUs + bundle strategy
• ✅ Launch assets (photos, install video, before/after shots, A+ content)