What Is MOQ in China Sourcing?
MOQ stands for Minimum Order Quantity — the smallest amount a supplier is willing to produce for a single order. MOQs can range from 10 units (standard products) to 10,000+ units (custom manufacturing).
Why Do Chinese Factories Have MOQs?
Factories set MOQs to cover: raw material procurement costs, production line setup time, packaging material minimums, and labor allocation efficiency. A factory can't profitably run a production line for just 50 units if it costs the same to set up for 5,000.
Typical MOQs by Product
| Product Type | Typical MOQ |
|---|---|
| Standard consumer goods (existing design) | 100-500 units |
| Custom packaging | 500-5,000 units |
| Electronic products (custom) | 500-2,000 units |
| Garments and textiles | 200-2,000 pieces |
| Machinery | 1-10 units |
| Cosmetics | 1,000-10,000 units |
| Molded plastic products | 5,000-20,000 units |
How to Negotiate Lower MOQs
- Pay a premium: Offer 10-30% higher unit price for lower MOQ
- Use stock components: Avoid custom specs that require new tooling
- Combine with trading company: They aggregate orders across clients
- Start with samples + small batch: Prove your reliability as a buyer
- Negotiate MOQ on first order only: Promise higher volume on repeat orders
- Use a sourcing agent: CSMG Supply Chain negotiates better terms through volume leverage
Scorecard: Good vs Bad MOQ Terms
Good MOQ: Flexible, based on your needs, can increase with repeat orders
Bad MOQ: Rigid, high minimum that exceeds your budget or storage capacity
CSMG Supply Chain: Lower MOQs for Small Businesses
We combine orders across clients to negotiate lower MOQs and better pricing. Plus, our LC credit sales let you import without tying up capital in inventory. Contact us →