Global wholesaleChina Wholesale Terms Glossary: MOQ, RFQ, Incoterms and More
Use plain-English definitions for China wholesale terms including ready stock, SKU, MOQ, case pack, RFQ, Incoterms, landed cost, OEM and ODM.
Reviewed and updated 2026-08-18What buyers should remember
- SKU, MOQ, buying increment and case pack answer different questions.
- Recorded stock is not reserved stock until allocation is confirmed.
- An RFQ requests terms; it is not an accepted order or payment instruction.
- Incoterms define delivery responsibilities but do not equal landed cost.
Compare real China-stock product facts.
Stock is not reserved until commercial confirmation.
SKU 19000Insulated Air Activated Hand Warmers 1 Pair$0.26
SKU 33047Lucky Stash Glass Jar Air Tight 2.4oz Printed$0.41
SKU 20009FaceOne Tweezers 3PK$0.39| SKU | Product | Unit price | Minimum order quantity | Available now | Pieces per carton | Carton volume | Stock update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19000 | Insulated Air Activated Hand Warmers 1 Pair | $0.26 | 240 | 0 | 240 | 0.048 m³ | |
| 33047 | Lucky Stash Glass Jar Air Tight 2.4oz Printed | $0.41 | 72 | 37,296 | 72 | 0.036 m³ | |
| 20009 | FaceOne Tweezers 3PK | $0.39 | 96 | 4,608 | 96 | 0.011 m³ |
China wholesale terms and buyer checks
| Term | Plain-English meaning | What the buyer should confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Ready stock | Inventory recorded as physically available in a warehouse rather than waiting for a new production run. | Reconfirm the exact SKU, sellable quantity and allocation date in the quote. |
| Available quantity | The currently recorded sellable quantity after known reservations or frozen stock are excluded. | Treat the value as a stock record, not a reservation or delivery promise. |
| SKU | A stock-keeping unit that identifies one specific product or variant in the catalog and order workflow. | Keep the same SKU from selection through quotation, packing and shipment review. |
| MOQ | The minimum order quantity accepted for one product line under the published or quoted conditions. | Check the MOQ for every SKU instead of applying one platform-wide minimum. |
| Buying increment | The permitted quantity step above the MOQ, such as ordering 48 additional pieces at a time. | Normalize each requested quantity to the MOQ plus whole buying increments. |
| Case pack | The number of selling units packed in one outer carton for handling and shipment planning. | Compare the case pack with the MOQ and buying increment; the three values may differ. |
| Carton volume (CBM) | The cubic-meter volume of an outer carton, calculated from its recorded length, width and height. | Use carton count and CBM with gross weight when requesting a freight comparison. |
| Allocation | The commercial step that assigns a confirmed quantity of available stock to a buyer or order. | Ask when allocation becomes binding and how long the confirmed quantity is held. |
| RFQ | A request for quotation that sends exact products, quantities, destination and shipping requirements for commercial review. | Use the RFQ to confirm stock, price, freight scope, validity and unresolved conditions. |
| Quote validity | The stated period during which a quotation's prices and conditions remain open for acceptance. | Revalidate price, stock and freight when the validity period expires. |
| Incoterm | A named trade rule used in a quotation to define delivery responsibilities, costs and risk transfer between seller and buyer. | Read the named place and full freight scope; an Incoterm does not by itself state landed cost. |
| Landed cost | The total cost of moving a defined order to a defined destination under a stated commercial and logistics scope. | Separate product value, freight, duty, tax, handling and final-delivery assumptions. |
| Private label | A sourcing route in which an existing or adapted product is offered under the buyer's approved brand and packaging conditions. | Confirm product eligibility, trademark use, artwork, packaging, MOQ, samples and lead time. |
| OEM | Production against a buyer-defined product specification, subject to confirmed capability, tooling, MOQ and quality controls. | Use an approved specification and sample rather than relying on the OEM label alone. |
| ODM | A sourcing route based on a supplier-developed design that may be adapted under agreed product and branding conditions. | Confirm what may change, who controls the design and which minimums or setup costs apply. |
Use the terms as one connected buying sequence
Start with one exact SKU and its recorded available quantity. Build a valid line quantity from the MOQ and buying increment, then compare the result with the case pack to estimate whole or partial cartons.
Send those product and quantity facts through an RFQ with the destination and shipping preference. The resulting quote should confirm allocation, price, freight scope, Incoterm, validity and any conditions that still need evidence.
- Product identity: SKU and approved variant.
- Quantity rules: available stock, MOQ, increment and case pack.
- Commercial confirmation: RFQ, allocation and quote validity.
- Logistics scope: cartons, CBM, Incoterm and landed-cost inputs.
Keep catalog facts separate from quote-confirmed terms
A catalog can publish product identity, price, MOQ, pack and stock records, but those fields can change and do not reserve inventory. A quote reconfirms the actual order quantity, allocation timing, price basis, freight scope and validity for a defined destination.
Do not turn an unknown destination requirement, duty rate, compliance document or delivery promise into an estimate that looks confirmed. Keep unknowns visible until the responsible party supplies evidence.
Translate private label, OEM and ODM into actual work
Private label, OEM and ODM are often used inconsistently. Instead of relying on the label, document the requested product changes, approved specification, branding, packaging, tooling, samples, quality controls, compliance evidence and ownership or usage conditions.
A ready-stock product can be a useful reference, but it does not automatically permit rebranding or prove custom-production capability. The responsible supplier must confirm eligibility and commercial terms for the project.
Buyer questions, answered directly
What is the difference between MOQ and case pack?
MOQ is the smallest accepted line quantity. Case pack is the number of selling units in one outer carton. They may match, but buyers should treat them as separate fields.
Does available quantity mean the stock is reserved?
No. Available quantity is a current stock record. Reservation or allocation happens only under the confirmed commercial workflow for the actual order.
Is an RFQ the same as placing an order?
No. An RFQ requests a reviewable quotation. The buyer places or accepts an order only after the applicable stock, price, freight, validity and open conditions are confirmed.
Does an Incoterm show the final landed cost?
No. An Incoterm helps define delivery responsibilities, costs and risk transfer at a named place. Landed cost can also include product value, duties, taxes, brokerage, handling and other destination charges.
Are private label, OEM and ODM interchangeable?
No. They can describe different product-development and branding routes, and suppliers may use the labels differently. Define the actual specification, changes, rights, evidence, MOQ and lead time instead of relying on the label alone.