Reference · Commercial terms
MOQ and Lead-Time Table
Four volumes a buyer actually places, with what each one changes about tooling, sequencing and territory.
Lead time is not a single number; it is a sum of decisions. Whether you need a new tool, whether artwork is approved, and whether the order has to be sequenced around peak season all move the date. The table below takes four real volumes and sets out what changes at each, using the terms published on the wholesale page.
| Volume | Tooling | Indicative sequence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 units — wholesale minimum | None; existing tooling | Samples 3–5 days, then production 25–35 days | Minimum may be mixed across models |
| 200 units — reorder minimum | None | Shorter scheduling window than a first order | Applies to repeat models already in your range |
| 500 units — first private label run | Existing tooling, new artwork | OEM lead time 15–25 days after sample approval | Logo, colour and retail box all changeable |
| 3,000+ units a year | Buyer-commissioned tooling available | New mould 45–60 days to first article | This is the threshold at which catalogue exclusivity is discussed |
For a custom tool rather than an existing one, add the first-article stage: 45–60 days from design freeze to a physical part you can hold, and only then does the production clock start. The OEM timeline is drawn out step by step on the private-label page.
- Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics & Supply Chain Management, 5th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education.
- Silver, E. A., Pyke, D. F. & Peterson, R. (1998). Inventory Management and Production Planning and Scheduling, 3rd ed. New York: Wiley.
- Fisher, R., Ury, W. & Patton, B. (2011). Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In, 3rd ed. New York: Penguin Books.
Questions on this reference
Can the minimum be mixed across models?
Yes. Wholesale minimum of 300 units may be spread across the catalogue, which is the practical way to test several models in one order.
What is the fastest realistic turnaround?
Samples dispatch in 3–5 business days. For production on an existing tool with artwork already approved, 15–25 days is the realistic band; a new mould adds 45–60 days to first article before production starts.
Why does freight grow faster than production?
Because consolidation does. Production scales with units on a line; freight scales with volume, mode and how many suppliers are being consolidated into one booking — so the last week of a large order costs more calendar than the first.
Can I mix models to reach the wholesale minimum?
Yes, all 25 models can be mixed within one order. It is the cheapest way to test several shapes of demand at one quantity, and it is usually better than committing the whole first order to one SKU.
Next: how a first order is split across models — or where the days in a lead time go.