When sourcing hair accessories for your brand or store, your first physical connection to the factory often starts with a sample kit. But for many importers—especially those running startups, boutique chains, or testing new styles—the critical question is: what’s the minimum quantity I have to commit to, even just for samples? Understanding MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) for sample kits is essential to lower your risk and get a feel for your factory’s development quality before jumping into mass production.
Most hair accessory factories in China, including us at HairAcc, offer flexible MOQ options for sample kits. Whether you need 1 set or 100, many manufacturers support small runs to help you evaluate quality, test market feedback, and make informed decisions.
Factories differ. Some impose high sample fees and bulk-only sampling, while others—like HairAcc—believe in letting product quality speak for itself through small, accessible sample kits. If you’re serious about sourcing the right accessories for your business, understanding these MOQ structures could save you thousands and position you for smarter orders down the line.
What’s the Typical MOQ for Hair Accessory Sample Kits?
For many buyers, the first step into a partnership is seeing and touching the product. But how many pieces do you really have to order?
Most factories allow sample kit MOQs starting from 1 to 3 sets, while others require a minimum of 5–10 units depending on the level of customization and product type.
This variance comes from the number of product categories in the kit, the materials used, and whether or not there are branding elements involved. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Sample Kit Type | Typical MOQ | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Pre-Stock Kit | 1–3 sets | Bestsellers in standard colors |
| Custom Material Kit | 3–5 sets | Fabrics, colors, trims by buyer |
| Branded Packaging Kit | 5–10 sets | Custom tags, logos, labels |
Are MOQs Different for Each Product Type?
Yes. A set of velvet scrunchies may have a different MOQ than a metallic claw clip kit. Some factories like Guangzhou Jacy offer separate MOQs for headbands and hairpins. At HairAcc, we advise customers to order one mixed kit of 10–15 pieces covering various materials—such as chiffon, cotton, and acrylic—to represent our full range affordably.
Can You Mix Styles in One Sample Kit?
Absolutely. Factories that are experienced with B2B exports, such as HairAcc, encourage mixed-style sample kits to showcase product variety. This also helps clients visualize how different collections can be coordinated into seasonal drops or retail packs.
How Do Customization and Branding Affect Sample MOQs?
Customization changes everything when it comes to MOQ.
Adding your own logo, packaging, or requesting a specific fabric or dye color will usually increase the sample MOQ to 5–10 units or more per SKU.
This is because special processes—like embroidery, printing, or color-matching—require setup and handling that go beyond just assembling existing inventory. The good news? Most factories will deduct sample costs from your bulk order invoice once production starts.
What Types of Customization Are Common?
Common requests from international buyers include:
- Custom hangtags or woven labels
- Pantone color matching for satin headbands or elastic scrunchies
- Branded gift packaging
Each of these adds complexity to sampling, so MOQ naturally adjusts. At HairAcc, our MOQ for a fully branded kit with logo tags and printed tissue wrap is 10 units per style.
Can You Get Just One Custom Sample?
In rare cases—yes. For instance, HairAcc offers single custom prototypes for priority buyers or premium clients. However, this is often priced higher (up to $80 per unit) to cover production time and material waste. If you’re preparing for a high-value retail launch, this option lets you test before scaling.
What’s Included in a Standard Hair Accessory Sample Kit?
A good sample kit isn’t just a bunch of products thrown into a box. It’s a professional preview of your potential supplier’s quality, style, and capacity.
At HairAcc, each standard sample kit includes 10–15 items across 4–5 major product categories, with optional material swatches, care labels, and packaging samples.
Here’s what’s often inside:
- Product samples: clips, bands, scarves, pins
- Spec sheet: size, material, finish, weight
- Packaging mockups: box, polybag, hangtag
- Optional swatches: fabric or coating references
Can You Include Accessories for a Specific Market?
Yes. If your target market is the US, EU, or Russia, you can request sample kits with styling based on current Google Trends or Pinterest fashion data. For example, Russian kits might include velvet headbands and classic pearl pins, while EU buyers may request minimalist matte claw clips.
Are These Kits Returnable or Refundable?
Usually not. Since most sample kits are custom-packed or limited, they are non-refundable. However, factories like HairAcc may offset your kit cost against your first confirmed PO, especially if your bulk order exceeds $1000.
How Long Does It Take to Receive a Sample Kit?
Even if the MOQ is low, shipping speed can make or break a sourcing decision.
For most hair accessory factories, sample kit lead time ranges from 3–7 days for pre-stock kits and 10–15 days for custom kits. Express shipping adds 4–7 business days.
Here’s a general timeline breakdown:
| Sample Type | Production Time | Shipping Method | Total Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-stock sample kit | 3–5 days | DHL/UPS/FedEx | 7–10 days |
| Custom branded kit | 10–15 days | Express courier | 14–20 days |
What Couriers Do Hair Factories Use?
Most factories use international couriers like DHL, UPS, and FedEx. Some may also offer economy options via ePacket or local logistics partners. HairAcc typically defaults to DHL for speed and tracking security.
Can You Speed Up the Lead Time?
If you're on a deadline—say, for a trade show or eComm launch—expedited sampling and rush shipping are available. For example, HairAcc offers 72-hour rush sampling for core SKUs and express packaging prints through partners like YUTO Packaging.
Conclusion
MOQ for sample kits can vary widely depending on your needs, customization level, and intended market. The good news? As long as you partner with the right hair accessory factory—like HairAcc—you’ll get flexible options that help you test before investing big. Whether you need just 1 pre-stock kit or 10 custom sets with branding, we’re ready to support you.
If you're looking to begin your sampling journey or explore wholesale production of your own hair accessory line, reach out to our Business Director Elaine at elaine@fumaoclothing.com. Let us help you build quality, trend-driven products—one accessory at a time.
