Wholesale has its own vocabulary, and getting tripped up on it costs money. Once you understand a handful of terms, MOQ, lead time, shipping terms and landed cost, you can plan orders and cash flow with confidence. Here's the plain-English version.
The one habit that protects your margin: Always price from your landed cost, not the supplier's unit price. Landed cost is what the goods truly cost you, delivered.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
The smallest quantity a supplier will sell, sometimes per style or color, sometimes per total order. Lower MOQs let you test demand without overcommitting; higher MOQs usually unlock better unit pricing. Know the MOQ per SKU before you plan your range.
Lead times
The total time from placing your order to receiving stock, covering production, any custom branding, and shipping. The classic mistake is ordering seasonal stock too late, so build a buffer into your timeline: inventory needs to arrive before demand peaks, not during it.
Shipping terms and landed cost
- Landed cost = unit price + shipping + duties/taxes + fees. This is your real cost basis.
- Ask whether a quote is DDP (Delivered Duty Paid, meaning duties are handled for you) or whether you manage import and customs yourself.
- Calculate landed cost before setting retail prices, or your margins will be smaller than they look on the invoice.
De-risk your first order
Don't bet big on day one. Request samples to verify quality, start with a focused range of proven sellers in moderate quantities, and confirm specs, materials and timelines in writing before you scale. Clear communication on exact specifications avoids the most expensive surprises. The Bange Orbix 2913 Laptop Backpack is a reliable first-order style with consistent specs across production runs.
Plan around cash flow
Because you pay before you sell, map your order against expected sell-through. Tiered reorders, starting small to test and going larger on winners, keep cash moving and stock fresh. (For choosing what to stock, see our guide to building a bag assortment.)
Frequently asked questions
What is a typical MOQ for backpacks?
It varies widely by supplier and whether you want custom branding, so always ask up front and per SKU.
What does DDP mean?
Delivered Duty Paid: the supplier handles duties and delivery, so fewer surprises at customs. Confirm what's included in any quote.
How do I calculate landed cost?
Add unit price, shipping, duties/taxes and any fees, then divide by units. Price your retail from that number.
The bottom line
Understand MOQ, lead times, shipping terms and landed cost, and wholesale becomes predictable rather than risky. Explore the Bange range and reach out to discuss MOQs, lead times and terms for your order.
See the BANGE wholesale program for current MOQs, lead times and Incoterms (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP).
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