1688 MOQ explained
The number under the price on a 1688 listing is not always the real minimum. Here is how to read it before you plan an order.
MOQ is minimum order quantity — 起订量 (qǐ dìng liàng) on 1688. It is the single number that decides whether a supplier is usable for your stage of business.
The four numbers hiding behind one "MOQ"
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| 起订量 2 | 2 pieces total — you can buy a sample |
| 混批 10 | Mixed wholesale: 10 pieces in total, colours and sizes can be mixed |
| 单色起订 50 | 50 per colour — total order can be much larger |
| 价格阶梯 100/500/1000 | Price breakpoints — buying 100 gives you a different unit price than 500 |
A listing that says "起订量 2, 混批 10" sounds like a 2-piece minimum but really wants 10 pieces. Always read both numbers.
Why factories set MOQs
- Setup cost. Changing a mould, mixing a colour or printing a logo costs the same whether you make 10 or 10,000 units.
- Material minimums. Fabric and packaging come in rolls/boxes — a factory may have to buy 500 m of fabric to make your 40 shirts.
- Allocation. A busy factory will not stop a 50,000-unit run to make your 20.
How to negotiate MOQ down (honestly)
- Ask for the MOQ of the stock colour. Custom colours have higher minimums; existing stock often has none.
- Offer to pay the setup fee. "I will pay the 300 RMB printing setup, can we do 50 pieces?" works surprisingly often.
- Buy a sample at retail price first. After one paid sample, the conversation changes — you are a buyer, not a browser.
- Mix products. Many factories will accept 100 units across 3 SKUs instead of 100 of one.
- Use 混批 listings to assemble a small order across several items from one seller.
SourceLens shows the MOQ next to every match, so you can filter to suppliers that fit your order size.
Search a photo →Rule of thumb by business stage
| Stage | Sensible order | Typical MOQ you can work with |
|---|---|---|
| Testing a product | 1–20 units | 2–10, sample pricing |
| Validated, first restock | 50–200 units | 50–100 |
| Scaling | 500–2,000 units | 200–500 with price ladder |
FAQ
Can I order below the MOQ?
Sometimes — you pay a higher unit price, or the seller splits your order across existing stock. Ask directly; many sellers quietly accept smaller orders from a serious buyer.
Does the MOQ include my custom packaging?
No. Custom packaging almost always has its own minimum (often 500–1,000 boxes), separate from the product MOQ.
Need the factory behind it — or help buying and shipping?
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