Minimum order quantity — "MOQ" — is often the first number a new supplement brand asks about and the least understood. Here is what it means, why it exists, and how to use it to your advantage.
What is an MOQ?
The MOQ is the smallest order a manufacturer will accept for a given product. It exists because every production run has fixed costs: material setup, machine changeover, labor, QC testing and packaging setup. Below a certain volume, the unit cost becomes unrealistic for both sides.
What is a fair MOQ for supplements?
It varies by dosage form and complexity:
- Powders and capsules — often the most flexible; trial batches can start from 100 units per SKU.
- Tablets — tooling and compression setup may push MOQs higher.
- Gummies and softgels — higher setup complexity, so MOQs tend to be larger.
- Custom packaging — bottles, blisters and printed cartons add their own minimums.
A partner that offers a genuine trial-batch MOQ (rather than locking you into a large first order) is worth more than a slightly lower per-unit price at scale.
How trial batches work
A typical path for new brands:
- Order a small trial batch (e.g., 100 units) to validate product, packaging and sales.
- Test the market — e-commerce, retail, or direct distribution.
- Scale with reorders, often at progressively better unit pricing as volume grows.
This keeps your cash outlay small while the supplier builds your production history — which also speeds up later orders.
Questions to ask before ordering
- What is the MOQ per dosage form and per SKU?
- Does custom packaging change the MOQ?
- What is the per-unit price at trial volume vs scale?
- Can I start with one SKU and expand later?
- Are samples free, and how long do they take?
How Haiyue Shengda works
Our MOQ starts from 100 units per SKU for trial batches, so new brands can validate before scaling. Samples arrive in 3–5 days, and shipment happens within 7 days with a COA for every batch. See our FAQ or contact us — we respond within one hour.