What are MOQ, SPQ, and MPQ in Garment Industry?
Supplier quotes can look simple, but three tiny abbreviations often control your real cost: MOQ, SPQ, and MPQ. They decide how small you can order, how your goods must be packed, and what “multiples” you must follow when buying. If you ignore them, you can end up ordering extra units you did not plan for, paying higher freight, or delaying production because your quantities do not match the supplier’s rules. The trick is that these terms are related, but they are not the same. Let’s break them down in a buyer-friendly way, with examples you can use on real quotes.
What are MOQ, SPQ, and MPQ?
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
MOQ is the minimum quantity a supplier will accept for an order. Think of it like the supplier’s “starting line”: below that number, they may refuse the order or charge a higher price. Suppliers set MOQ because small runs can waste time, fabric, setup effort, and factory capacity. MOQ is common in garments because cutting, printing, embroidery, and sewing lines all have setup costs. One important catch: MOQ is not always just “300 pcs total.” It can be per style, per color, or per size range, so you must confirm what the MOQ applies to.
Why MOQ exists
- Covers setup time (pattern, marker, cutting, printing screens, embroidery file, line setup)
- Helps suppliers use materials efficiently (fabric and trims are often bought in minimums too)
- Protects the factory schedule (small orders disrupt line planning)
MOQ example (T-shirts)
- MOQ = 300 pcs per style. If you want only 120 pcs, the supplier may say no, or offer a higher price like a “small order surcharge.”
Buyer tip
- Ask: “MOQ is per style or per color?” A quote that says “MOQ 300” might secretly mean 300 per color, not 300 total.
SPQ (Standard Pack Quantity)
SPQ means Standard Pack Quantity, the number of units the supplier packs into one carton/box. It is a packing rule, not a production rule. Suppliers use SPQ to keep packaging consistent, speed up warehouse work, and reduce shipping damage. On a quote, “SPQ: 50” usually means 50 units per carton. The big buyer trap is this: SPQ does not always force you to order more, but it can affect how many cartons you receive, whether partial cartons are allowed, and whether extra fees apply.
Why SPQ matters
- Affects freight volume (cartons, CBM, pallet count)
- Affects warehouse space and stock planning
- Affects how clean your shipment is (full cartons vs mixed or partial cartons)
SPQ examples
If SPQ = 50 pcs/carton:
- Order 150 pcs → likely 3 cartons
- Order 170 pcs → could be 3 cartons + a partial carton (20 pcs) or 4 full cartons (200 pcs) if “full carton only” is required
Buyer tip
- Always ask: “Is SPQ mandatory (full cartons only), or is partial carton okay?” This one question prevents surprise “rounding up” charges.
=> Related Article: What SPQ Really Means in Garment Industry (and What It Doesn’t)?
MPQ (Minimum Pack Quantity)
MPQ is the smallest ordering multiple allowed for that product. It often means you must order in steps like 10, 12, 24, or 50, depending on how the item is bundled, counted, or processed. MPQ is common for wholesalers and warehouses, but factories may also use it for sizing bundles or inner packs. Be careful: in some industries MPQ can also be used to mean “minimum purchase quantity,” so the safest move is to confirm what the supplier means on the quote. In practice, MPQ behaves like a “math rule” on your order quantity: you cannot order any random number, you must order in valid multiples.
Why MPQ exists:
- Matches inner-pack bundles (example: 10 pcs per inner bag)
- Simplifies picking and counting
- Reduces packing errors and labor time
MPQ example (socks):
- MPQ = 10 pairs. You can order 500, 510, 520… but not 507.
Buyer tip:
- Ask: “MPQ is per size, per color, or total?” Sometimes MPQ applies per SKU, which can change your size breakdown.
Comparing MOQ, SPQ, and MPQ
| Term | Full Form | What it controls | Typical effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOQ | Minimum Order Quantity | Minimum you must buy | Supplier may reject small orders or raise price |
| SPQ | Standard Pack Quantity | Units per carton/box | Impacts cartons, freight, and partial-carton rules |
| MPQ | Minimum Pack Quantity | Order multiples | Forces you to order in steps (10s, 12s, 50s) |
One Realistic Garment Example (how they work together)
Picture a buyer looking at a polo shirt quote and thinking, “Cool, I’ll just order 320 pcs and I’m done.” Then the hidden rules show up like little speed bumps: MOQ says the factory only starts at a certain number, MPQ forces your sizes to land in neat multiples, and SPQ decides how many pieces fit in each carton. Suddenly, “320 pcs” is not a clean number anymore. You might be pushed to 300 or 350, or end up paying for a partial-carton packing fee. This realistic example shows how these three terms work together, so you can plan quantity, size breakdown, and shipping cartons without surprises.
You want to order polo shirts:
- MOQ: 300 pcs (per style)
- MPQ: 10 pcs (per size)
- SPQ: 50 pcs/carton
What this means:
- You cannot place an order under 300 pcs total.
- Your size breakdown must be in multiples of 10 (S, M, L, XL each follow the rule if applied per size).
- Your shipment will likely be packed 50 per carton, and you must confirm if partial cartons are allowed.
So your “clean” order quantities might be:
- 300, 350, 400 (nice carton multiples)
Risky quantities (unless partial cartons allowed):
- 320, 370 (may cause extra carton, extra fee, or forced rounding)
How To Read These Terms on a Quote:
A supplier quote can feel like a simple price list, but the real rules are often hiding in the small print. MOQ, MPQ, and SPQ usually sit in one short line, yet they decide whether your order gets accepted, how your sizes must be split, and how many cartons you will end up shipping. If you skip them, you can accidentally order the wrong quantity, trigger extra packing fees, or miscalculate freight and warehouse space. This fast checklist is a quick “quote decoder” you can use before you confirm anything, so you spot problems early and ask the right questions.
Before you confirm an order, ask these questions:
- MOQ is per style or per color?
- MPQ is per SKU (size/color) or total?
- SPQ is full-carton required or partial cartons allowed?
- If partial cartons are allowed, is there a fee?
- Does SPQ change by size (bigger sizes sometimes pack fewer)?
- Do cartons ship as solid color or can they be mixed?
Case Studies Demonstrating Interplay
Real examples reveal the common pitfalls: when you ignore one rule you pay for another – partial-carton fees, unwanted extra units, or forced rework of size breakdowns. These mini-cases show numbers you can use to avoid surprises.
- T-shirt startup: Supplier quotes MOQ 300 pcs/style, MPQ 10, SPQ 50. You order 320; sizes in tens are OK, but cartons = 7 (6×50=300 + 20 partial) → supplier charges a $40 partial-carton fee or you must increase to 350, adding 30 pcs (~9.4% extra).
- Socks wholesaler: Quote shows MOQ 600 pairs/color, MPQ 12, SPQ 120. You request 720 pairs → fits exactly (6 cartons), no fees. If you ordered 650, you’d face one partial carton and repacking costs (~$35-$50).
- Polo shirt buyer: Factory sets MOQ 150 per color, MPQ 6, SPQ 25. Your 320 order must obey MPQ → adjust to 324; SPQ then forces cartons to 13 (13×25=325) so you pay for 325 units, not 320, increasing FOB by the unit price ×5.
- Fast-fashion importer: Vendor requires MOQ 1,000, MPQ 50, SPQ 100. A planned 880 cannot be accepted; you must increase to 1,000 or split styles, meaning a 13.6% increase in quantity or additional design SKUs and logistics complexity.
From these cases you learn to run a quick quantity proof: test your target against MOQ, then force size totals into the MPQ grid, and finally convert to cartons with SPQ. That workflow helps you pre-calculate extra units, estimate partial-carton fees, and present rational negotiation points to the supplier backed by numbers.
Conclusion / Final Words
MOQ, SPQ, and MPQ are not “small details.” They are the hidden rules that shape your final cost, packing plan, and delivery efficiency. MOQ tells you the minimum order the supplier will accept, MPQ tells you the valid multiples you must follow, and SPQ tells you how the goods are packed into cartons. When you align your order quantity with all three, you avoid surprise rounding, reduce freight waste, and make production smoother. The best buyers do not just ask for price, they ask for rules. And these three rules are the ones that quietly decide whether your order feels easy or painful.
FAQs About What are MOQ, SPQ, and MPQ
In Short, What is MOQ in the garment industry?
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) is the smallest number of units a supplier will accept for a single order. Suppliers set MOQ to cover fabric cut-planning, machine setup, and line efficiency. MOQ can apply per style, per color, or per size group – for example a factory may require MOQ 300 pcs per color, so three colors would mean 900 pcs total. If you quote a smaller run, the supplier may refuse, charge a premium, or propose a different price-break.
In Short, What does SPQ mean and why does it matter?
SPQ (Standard Pack Quantity) is the number of units the supplier packs into one carton or inner pack. It’s a packing rule used to standardize cartons and speed warehouse operations. For example, SPQ = 50 means 50 pcs per carton; an order of 320 pcs would fill 6 full cartons (300 pcs) plus a partial carton (20 pcs). Partial cartons may be allowed, but they can trigger extra packing fees or handling rules and affect freight dim-weight calculations.
In Short, What is MPQ and how is it different from MOQ?
MPQ (Minimum Pack Quantity) sets the ordering multiple you must follow – sizes or bundles must be ordered in increments like 6, 10, 12, 24, or 50. Unlike MOQ (a floor), MPQ is a step rule: your order quantity must be MOQ or higher and also a valid multiple (for example MPQ = 10 means you can order 300, 310, 320 but not 305). Some suppliers use MPQ to mean “minimum purchase quantity,” so always confirm the exact meaning on the quote.
How do MOQ, SPQ and MPQ relate and how do they differ?
MOQ defines the minimum allowable total; MPQ defines the allowed increments or size/bundle multiples; SPQ defines how those units are packed into cartons. They interact because a valid order must meet the MOQ, follow MPQ multiples across sizes or packs, and result in cartons following SPQ rules. Example contrast: MOQ = 300 pcs (production limit), MPQ = 10 pcs/size (size multiples), SPQ = 50 pcs/carton (packing). A compliant order might be 300 or 310 if MPQ allows, but cartons will be calculated in 50s, potentially creating partial cartons.
How should I read MOQ, MPQ and SPQ on a supplier quote?
Check the single-line notes for exact scope: confirm whether MOQ is per style, per color, or per size; confirm MPQ units and whether it applies per size or inner-pack; confirm SPQ as units per carton and whether partial cartons are allowed or billable. Ask explicitly: “Is MOQ per color/size? Is MPQ applied per size or per bundle? Are partial cartons permitted and are there packing fees?” Use those answers to recalculate net units, cartons, and freight before confirming.
Can you give a realistic polo-shirt example showing how they work together?
Suppose a quote from Mekong Garment Vietnam shows MOQ 300 pcs per color, MPQ 10 pcs/size, and SPQ 50 pcs/carton. You want 320 pcs in one color across 4 sizes. MPQ 10 allows size splits in tens, so 320 can be split (for example 80/80/80/80). SPQ 50 means cartons = ceil(320/50) = 7 cartons → 350 pcs capacity; if supplier does not accept partial cartons without fees you may either reduce to 300 (6 cartons) or increase to 350 by adding 30 pcs following MPQ (e.g., add 10 pcs each to three sizes). Each choice affects unit cost, freight, and lead time.
What practical buyer actions prevent surprises from MOQ, MPQ and SPQ?
Confirm scope (per style/color/size), request the exact MPQ definition, and get SPQ and partial-carton policy in writing. Recalculate cartons and freight both for the requested quantity and for the nearest valid adjustments (down to MOQ or up to the next SPQ multiple). Negotiate options such as consolidated cartons, split-color MOQs, or temporary waivers for samples. Include packing and handling fees in your landed-cost calculation so you won’t be surprised at shipment time.
