A minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest order a Chinese factory will accept, set to cover setup, materials, and production-line costs. MOQs vary widely by product — from dozens of units for simple goods to thousands for custom items — and can often be negotiated by paying a higher unit price, accepting stock materials, or consolidating orders.
What MOQ Means and Why Factories Set It
Factories set an MOQ because each production run carries fixed costs — machine setup, material purchasing in bulk, and line time — that must be spread across the order. Below a certain quantity, the run is unprofitable or impractical. MOQ can apply per product, per colour or variant, or per material, which is why a 'low MOQ' can still become large once variants are added.
Typical MOQ Ranges by Product Type
| Product type | Typical MOQ range |
|---|---|
| Simple stock items (no customisation) | 50–500 units |
| Custom packaging or light branding | 500–3,000 units |
| Custom-moulded or tooled products | 1,000–10,000+ units |
| Textiles / apparel (per colour/size) | 300–1,000 per variant |
| Electronics with custom PCB | 500–5,000 units |
These are general ranges, not rules. A factory's real MOQ depends on materials, tooling, and how much it wants the order.
How to Lower or Negotiate MOQ
- Pay a higher unit price — the most direct trade-off for a smaller run.
- Use stock materials and colours — avoid custom inputs that carry their own minimums.
- Order a trial run — frame a small first order as the start of a larger relationship.
- Consolidate variants — fewer colours/sizes keeps per-variant minimums down.
- Source through a partner — a sourcing agent's combined volume can unlock lower minimums.
When a Low MOQ Is a Warning Sign
A factory offering a surprisingly low MOQ on a custom product may be a trader planning to subcontract, or may be cutting corners on materials. If the minimum seems too good for the customisation involved, verify the supplier carefully — see how to verify a factory.
Key Takeaways
- MOQ covers a factory's fixed run costs.
- Custom inputs raise the minimum; stock inputs lower it.
- Higher unit price is the most direct way to cut MOQ.
- Unusually low MOQ on custom goods warrants verification.