MOQ, lead times and Incoterms: what to expect when importing agricultural netting
Most netting import problems are not product problems. They are expectation problems: an MOQ discovered too late, a timeline that ignored freight, or an Incoterm chosen without understanding who pays what. This guide covers the three lines of a quote that first-time importers most often misread.
In short
Expect minimum order quantities that vary by product and specification (catalogue shade netting, for example, starts from 1,000 square metres). Expect a timeline of roughly five weeks of production after spec confirmation, plus ocean freight to the US, with seasonal peaks and Chinese New Year adding time. And expect the Incoterm to decide who arranges freight, who carries risk, and who acts as importer of record, which matters more than most buyers realise. A documented quote states all three in writing.
MOQ: why there is no single number
A minimum order quantity exists because production lines are set up per specification: mesh, weight, width, colour, treatment. Changing the setup for a tiny run is uneconomical, so the MOQ is attached to the spec, not to the product family. Practical consequences:
- Ask for the MOQ against your exact spec, not in general. “What is your MOQ for shade netting” has no honest single answer; “what is the MOQ for 50% shade, 90 gsm, 4 m wide, dark green” does.
- Standard formats carry lower effective MOQs. If your need is close to a standard roll, say so; a standard format can often ship in smaller volume than a custom one.
- Below-MOQ requests deserve a straight answer. A serious supplier says “below MOQ” and proposes the nearest workable format instead of quoting something that will not be honoured.
Lead times: the calendar nobody shows you
A realistic timeline for a netting order to the US has three blocks:
- Specification and quoting. Days to a couple of weeks, depending on how complete your requirement is. A well-prepared RFQ (crop, dimensions, destination, timing) cuts this dramatically; the RFQ spec builder exists for exactly this.
- Production. Around five weeks after the spec is confirmed, for typical netting orders. Confirmed per order, because mesh, treatment and quantity change the schedule.
- Freight and customs. Ocean freight from Asia to a US port, plus inland transport. Several additional weeks, variable by port and season.
Two calendar effects to plan around: seasonal demand, because everyone wants netting installed before the same growing season, and Chinese New Year, when factories close for weeks and the queue restarts. If your netting must be up before a hail season or a planting window, plan backwards from that date and say it in the RFQ; timing changes which options make sense.
Incoterms: three letters that decide who carries the risk
Incoterms (International Commercial Terms, published by the International Chamber of Commerce) define where the seller’s responsibility ends and yours begins. The four you will actually see on netting quotes:
- EXW (Ex Works). You collect at the factory and handle everything: export clearance, freight, import, delivery. Lowest quoted price, highest hidden workload. Rarely sensible for a first-time importer.
- FOB (Free On Board). The seller delivers the goods onto the vessel at the origin port; you arrange and pay ocean freight and everything after. The classic middle ground if you have a freight forwarder you trust.
- CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight). The seller pays freight and minimum insurance to your destination port; risk still transfers at origin, and import clearance and duties remain yours. Read the insurance level before assuming you are covered.
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). The seller delivers customs-cleared to your door, duties paid. The most predictable for the buyer, and the one where the quote must state its duty assumptions explicitly, because import duties depend on classification and origin and can change between quote and booking.
The question hiding behind the Incoterm: who acts as importer of record, meaning who is legally responsible for the customs entry, the classification and the duties. If you do not want to be that person on your first import, say so; the quote should state the setup in writing. Ours do, and if you are not sure what to pick, “not sure” is an accepted answer on our quote form: we recommend a setup rather than defaulting you into one.
The one-line takeaway
Ask for the MOQ against your exact spec, plan the calendar backwards from your season, and pick the Incoterm by asking “who is importer of record”. Our process for all three is documented on How we source, and a quote request gets a personal reply within 2 business days.
Sources
- International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms 2020 rules.
- Manufacturing partners’ catalogue (MOQs, production lead times), on file and confirmed per quote.
Duty rates and trade measures change and depend on product classification and origin; we state duty assumptions in writing on each quote rather than publishing figures that would be stale by the time you read them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOQ for agricultural netting?
There is no single number: the minimum order quantity is attached to the exact specification (mesh, weight, width, colour, treatment), not to the product family. Catalogue shade netting, for example, starts from 1,000 square metres. Ask for the MOQ against your exact spec.
How long does a netting order take to arrive?
Plan three blocks: specification and quoting (days to a couple of weeks), production (around five weeks after the spec is confirmed), then ocean freight and customs (several more weeks). Seasonal peaks and Chinese New Year add time. Plan backwards from your season.
Which Incoterm should a first-time netting importer choose?
FOB is the classic middle ground if you have a freight forwarder; DDP is the most predictable because the goods arrive customs-cleared to your door. EXW puts the most work on you. If unsure, say "not sure" and let the supplier propose a setup.
Who is the importer of record?
Whoever is legally responsible for the customs entry, classification and duties. The Incoterm decides how much of that sits with you. If you do not want to be importer of record on a first order, say so and have the quote state the setup in writing.