When evaluating an OEM partner for mugwort-based products — repellents, medical patches, wellness items, or home care goods — the questions you ask during the inquiry phase determine whether your project succeeds or stalls. This FAQ covers the 15 questions every serious wholesale buyer should ask before committing.
1. What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
Why it matters: MOQ directly impacts your initial capital outlay and inventory risk.
Our answer:
- Standard products (catalog formulations): 1,000 units per SKU
- Custom formulations: 3,000 units per SKU
- Gift box sets: 500 sets
- Practitioner bulk packs: 5,000 units
- Sample orders: 50-100 units available for evaluation
Follow-up question: “Can MOQ be split across multiple formulations or sizes?” — Yes, with a 500-unit minimum per variant.
2. What customization levels do you offer?
Why it matters: The depth of customization determines how distinctive your final product will be.
Our customization tiers:
| Level | What’s Included | MOQ |
|---|---|---|
| Label OEM | Your brand label on our standard product | 1,000 units |
| Formula modification | Adjust existing formula ratios | 3,000 units |
| Custom formula | Develop entirely new formulation | 5,000 units |
| Full custom | Formula + format + packaging + branding | 5,000 units |
3. What certifications and registrations do you hold?
Why it matters: Certifications determine which markets you can enter and what claims you can make.
Our certifications:
- EPA Establishment Number 104817-CHN-1 (insect repellent products)
- NMPA Class II Medical Device Registration (far-infrared patch: 鄂械注准 20252095452)
- NMPA Class II Medical Device Registration (magnetic patch: 鄂械注准 20242095328)
- 15 utility patents covering processing and formulation
- GMP-compliant manufacturing (Class 100K cleanroom for medical products)
Follow-up question: “Can you provide documentation for my market’s registration?” — Yes, we provide full technical documentation packages.
4. What is your production lead time?
Why it matters: Lead time affects your inventory planning and seasonal product launches.
Standard lead times:
- Sample production: 7-15 days
- Standard formula bulk order: 15-20 days
- Custom formula bulk order: 25-35 days
- Packaging printing and finishing: 7-10 days (concurrent with production)
Total timeline from order to shipment: 25-45 days depending on complexity.
5. How do you ensure product quality and consistency?
Why it matters: Quality inconsistency destroys brand reputation.
Our quality system:
- Raw material testing — Every herb batch tested for identity, purity, and active content
- In-process QC — Weight, adhesion, and visual checks every 2 hours during production
- AQL sampling inspection — Level II, AQL 2.5 (major) / 4.0 (minor) on every batch
- Metal detection — 100% of finished product
- Microbial testing — Retained samples from every batch
- Stability testing — Ongoing shelf-life validation
6. Can you handle custom packaging design?
Why it matters: Packaging is your primary brand differentiator on retail shelves.
Our packaging capabilities:
- Retail boxes — Full-color printed, custom die-cuts, foil stamping, embossing
- Sachets/pouches — Custom printed, various materials (aluminum, kraft, biodegradable)
- Labels — Multi-language, regulatory compliant, any size/shape
- Insert materials — Instruction sheets, acupoint guides, brand story cards
- Gift boxes — Premium rigid boxes with magnetic closures
We accept AI, PSD, PDF, and CDR files. Our design team can also assist with layout and regulatory label compliance.
7. What payment terms do you accept?
Why it matters: Payment structure affects your cash flow.
Standard terms:
- Sample order: 100% upfront
- Bulk order: 50% deposit, 50% before shipment
- Payment methods: T/T (wire transfer), PayPal (for samples), L/C (for orders over $50,000)
- Currency: USD, EUR, or CNY
8. Do you provide product samples before ordering?
Why it matters: You must evaluate product quality before committing to bulk.
Sample policy:
- Stock samples — Free (you pay shipping), 3-5 day delivery
- Custom formula samples — $100-300 depending on complexity, 7-15 days
- Custom packaging samples — $200-500, 10-15 days
- Sample costs are credited toward your bulk order
9. What shipping options and Incoterms do you support?
Why it matters: Shipping strategy balances cost, speed, and risk.
Shipping options:
- Sea freight — 25-35 days, most economical for bulk
- Air freight — 7-10 days, for time-sensitive orders
- Express courier — 3-5 days, for samples/small orders
Incoterms:
- FOB Shanghai/Ningbo (you arrange shipping)
- CIF destination port (we ship to your port)
- DDP door-to-door (select markets, all duties included)
10. How do you handle intellectual property (IP) protection?
Why it matters: Your formula and design are your competitive assets.
Our IP protection:
- NDA available — Sign before any formula or design discussion
- Formula ownership — Custom formulas are your exclusive property; we will not sell to others
- Design files — Your packaging designs are stored securely and used only for your orders
- Manufacturing confidentiality — No factory tours during your production runs without approval
11. Can you provide regulatory documentation for my market?
Why it matters: Without proper documentation, your products cannot clear customs or be registered.
Documentation we provide:
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) per batch
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) if required
- Certificate of Origin (for preferential tariffs)
- GMP compliance certificate
- Product specification sheets
- Test reports (biocompatibility, efficacy, microbial)
For FDA, CE, or ANVISA registration support, our team works with your regulatory consultant.
12. What is your production capacity?
Why it matters: Capacity determines whether they can scale with your growth.
Our capacity:
- Mugwort raw material — 1,500+ mu farm, 500+ tons annual harvest
- Patch production — 500,000 patches/month
- Mosquito coil production — 200,000 coils/month
- Spray production — 100,000 bottles/month
- Expansion capability — Can scale 2x within 60 days
13. How do you handle product recalls or quality issues?
Why it matters: Even the best manufacturers have issues; how they respond matters.
Our recall procedure:
- Batch traceability — Every product traceable to raw material lot and production date
- Quality issue reporting — 24-hour response, 72-hour root cause analysis
- Replacement policy — Defective products replaced at no cost
- Recall support — Full cooperation with market-specific recall procedures
- Insurance — Product liability insurance available for major accounts
14. What is your pricing structure?
Why it matters: Understanding pricing components helps you optimize your order.
Pricing factors:
- Formula complexity — More ingredients = higher cost
- Order quantity — Price per unit decreases with volume
- Packaging — Custom packaging adds cost but differentiates your brand
- Material quality — Medical-grade materials cost more than consumer-grade
- Certification requirements — Additional testing adds cost
Pricing transparency: We provide itemized quotes showing material, production, packaging, and testing costs separately.
15. What ongoing support do you provide after the first order?
Why it matters: A good OEM partner supports your long-term growth, not just one order.
Our ongoing support:
- Dedicated account manager — Single point of contact for all your needs
- Production scheduling priority — Repeat orders get priority scheduling
- Formula refinement — Continuous improvement based on market feedback
- Regulatory updates — Notification of regulation changes affecting your products
- Market intelligence — Share industry trends and competitor insights
- New product development — Collaborative R&D for product line expansion
Conclusion: Beyond the Questions
These 15 questions cover the fundamentals, but the best OEM partnerships go deeper. Look for a partner who:
- Answers promptly and transparently — No hedging on difficult questions
- Provides documentation willingly — Quality partners have nothing to hide
- Invests in your success — Offers suggestions to improve your product or reduce costs
- Communicates proactively — Alerts you to issues before they become problems
- Demonstrates capability — Can show you real production, not just brochures
Contact us to start the conversation — we welcome all 15 questions and any others you have.
