MOQ · Minimum Order Quantity
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is the smallest number of units a supplier is willing to sell in one order.
Manufacturers set MOQs because small runs aren't worth their setup costs. A quoted MOQ is usually a starting point for negotiation: suppliers often accept a lower quantity at a higher unit price, especially for a first trial order.
MOQ drives your upfront cash commitment and your risk. A 1,000-unit MOQ on an unvalidated product is a very different bet from a 200-unit trial run, which is why sellers weigh MOQ alongside demand evidence, not after it.
Why it matters
MOQ sets the size of the cheque you have to write before you've sold a single unit, which makes it one of the main risk levers in sourcing.
Related terms
See MOQ on real products
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