MOQ, Samples & Lead Time: What to Expect When Sourcing from China
The practical timeline from inquiry to container — quotes, samples, tooling, production and shipping — so you can plan your launch with confidence.
The most common question from new buyers is not “can you make it” — it is “how long will it take and what does it cost to start”. Here is what a realistic project looks like with a specialized manufacturer, and the numbers you should expect.
The typical timeline
| Stage | Standard product | Custom OEM / ODM |
|---|---|---|
| Quote response | Within 24 business hours | Within 24 business hours (concept discussion may follow) |
| Physical sample | 3–7 days | Prototype in days for qualified designs |
| Tooling + T1 sample | — | Mold development, then T1 sample for sign-off |
| Volume production | Per order schedule | After sample approval |
| Sea freight to US/EU | Typically 2–4 weeks depending on port and service | |
MOQ: what is realistic
For standard products, MOQ starts around 50–200 pieces per style per color — low enough for testing a market. For custom tooling projects, the MOQ reflects amortizing the mold investment, so it depends on part size, material and design complexity. Ask for the MOQ breakdown per style, per color: that is where costs actually sit.
Samples: always verify before volume
A graded card slab is a precision object — no drawing substitutes a physical fit test. On every order we recommend:
- Request samples of the exact product styles you plan to sell.
- Fit them against the exact slab versions your customers use (PSA, BGS, CGC, SGC or TAG).
- Approve the sample before production, and keep it as the reference for QC on volume runs.
For custom development, the OEM process includes prototype and T1 sample stages specifically for this verification. Send us your product and target quantity and we will return specifications, MOQ, sample terms and lead time.