Lead Time: 25 Days vs 45 Days
Realistic timeline
| Scenario | Production | Total from PO |
|---|---|---|
| Stock mould, natural colour | 20–25 days | 25–30 days |
| Stock mould, custom colour | 25–30 days | 30–35 days |
| New mould + plain | 25–35 days mould + 20–25 days production | 50–65 days |
| Stock mould + IML | 30–35 days | 35–42 days |
| New mould + IML | 55–70 days | 60–80 days |
Add 3–7 days for booking, and 2–4 weeks of ocean transit depending on destination.
The five things that delay production
- Artwork approval circling for a week (most common)
- Deposit arriving after the PO
- Colour masterbatch not in stock
- Chinese New Year or National Day holiday cluster
- Carton printing ordered late — cartons are usually the last item and the first to delay
How to protect your date
- Approve artwork before issuing the PO
- Put a shipping window with a penalty clause in the contract for repeat orders
- Book space 2 weeks before the planned ship date, not after production ends
- Ask for a weekly production photo — cheap, and it surfaces problems early
FAQ
Is 15 days realistic? Only for stock items in stock colour, and only if there is machine capacity that week.
Does a larger order take longer? Yes, roughly linearly beyond 200,000 pcs.
Next step
Tell us the SKU and target ship date. We will tell you honestly whether it fits, and what would have to change if it does not.
Related reading
- Sample Order: What to Ask Before You Commit
- How to Import PP Containers from China: 8 Steps
- 2oz PP Sauce Cup: PF-SC20 Specifications
Models covered on this site: 2500 ml PF-RW2500 · 750 ml PF-RG750 · 750 ml PF-GG750 · see all models in this category.
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