For most Morbi tile factories, the minimum order is one 20 ft container. Within that container, many plants accept several designs or sizes, usually with a minimum per design of about a pallet or a few hundred square metres.
Exact numbers vary by factory, by product and by whether the design is in stock or made to order. Treat the figures here as the common pattern and confirm the terms with each plant in writing.
Why the container is the unit
Tiles are heavy, so they fill a container by weight, not by volume. A 20 ft container reaches its payload limit, often around 26 to 28 tonnes depending on the shipping line and route, well before it is full. A loaded tile container never looks full to the roof.
That is why factories and buyers think in containers rather than square metres. The number of square metres per container depends on the tile's size, thickness and body. A thin wall tile packs many more square metres into the weight limit than a thick porcelain floor tile.
Ask each factory for the square metres, boxes and pallets per 20 ft container for each size you are considering. This also lets you compare quotes on the same basis.
Minimums per design
Inside the container minimum, each plant sets its own rules per design. These are the factors that move it:
- Ready stock designs can often be taken in smaller quantities, because the factory has already made them.
- Made-to-order designs need a production run, so the minimum per design is usually higher.
- Custom designs or special sizes need setup work on the line, and some plants set a larger minimum for them.
- Packing in your own branded boxes can add a minimum for the printed cartons.
If you want to spread one container across many designs, read mixing sizes and designs in one tile container first. There are practical limits on loading and shade.
Small first orders
A full container is a large first commitment for a new importer. There are a few ways to start smaller without taking on more risk:
- Choose designs from ready stock, which often load in one to three weeks and carry lower per-design minimums.
- Keep the first order to a few designs, so each one meets the plant's per-design minimum comfortably.
- Ask whether the plant will load a mixed container of its own products, rather than buying through a trader.
Be careful with offers to combine small lots from several factories into one container. This is usually a trader's service. It can work, but you lose control of shade, batch and grade across plants.
What to agree in writing
Whatever the minimum, put the order terms in writing before you pay the advance. Each design should be one batch, one shade and one calibre. The grade should match the factory's written definition, and the loading plan should show boxes and pallets per design.
Payment terms matter too. A common pattern is an advance with the balance against a copy of the bill of lading. Avoid paying 100% in advance to a supplier you have not verified.
Next step
We help you shape a first order that meets the factory's minimum without overcommitting. We check samples, supervise production and inspect the loading. Read how it works, or book a free sourcing review.