Reference
What each stage actually takes, how EXW, FOB and door-to-door compare, and how wooden and acrylic goods are packed so they arrive in the condition they left in.
| Stage | Typical duration | What it depends on |
|---|---|---|
| Quote and DFM feedback | A few working days | How complete the drawing is |
| Sampling | About 7 days after drawing confirmation | Material availability; hand-finishing load |
| Production | Quoted per order | Quantity, finishing stage, and whether tooling or fixtures are new |
| Inspection and packing | Built into production schedule | Whether third-party inspection is used |
| Transit | Depends on mode and destination | Sea, rail or air; port congestion; customs |
We deliberately do not publish a single "production lead time" number, because a 200-piece laser-cut acrylic run and a fitted boutique counter are not the same job. What we do commit to is stating the lead time in writing with the quote, and flagging immediately if a requested date is not achievable.
| Term | What it means | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | You collect from our factory in Dongguan | You have your own forwarder in China and consolidated cargo |
| FOB Shenzhen | We deliver cleared for export to the Shenzhen port; you book the main leg | You want control of freight cost and transit time — the most common choice for wholesale orders |
| Door-to-door | We arrange the whole chain to your address | You do not have a forwarder, or the order is small enough that simplicity matters more than the last few percent of cost |
Air freight is available for samples and urgent small orders. It is rarely sensible for volume once weight and volume are calculated — a display prop is a low-density product, so volumetric weight usually dominates.
Standard export documentation is supplied with the shipment. Where your market requires material documentation — for example E0-grade board declarations — ask at quote stage so the paperwork is prepared alongside production rather than after it. If your customs broker needs specific invoice wording or HS codes confirmed in advance, tell us and we will align the commercial invoice.
Three levers usually matter more than rate shopping: packed volume, unit count per carton, and whether the piece can ship knock-down. A design that flat-packs can cut volumetric weight substantially on multi-unit orders, and consolidating several product lines into one shipment is cheaper than three part-loads. We raise these at DFM stage, because after production the only lever left is the freight rate.
Yes. We ship EXW, FOB Shenzhen or door-to-door, and work with the forwarder you nominate or arrange transport if you prefer not to.
It is quoted per order, because quantity and finishing stage drive it far more than product type. The lead time is stated in writing with the quotation.
Yes — and it is usually cheaper than separate shipments. Tell us the full basket at quote stage so packing and carton plans cover everything.
Under FOB and door-to-door, export clearance on our side is handled as part of the arrangement; import clearance is normally the buyer's responsibility or included if you choose door-to-door. We confirm the split in writing before shipping.
Sketches, CAD files or reference photos are all fine to start. MOQ 1 pc · 7-day sampling.
Contact PULADU