MPQ (Minimum Pack Quantity) in Garment Industry: Meaning, Examples, and Buyer Rules
You might see MPQ on a quote and think, “Cool, another confusing acronym.” Fair. But MPQ is actually simple once you treat it like what it is: a math rule for ordering. MPQ (Minimum Pack Quantity) is the smallest ordering multiple allowed for a product. It often means you must order in steps like 10, 12, 24, 50, depending on how the item is bundled, counted, or packed. You usually cannot order random numbers if MPQ applies. One warning before we go further: some suppliers use MPQ to mean “minimum purchase quantity.” Same letters, different meaning. If you don’t confirm it, you can end up arguing about a number that was never defined.
MPQ in Plain Language:
MPQ (Minimum Pack Quantity) is the smallest ordering multiple allowed for a product. It means you must order in fixed steps like 10, 12, 24, or 50, depending on how the item is bundled or counted. MPQ is a “math rule” for your quantity, not a random limit. If MPQ is 10, quantities like 500 or 510 work, but 507 does not. Once you know the MPQ, you can plan your order without last-minute changes.
Think of MPQ like this:
- If MPQ = 10, your order must be 10, 20, 30, 40…
- You can order 510, but not 507
MPQ is common with wholesalers and warehouses, but factories can also use it when they pack items into inner bundles (like size bundles or inner polybags).
Example:
- 10 pcs per inner bag
- 12 pairs per bundle
- 24 units per inner box
What MPQ is NOT:
MPQ is often confused with MOQ, but they are different. MOQ is the minimum total amount a supplier will accept, while MPQ is the step size your order must follow. MPQ also does not always mean you must buy more unless your quantity falls between valid multiples. In some industries, MPQ can also be used to mean “minimum purchase quantity,” which creates confusion. That’s why you should confirm the supplier’s definition on the quote.
MPQ is not MOQ:
- MOQ = the minimum total quantity the supplier will accept to produce/sell.
- MPQ = the “step size” your quantity must follow.
A supplier might set both. Example:
- MOQ = 500 pcs (minimum order)
- MPQ = 10 pcs (must order in tens)
So your valid quantities are 500, 510, 520… not 503.
MPQ is not SPQ:
- SPQ = units per carton (packing per carton).
- MPQ = ordering multiple (packing per inner bundle or counting unit).
SPQ affects how many cartons you get. MPQ affects whether your number is even allowed.
Why MPQ Exists (and why suppliers like it)
MPQ exists to match how products are packed and handled. Many suppliers use inner bundles, such as 10 pieces per inner bag, and MPQ follows that structure. This makes packing faster, counting easier, and shipping more consistent. It also reduces mistakes like miscounts and mixed SKUs. In short, MPQ helps suppliers run smoother operations and it helps buyers avoid packing chaos when clarified early. MPQ is not just “supplier being difficult.” It usually comes from how goods are handled:
It matches inner-pack bundles:
Inner packs are the most common reason MPQ shows up. When items are bundled into fixed sets for speed and control, ordering odd numbers can require extra labor and increase errors. Suppliers prefer not to break inner packs because it slows the line and creates repacking work. Buyers often miss this because the quote shows only “MPQ: 10” without explaining the bundle. If you ask about the inner pack format, MPQ becomes much easier to understand. If socks are bundled 10 pairs per inner bag, MPQ often becomes 10. This keeps packing consistent and reduces re-bagging.
It simplifies picking and counting:
Warehouses rely on repeatable patterns to stay fast and accurate. MPQ supports that by keeping quantities in clean multiples that are easy to pick and count. When cartons and inner packs match the order quantity, staff can process shipments with fewer steps. This reduces the chance of short shipments, wrong counts, or missing items. For buyers, it also makes inventory planning more predictable. So MPQ is not just a supplier rule it’s a warehouse efficiency tool.
Warehouses love clean multiples. It speeds up:
- picking
- scanning
- inventory checks
It reduces packing errors and labor time:
Odd quantities create extra decisions, and extra decisions lead to mistakes. MPQ helps workers repeat the same packing process every time, which improves accuracy. It reduces rework like opening bags, rebundling, and relabeling. Many suppliers charge fees when MPQ is broken because it adds manual labor. From a buyer’s perspective, understanding MPQ early protects your timeline and your final cost. The goal is fewer surprises and cleaner shipments.
Odd quantities increase mistakes. Mistakes create returns, claims, and wasted labor. That said: sometimes MPQ is also used as a quiet way to push buyers into larger, easier orders. Not always, but it happens.
A Realistic Example (socks)
Examples make MPQ feel practical instead of confusing. If MPQ is 10 pairs of socks, you can order 500, 510, or 520 pairs, because those follow the multiple. But 507 is invalid, even if the difference seems small. This is where buyers get caught if they build a size or color breakdown that doesn’t match MPQ. Using examples during planning prevents rejected POs and last-minute changes. It turns MPQ into simple math you can control.
Let’s say:
- Product: socks
- MPQ = 10 pairs
Valid orders:
- 500, 510, 520, 530…
Invalid orders:
- 507, 513, 528 (anything not divisible by 10)
Now the tricky part: what does “10” apply to?
It could mean:
- 10 per color
- 10 per size
- 10 per SKU
- 10 total across all variants
These are not the same thing. If you assume wrong, your size breakdown can get wrecked.
The Biggest MPQ trap: “Per what?”
The biggest MPQ problem is not the number it’s what the number applies to. MPQ might apply per size, per color, per SKU, or to the total order, and each option changes your breakdown. If MPQ is per SKU, every SKU must follow the multiple, which can force you to adjust ratios. Many disputes happen because buyers assume “total,” while suppliers mean “per SKU.” One question solves it: “Is MPQ per size, per color, per SKU, or total?”
This is where buyers get burned. If MPQ is per SKU, then each SKU must follow the multiple.
Example:
- MPQ = 10
- You order 100 total pairs across 5 SKUs
That sounds fine… until you learn each SKU must be in tens. Now you may need to change the breakdown.
So your best buyer question is exactly this:
- “MPQ is per size, per color, per SKU, or total?”
If the supplier can’t answer clearly, that’s a red flag. It means their system is running on vibes, not rules.
How MPQ Appears on Quotes:
MPQ may be shown as:
- MPQ: 10
- Min pack: 10
- Order multiple: 10
- Inner pack: 10 (sometimes this is basically MPQ)
If you see MPQ but no context, assume nothing. Ask what it applies to and whether it’s strict.
Practical tips to use MPQ without headaches
- Build your size and color plan using MPQ from day one.
- Round smart: if you must add units, add them to your best sellers.
- Get the rule in writing (email, PO notes, or quote terms).
- If MPQ blocks your plan, ask for alternatives:
- different inner pack
- mixed inner pack
- a repack service (often costs extra)
If a supplier refuses any flexibility and can’t explain why, it may not be “industry standard.” It may just be their convenience. You can price-compare with another supplier.
Conclusion / Final Words
MPQ (Minimum Pack Quantity) is the smallest ordering multiple allowed. It means your order must follow a valid step size like 10, 12, 24, 50, often based on inner bundles and warehouse handling. The most important thing is not the number. It’s the scope: MPQ per size, per color, per SKU, or total? Confirm that one detail, and MPQ becomes easy. Ignore it, and your order plan turns into a math problem with hidden rules. If you want, paste your MOQ + SPQ sections too and I’ll help you write a single “MOQ vs MPQ vs SPQ” comparison that buyers can understand in 30 seconds.
