MOQ questions — deep-dive Q&A for Italy buyers
Why MOQ exists, what ours are by SKU type in Italy, when surcharges apply, how to combine orders to meet MOQ, IVA 22% on small orders.
Typical MOQs by category
T-shirts (screen print): 50 units. T-shirts (embroidery): 25. Hoodies: 25. Caps: 50. Bottles & tumblers: 100. Tech (powerbanks, USBs): 100. Tote bags: 50. Notebooks: 100. Apparel custom-cut: 250. Custom dye-house ('full-Pantone'): 500. Lower MOQs (often 10) available for sampling — see the bundles category.
Why MOQ exists
Two real costs: setup (printer's plates, embroidery digitisation, dye-house calibration) and minimum batch size on factories (loading 10 units in an industrial dye vat wastes 90% of capacity). Below MOQ, the per-unit price would 5–10×. We let you order below MOQ via the 'Sample bundle' SKUs (priced at the higher per-unit but no MOQ surcharge).
Combining orders to meet MOQ
If you order 30 T-shirts + 25 hoodies on one PO and both are below MOQ, we can combine setup so each meets MOQ (50 = 30+20 we add to inventory; 25=MOQ already). Talk to your AE for combined-MOQ deals. Frame agreement customers in Italy get pooled-MOQ across the year (place 50 T-shirts spread across 4 orders).
FAQ
What's the lowest possible order?
10 units for sampling (bundles category). 1 unit for branded gifts (premium price, custom-routed).
Do you ever waive MOQ?
Rarely — for strategic accounts or when we have existing inventory in Italy matching your spec. Ask, we'll be honest about whether it's possible.
MOQ for repeat orders?
Lower — typically 50% of first-order MOQ (e.g. 25 T-shirts on repeat). Setup costs are amortised.
What about urgent small orders?
Bundles + air freight from Milano = next-day for 90% of Italy postcodes. IVA 22% applied; price premium 25–40%.
MOQ in EU vs Italy — different?
Same — we standardise across the EU. Country-specific differences only in print methods (some printers only domestic, e.g. specialty embroidery only at the Milano hub).