MOQ, lead time, and pricing for OEM ski protection from China
Sourcing ski protection from Chinese OEM factories offers significant cost advantages — typically 30–60% lower landed cost than European or North American manufacturers — but the MOQ, lead time, and pricing structure differ from domestic sourcing. This guide covers the standard terms PEONYHK and other Chinese ski protection factories offer, plus practical strategies to minimize risk and total cost for first-time orders.
Standard MOQ: 100 pieces for stock designs, 500 for full custom
MOQ (minimum order quantity) depends on whether you want stock designs with custom logo or fully custom design. For stock designs (PEONYHK's existing 25 SKUs) with your custom logo and packaging, MOQ is 100 pieces. For fully custom design (your own sketch, materials, and dimensions), MOQ is typically 500 pieces due to mold and tooling setup costs. Some categories — like kids protection and basic EVA knee pads — have lower MOQ (50 pieces) because they use existing tooling. PEONYHK supports small MOQs to help brands test markets before scaling.
Lead time: 5-7 days for samples, 15-25 days for production
Sample lead time at PEONYHK is 5-7 business days after artwork approval. For small custom orders (under 500 pieces), production is 15-20 days after sample approval. For larger orders (1,000+ pieces), production is 20-25 days. Add shipping time on top: 7-10 days for express air, 25-35 days for sea freight from China to Europe or North America. Plan orders at least 90 days before peak retail season to avoid stockouts during the ski season.
Pricing structure: unit price by tier
PEONYHK prices ski protection by quantity tier. As a rough guide (factory direct, EXW Dongguan): back protector vest starts at USD 18-25 per piece at 100-piece MOQ, dropping to USD 12-15 at 1,000-piece MOQ. Knee pads start at USD 5-8 per pair at 100-pair MOQ, dropping to USD 3-4 at 1,000-pair MOQ. Impact shorts start at USD 12-18 per piece at 100-piece MOQ, dropping to USD 8-10 at 1,000-piece MOQ. Custom logo and packaging add 5-10% to unit price. Sea freight and import duty add 15-25% to landed cost depending on destination.
Payment terms: 30/70 is standard
Standard payment terms for Chinese OEM factories are 30% deposit on order confirmation and 70% balance against Bill of Lading copy or before shipment. First-time customers typically pay 50/50 until a relationship is established. After 2-3 successful orders, terms can move to 20/80 or LC at sight. PEONYHK accepts T/T (bank transfer), LC (letter of credit), and PayPal for samples. Avoid 100% upfront payment — it's a red flag for quality risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between FOB and EXW pricing?
EXW (Ex Works) means you pay the factory price and arrange your own shipping. FOB (Free On Board) means the factory delivers to the Chinese port and you pay ocean freight. CIF includes cost + insurance + freight to destination port. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means the factory handles everything including import duty in your country. PEONYHK offers all four terms; first-time buyers usually start with FOB.
How do I avoid scams when sourcing from China?
Verify the factory's business license, ISO 9001 certification, and BSCI audit. Request video call for a factory tour. Order third-party inspection (QIMA, AsiaInspection) before shipment. Use escrow payment or LC for first orders. PEONYHK welcomes factory tours and customer inspections.
Can I mix SKUs in one order to meet MOQ?
Yes, as long as the total piece count meets MOQ. PEONYHK allows mixing sizes and colors within a single SKU. Mixing different SKUs (e.g., back protector + knee pads) is also allowed if each SKU meets its individual MOQ.
What if I need smaller MOQ for a new market test?
PEONYHK offers 100-piece MOQ for stock designs. Some categories (kids protection, basic EVA knee pads) accept 50-piece MOQ. Below these levels, we can sometimes accommodate via sample pricing — effectively treating the small order as a paid sample run.
Need a quote for OEM ski protection? PEONYHK provides factory direct pricing, 5-7 day sample lead time, 100 pcs MOQ, and full EN 1621-1 certification. Send your requirements to vivi@hkpeony.com for a 24-hour quote response.