Sourcing questions, answered without the sales gloss
The things buyers actually ask in the first two emails — MOQ, samples, lead times, money, paperwork and who owns the design.
Orders and minimums
The commercial terms are the same on every style, so they are worth stating once, plainly.
| Minimum order | 50 pairs per style and colourway |
|---|---|
| Sample fee | USD 100 for a synthetic leather (PU) upper; other materials quoted per style |
| Sample lead time | About 15 days for a PU upper |
| Bulk lead time | 30 days from sample approval and deposit |
| Payment | Under USD 3,000 paid in full; above that 30% to start production, 70% before shipment. Samples paid up front. |
| Shipping | EXW Chengdu or FOB Shanghai; DDP quoted on request |
| Response time | Within 24 hours, Monday to Saturday |
Sampling and development
A sample is a physical shoe built from your specification, and it is the only thing that settles fit, colour and finishing. We do not put a style into bulk off a drawing. The approved sample becomes the quality-control reference for the run, which is why comment on strap position, heel stability or lining thickness at that stage rather than after the carton arrives.
Paperwork and compliance
We do not hold certifications or standing test reports, and we will not claim them. Testing against the standard your market requires is arranged through a third-party lab at your request, quoted with your order. Labelling is built into the sample for the market you name. Buyer-arranged audits and factory visits are welcome.
Working with us
One contact from brief to shipment. Development questions go to the development team. If we cannot make something, or cannot document something, we say so at the brief stage — a lost enquiry is cheaper for both of us than a failed order.
Questions buyers ask about this
What is your MOQ?
50 pairs per style and colourway. Two colourways of the same style are two runs and are priced and scheduled separately.
How much does a sample cost?
USD 100 for a synthetic leather (PU) upper, with the sample ready in about 15 days. Leather, suede and more complex constructions are quoted per style, and we confirm fee and lead time before any work starts.
What is the bulk lead time?
30 days from sample approval and deposit, confirmed in your quotation against the exact construction and quantity.
What are your payment terms?
Orders under USD 3,000 are paid in full when placed. Above that, 30% starts production and 70% is due before shipment. Samples are paid up front.
Do you ship to the US and EU?
Yes. We ship EXW Chengdu or FOB Shanghai by default and prepare export documentation for your destination. Duties and clearance sit with you or your broker; DDP can be quoted on request.
Do you have certifications?
No. We do not hold BSCI, Sedex or ISO 9001 certification, and we do not hold standing test reports. We accept buyer-arranged audits and arrange third-party testing per order.
How do you protect our designs?
We sign an NDA on request before development starts, we do not reproduce your styles, tooling, prints or packaging for another client, and tooling created for your style is quoted separately and belongs to you.
Can we visit or audit?
Yes. Buyer visits and third-party audits are welcome — tell us the date and the auditor and we will arrange access to the office and the lines.
Do you work with leather and suede?
Yes, alongside PU, knit and textile. Leather and suede add mill lead time and material minimums, which matter most on a 50-pair run.
What sizes can you produce?
We grade to US, UK and EU size systems, or to your own size chart. The last width is the part that decides fit in a given market, so tell us which market the style is primarily for.
Send the shoe you have in mind
A photo, a sketch or a tech pack is enough. You get construction options, indicative pricing and the MOQ back within 24 hours. Sampling a synthetic leather (PU) upper is USD 100 and takes around 15 days — and nothing goes into bulk until you have approved the shoe.