5 Questions to Ask Before You Set a Minimum Order Quantity

Minimum order quantities are one of the most common sticking points for brands launching a new SKU. Before you sign off on a supplier's MOQ, it's worth asking a few questions.

1. Is the MOQ per SKU or per order? Some suppliers let you mix bottle sizes or colours within a single order to hit the minimum; others don't.
2. What happens to tooling costs at lower volumes? Custom moulds and printing plates are often amortised into the unit price — a lower MOQ may mean a higher per-unit cost.
3. Can you scale down after the first order? A strong first run sometimes lets you negotiate a lower MOQ for repeat orders.
4. Is stock packaging available below the custom MOQ? Standard shapes in standard colours usually carry much lower minimums than fully custom tooling.
5. What's the lead time at your MOQ? Smaller runs aren't always faster — factor this into your launch timeline.

We stock a wide range of standard bottles, jars, and closures specifically so new brands can launch without committing to custom tooling on day one.