MOQ sounds intimidating, especially for small buyers.

MOQ stands for “Minimum Order Quantity¹.” It’s the smallest amount a supplier is willing to sell per order.

I remember the first time I contacted a supplier, the word "MOQ" popped up everywhere. I had no idea what it meant. But once I understood it, everything made sense.

What Does FOB and MOQ Mean?

These two terms often appear together in supplier quotes.

FOB² means “Free On Board,” and MOQ is the minimum order quantity required by the supplier.

Common terms in international trade

Term	Full Form	Meaning
FOB	Free On Board	Seller delivers goods to the ship port
MOQ	Minimum Order Quantity	Lowest amount a supplier will produce

When a supplier says “FOB Ningbo, MOQ 1000pcs,” it means they will deliver goods to Ningbo port, and the order must be at least 1000 pieces. These terms help set expectations clearly in international transactions.

What Does MOQ Mean in Alibaba?

Why do MOQs on Alibaba³ always seem so high?

On Alibaba, MOQ is a preset quantity suppliers need to cover basic production costs and profit.

Suppliers on Alibaba often work with factories. To make production efficient, they set a minimum quantity. For example, producing 300 bottles may cost more per unit than producing 1000. That’s why the MOQ might be 500, 1000, or more.

Tips to lower the MOQ on Alibaba:

• Ask: “Can you accept a lower MOQ for a trial order?”
• Offer to share mold or shipping costs.
• Be honest about your business size and future potential.

Suppliers may adjust if they see long-term value in working with you.

What Is the MOQ Price?

Is MOQ linked to the price per unit?

Yes. MOQ price⁴ refers to the unit price offered when the minimum order quantity is met. It’s usually the best price tier.

The higher your order quantity, the lower the cost per piece. Suppliers calculate based on raw material, setup, labor, and packaging. Here's an example from my plastic bottle orders:

MOQ vs. Price table

Quantity	Unit Price (USD)
100 pcs	$0.70
500 pcs	$0.50
1000 pcs	$0.45

So when you negotiate MOQ, you’re also negotiating the best possible price.

What Is MOQ in Chinese?

How do Chinese suppliers⁵ talk about MOQ?

MOQ in Chinese means "最小起订量", which translates to the smallest acceptable purchase quantity.

Chinese suppliers use this term daily. For example:

• “MOQ is 1000pcs” means their machines run best at that number.
• “Mixed styles MOQ 500pcs” means you can mix colors or designs, as long as the total is 500.

Common Chinese phrases:

• “我们的MOQ是1000个。” (Our MOQ is 1000 pcs.)
• “可以混款，但要满足MOQ。” (You can mix styles, but MOQ must be met.)
• “量越大，价格越低。” (More quantity, better price.)

These are lines I hear and use almost every day when communicating with factories and clients.

What Does MOQ Stand For?

Why does everyone use this term so often?

MOQ stands for “Minimum Order Quantity.” It’s used to define the minimum purchase requirement for a specific product.

If you're sourcing in bulk — bottles, jars, caps, boxes — suppliers need to know you're serious. MOQ helps filter buyers and manage factory workloads. It also sets the base line for production scheduling.

What Is MOQ in Chat?

What does MOQ mean when someone mentions it casually in chat?

In chat, MOQ still means “minimum order quantity,” especially during sourcing conversations.

Whether on WhatsApp, WeChat, or Alibaba messaging, you’ll see phrases like:

• “MOQ pls?”
• “Too high MOQ.”
• “Can you do lower MOQ?”

In my daily chats with customers or suppliers, this comes up constantly. I’ve learned that being friendly and clear helps. A simple, “Can we start with a smaller MOQ for testing?” often works better than a long explanation.

Conclusion

MOQ means the smallest number of items a supplier is willing to sell per order.