Knowledge base · Technical note
MOQ and how to phase a first order
A minimum order quantity is a production reality, not a sales tactic. But there are ways to start smaller without giving up the factory price.
Where MOQ comes from
Casting, punching and finishing are set up per run. Below a certain quantity, the setup cost per unit rises faster than the material cost falls — which is why a factory cannot simply accept a smaller order at the same unit price.
Our standard MOQ starts from 500 pcs for the mechanical self-storage lock families, and from 50 pcs for the Bluetooth smart padlock. Some models, or orders with heavy customization, require more. The exact figure is confirmed with your quotation.
Strategy 1 — validate with a sample first
Samples run from 5 days, and the sample fee is refundable against a bulk order. Use the sample to confirm fit, finish and keying before committing to the MOQ. This is the single most effective way to reduce first-order risk.
Strategy 2 — phase by model, not by quantity
Instead of ordering 150 of four models, order the full MOQ of your highest-runner model first, and add the others on the next order. You get factory pricing on the model that matters most, and real field feedback before committing to the rest.
Strategy 3 — check stock before you assume
Selected high-runner items may be available from regular production stock. Availability changes, so ask for the specific model rather than assuming. We confirm the current position rather than listing everything as in stock.
Strategy 4 — consolidate across families
If your requirement is spread across padlocks, cylinders and latches, combining them into one order and one shipment often clears the threshold where any single family would not. Mixed orders are consolidated in Wenzhou.
What to do if you are genuinely below the threshold
Tell us. We would rather say so than take an order and struggle with it. Sometimes the answer is a different model, sometimes it is buying from stock, and sometimes it is honestly that a factory order is not the right fit for your quantity yet.
Confirm it on your own doors
Send a door photo, the cylinder size or the mounting dimensions. We confirm fit with a physical sample before you commit to a quantity.
What readers ask next
Being below the threshold is workable, with conditions.
Can the minimum be split across two models?
Often yes, which is what phasing by model is for. Send the mix you want and the minimum can be checked against that combination before you commit.
Does a sample order count toward the minimum?
No. A sample is a separate transaction so the product can be evaluated before committing to a quantity. What it removes is the risk of finding a problem at full quantity.
How long does a first batch take?
A batch is typically around 30 days. Samples come first and are the quickest part of that schedule, so the keying or configuration step is what actually moves the date — confirm it early.