Minimum order quantity — what the number actually means
An honest explainer for MOQ on corporate merch in Italy — why suppliers set it, how to negotiate it, and where the real cost breakpoints sit in 2026.
What MOQ really is
MOQ is not arbitrary. It is the quantity below which the set-up cost dominates the unit cost — at which point the order economics turn ugly for both supplier and buyer. For a screen-printed tee with a 4-colour design, set-up runs €120–200 (one screen per colour). Spread across 50 units, that's €3 per tee added; spread across 500, it's €0.30. MOQ exists because below it, the unit price is misleading.
By category in Italy 2026: T-shirts MOQ 50; hoodies 50; caps 50; mugs 36; bottles 100; notebooks 100; tote bags 100; power banks 50; USB drives 100; onboarding boxes 25.
Where the breakpoints sit
Three breakpoints matter: MOQ floor (set-up dominates below this), economic order quantity (lowest landed cost per unit — usually 3–5× MOQ), and volume-discount tier (5–18% off at 500/1000/2500 units depending on category). Order at MOQ if you must; order at EOQ if you can plan ahead; order at volume tier if you can store.
For most Italy corporate clients with 80–250 employees, the EOQ for apparel sits around 250–400 units (allowing for size mix and onboarding buffer). For bottles and notebooks, EOQ runs 300–600. Below MOQ, consider digital-print methods (no set-up) — DTG for tees, UV-DTF for bottles.
Italy logistics and IVA 22% angle
Italy clients often ask if MOQ can be split across two delivery dates — yes, with a small storage fee at the Milano bonded warehouse. Invoicing is on dispatch (not order placement), so IVA 22% is applied to the delivered batch only. This helps when budget periods straddle delivery dates. BRT / SDA / DHL Express Italia domestic shipping is consistent regardless of batch size — the per-parcel cost dominates below 5 units, the unit cost dominates above.
FAQ
Can MOQ be negotiated?
For repeat clients yes, by ~20%; for first orders rarely below set-up economics.
What's the cheapest way under MOQ?
Digital print (DTG, DTF, UV) — no set-up, slightly higher unit cost.
Can I split MOQ across SKUs?
Yes if same substrate and same print method; not if different colours / fabrics.
What if I need 30 units?
Pay MOQ and store the surplus, or use a digital-print short-run method.
Do volume discounts apply on top of MOQ?
Yes — typical tiers at 250 / 500 / 1000 / 2500 units.