Most Chinese factories set a minimum order quantity (MOQ) because every production run has fixed setup costs. To buy small quantities you can choose products the factory already makes, accept a higher unit price, leave custom details for later, or work with a sourcing agent that has no minimum order. Dropfit has no minimum order: you can start with a few units and reorder when the product sells.
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Why do Chinese suppliers set a minimum order?
- Setup costs: preparing machines, moulds or printing for a production run costs the same for 50 units or 5,000.
- Materials bought in bulk: fabric, components and packaging often come with their own minimums.
- Customisation: a logo, a special colour or custom packaging usually raises the minimum.
How can you buy small quantities from China?
- Start from products the factory already makes, in standard colours and sizes.
- Accept a higher unit price on a small first run, and negotiate it down when you reorder in volume.
- Leave custom details for later: add your logo and branded packaging once the product sells.
- Work with a sourcing agent with no minimum order, who places your small order with the right factory.
Is a small first order safer?
Yes. The Italian Embassy in Beijing reports that the most frequent problem when buying goods from China is commercial disputes and fraud, typically non-delivery or goods that don't match the order; for companies it highlights non-delivery "in particular for trial orders". It advises starting with small transactions and never paying the full price upfront. A small first order limits what you risk while you test the supplier and the product.
More checks in our guide on how to find and verify the real factory.
How does Dropfit handle small orders?
- No minimum order: you start with the quantity you need.
- Quote within 24–48 hours with unit price, production time and shipping costs.
- Order by order or in stock: we ship each order to your customers or deliver to your warehouse, and if needed keep your stock in our warehouse in China to ship faster.
- We monitor stock levels and plan production based on your sales, so you reorder at the right time.
- Shopify orders reach us automatically, with tracking added to your store (how it works).
Frequently asked questions
Are there Chinese suppliers with no minimum order?
Some factories accept small orders for products they already make, usually at a higher unit price. A sourcing agent with no minimum order, like Dropfit, lets you start with a few units.
Can you negotiate the MOQ with a Chinese factory?
Often yes, especially for products the factory already makes: accepting a higher unit price, a standard colour or no custom logo usually lowers the minimum.
Is it safer to start with a small order?
Yes. The Italian Embassy in Beijing advises starting with small transactions and not paying the full price upfront; non-delivery on trial orders is one of the problems it reports most often.
Does Dropfit have a minimum order?
No. You can start with a few units and reorder when the product sells.
Start small, scale when it sells
- No minimum order.
- Quote with price, production time and shipping costs within 24–48 hours.
- Dropshipping, delivery to your warehouse, or stock in China when it speeds up delivery.
- Support in English, Italian and Chinese.
Send us a photo or link on WhatsApp or Telegram.
Sources
- Italian Embassy in Beijing – Guide to caution in business dealings with China (in Italian) · June 2024
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.