The process, start to finish
Most buyers want to know two things before they contact anyone: how long this takes, and what they are committing to at each step.
| Stage | What happens | Typical duration | What you commit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Enquiry | You send product details, target price, quantity, destination | — | Nothing |
| 2. Quotation | We reply with unit price tiers, MOQ, lead time, compliance scope | 24 hours | Nothing |
| 3. Sampling | Stock sample dispatched, or custom sample developed | 5–7 days stock / 10–15 days custom | Sample fee |
| 4. Sample approval | You approve, or we revise until it matches | Varies | Nothing |
| 5. Order confirmation | Proforma invoice issued with specs locked | 1–2 days | Deposit |
| 6. Production | Materials purchased, line scheduled and run | 15–30 days typical | Balance before shipment |
| 7. Inspection | Inline and pre-shipment AQL check, report sent | 1–2 days | Nothing |
| 8. Shipping | Booking, loading, documents, tracking | Per mode | Balance cleared before dispatch |
1. Enquiry — what to send
The faster you give us these five things, the faster you get a real number rather than a range:
- Product — photo, link, or physical sample
- Quantity — first order and expected annual volume
- Target price — even a rough one; it tells us which factory tier to approach
- Destination — country and, for Amazon, the marketplace
- Customization — logo, colour, packaging, or none
If you have no product yet and only a concept, skip to our custom toy OEM process.
2. Quotation
You receive a quote sheet with:
- Unit price at multiple quantity breaks
- MOQ per SKU and per colour
- Production lead time from deposit
- Compliance scope and testing cost, quoted separately
- Packaging options and their cost impact
- Freight estimate if you want landed cost
We quote what we can actually deliver. If a target price is not achievable at your quantity, we say so and explain what would make it achievable.
3. Sampling
| Sample type | What it is | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock sample | Existing product, as-is | Unit price + freight | 5–7 days to dispatch |
| Customized sample | Stock product with your logo or colour | Sample fee + setup | 10–15 days |
| Developed sample | New tooling, new mould, new product | Tooling cost + sample fee | 20–35 days |
Sample fees are credited against your first bulk order in most cases — confirmed on the quotation, not assumed.
4. Mould and tooling ownership
This is the clause buyers most often get wrong, so we state it plainly:
- You pay for the tooling, you own the tooling. Moulds developed with your money belong to you.
- Moulds are held at the factory for your production. On request, we can arrange transfer or documented destruction.
- We do not reuse your mould, artwork or packaging for any other client.
- Where you provide designs, we sign an NDA before sampling begins.
- If your product infringes a third party’s IP, we will tell you before production rather than after a customs seizure.
5. Payment terms
Standard terms
| Stage | Share | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Order confirmation | 30% deposit | T/T (bank transfer) |
| Before shipment | 70% balance | T/T |
| Small orders | 100% in advance | T/T, PayPal, or Trade Assurance |
Other accepted methods — Trade Assurance, PayPal and Western Union are available depending on order value and destination. Letter of credit is possible for large orders with agreed terms.
Payment terms are confirmed on the proforma invoice for each order and may differ for new customers, custom tooling, or high-value orders. Nothing is charged before you approve the PI.
6. Production and updates
Once the deposit clears:
- Materials are purchased and the line is scheduled
- We send production photos at first-article stage
- Any deviation from the approved sample is raised with you before the line continues
- Delays caused by material shortages or factory capacity are reported immediately, not at the shipping date
7. Inspection before balance payment
The pre-shipment inspection happens before the balance is due, so you are not paying the full amount for goods nobody has checked.
If the lot fails, it goes back for rework at the factory’s cost and is re-inspected. Details of the AQL levels and defect classes are on our quality and compliance page.
8. Shipping and documents
Choose EXW, FOB or DDP. We send a loading report with photographs and the container seal number on the day of dispatch, plus commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading. Full detail on shipping and logistics.
Cancellation and claims
| Situation | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Cancelled before materials purchased | Deposit refunded, minus sampling costs already incurred |
| Cancelled after production begins | Deposit covers committed materials and labour; remainder refunded or goods shipped |
| Quality failure at inspection | Rework or replacement at factory cost, re-inspection before shipment |
| Damage in transit | Insurance claim supported by loading photographs and seal record |
| Wrong item shipped | Replaced at our cost |
Claims are raised in writing with photographs. We respond within 2 working days with a resolution.
Start an enquiry
Common questions
What is the minimum order?
It depends on the product. Stock items start from 10 pcs on some SKUs; customized production typically starts at 500–1,000 pcs. Each product page states its own MOQ.
Can I order a single sample first?
Yes, and we recommend it. Sample cost is usually credited against the bulk order.
Do you work with new Amazon sellers?
Frequently. We handle CPC documentation, FNSKU labeling and FBA carton prep, which is usually the part new sellers cannot do themselves.
Can you source a product I found on Alibaba?
Yes — and we will tell you if the factory behind that listing is one we already work with, or if the quoted price looks unrealistic.
What if I need a product that doesn’t exist yet?
That is the OEM process: concept, drawing, tooling, prototype, approval, production. See custom toy OEM.