What is the typical MOQ for steel and construction material orders from China?

Minimum order quantities (MOQs) depend on the product category and how the supplier batches production. - **Rebar, wire rod, structural sections:** Mills usually accept orders from 20-25 metric tons (one truckload at the mill), with the most efficient pricing at full 20ft (~25 MT) or 40ft (~27 MT) container loads. - **Roofing sheets (IBR, corrugated, polycarbonate):** Typical MOQs sit between 1,000-2,000 sheets, often combined with accessories (ridges, flashings, screws) to fill a container. - **Aluminium profiles and sheets:** MOQs are commonly 3-5 MT per profile or 1 MT per sheet thickness. - **Hardware, fasteners, hand tools:** Per-SKU MOQs can be as low as 50-100 cartons. Multiple SKUs are routinely combined into one consolidated container. - **Construction equipment (excavators, loaders):** Sold by the unit; no MOQ. For smaller buyers, the practical question is not the per-SKU MOQ but the **container minimum**. A 20ft container is the smallest economic shipping unit for ocean freight - smaller volumes go LCL, which costs significantly more per kg. At Allied Minmetal we routinely consolidate multiple product categories from different mills into a single container to help buyers hit container minimums without overstocking. See our [product directory](/products) for what can be combined.