iIEQUITY MARKET
Minimum order quantities and samples: plan a first purchase
A minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest quantity a seller will accept under specified terms. Confirm what the minimum applies to, agree how a sample will be checked, and price the first order separately. A sample does not reserve stock or guarantee the quality of a later batch.
Prepared by iEquity Market · Published and reviewed:
Ask what the minimum actually covers
Write the requirement as a quantity with a unit and a scope. “100 units per colour” and “100 units across mixed colours” are different orders. Also distinguish a minimum quantity from a minimum invoice value. Ask whether the same condition applies to stock products and customised products.
| Decision | Ask the seller | Keep in writing |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum order | Does it apply per model, colour, size, carton or whole order? | Quantity, unit, permitted mix and any first-order exception. |
| Sample specification | Is it a stock sample, a custom prototype or a unit from production? | Exact version and differences from the intended batch. |
| Sample cost | What are the product, preparation and delivery charges? | Total, currency and whether any credit toward a later order is agreed. |
| Acceptance | Which characteristics will be measured or tested, and by whom? | Criteria, evidence and how disagreements will be handled. |
| First batch | Will the final goods match the approved version, and when can they arrive? | Final specification, quantity, price, dates and defect-resolution terms. |
Separate a sample from a trial order
Use a sample to examine specified characteristics. Use a trial order to assess the agreed small-batch process, such as packaging consistency and delivery coordination. Record which question each step must answer; buying more units is not a substitute for defining a test.
Prepare a simple acceptance record
For each required characteristic, record the agreed requirement, the observed result, the evidence date and the decision: accepted, rejected or needs clarification. Keep photographs or measurements where useful. Appearance alone cannot establish safety or regulatory compliance; any required product-specific checks need separate competent review.
If the minimum is too high, ask for a different scope
State the quantity you can realistically use. Ask whether a standard version, fewer variants or a separately priced trial order is available. Do not promise repeat purchases you cannot support. If no workable option is confirmed, keep the inquiry open or compare another proposal. iEquity Market has no universal MOQ or sample policy; each seller and product needs individual confirmation.
Further reading
Background reading on sample types and their limits. Alibaba.com’s platform features and payment protections do not describe iEquity Market services.
Alibaba.com: requesting product samples (English)Next step
iEquity Market currently accepts inquiries and seller introductions, starting with Armenia. Product availability, price and delivery require individual confirmation. Sending an inquiry is free, creates no purchase obligation and does not reserve stock. Online checkout is not available.