Understanding MOQ When Sourcing from China

MOQ — the minimum order quantity a factory will accept — is one of the first numbers you will encounter when sourcing from China, and one of the most misunderstood. It is not an arbitrary rule designed to annoy small buyers; it usually reflects real cost structures in the manufacturing process.

Where MOQs come from

For processes like injection molding, the MOQ is often driven by tooling: a mold only becomes economical once its cost is spread across enough parts. For textile dyeing, the limiting factor is the dye bath — dyeing 50 kg when the machine holds 500 kg wastes the same batch. For machining and fabrication, MOQs tend to be lower because setup costs per job are smaller.

Typical ranges by process

As a rough orientation: CNC machining and sheet metal work often start at tens to hundreds of pieces; injection molding commonly requires 1,000–10,000 pieces per run; fabric orders are frequently quoted per color in hundreds of kilograms. Treat these as starting points for negotiation, not fixed laws.

Four ways to work with high MOQs

First, ask whether the factory has stock tooling or standard products close to your design. Second, consider a trial order at a premium unit price — many factories accept it. Third, consolidate: one order with three SKUs is often more attractive than three small orders. Fourth, be flexible on color or material variants; using the same batch for multiple variants can satisfy the batch minimum.

Be honest about your volumes

Overstating projected quantities to get a lower unit price is a common mistake. The factory plans capacity around your forecast, and the relationship suffers when reality does not match. Buyers who state realistic volumes and grow orders over time usually get better cooperation than those who inflate numbers once.