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MOQ, Lead Time & Quality Control: What to Expect When Working with Chinese Furniture OEMs
The Expectation Gap
Buyers want Amazon convenience. Manufacturers operate on batch production and economies of scale. This article bridges that gap with realistic expectations.
1. MOQ: Why Manufacturers Set Minimums
| Scenario | MOQ |
|---|---|
| Standard, in-stock fabric | 5-10 units |
| Custom fabric color | 15-25 units |
| Custom dimensions (OEM) | 20-50 units |
| Fully custom ODM | 50-100+ units |
| Repeat order | 50-70% of first MOQ |
2. Lead Times
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Order & payment | 2-3 days |
| Raw materials | 5-10 days |
| Production | 10-15 days |
| QC inspection | 1-2 days |
| Loading & port | 2-3 days |
| Ocean (Shanghai→LA) | 14-18 days |
| US customs | 3-5 days |
| Total | 37-56 days |
Golden rule: add 7-10 days buffer for first order.
3. Quality Control
| Order | Sample (AQL 2.5) | Max Defects |
|---|---|---|
| 20-25 | 20 (100%) | 1 major/2 minor |
| 50 | 8 | 0 major/1 minor |
| 100 | 20 | 1 major/2 minor |
| 200+ | 32 | 2 major/3 minor |
4. Payment Terms
Standard: 30% deposit, 70% before shipment after PSI. Wire transfer (T/T). L/C for $50K+.
Working With OEMs: A Partnership
Winners visit the factory, communicate clearly, pay on time. Return: priority slots, flexible reorder MOQs, early access to new designs.
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