Small-Batch Aluminium Pergola Orders — Minimum 1 Set
Most first-time importers do not fail because they chose the wrong product. They fail because the only order the supplier would accept was a full container — so the first shipment became the whole test.
Our minimum order quantity is 1 set. A first order can be a single pergola, shipped LCL, used to check fit, finish, packaging and documentation before you commit to a programme.
Why MOQ is the real blocker for a first order
A minimum order quantity is not really about production. It is about who carries the risk of the first transaction.
| When MOQ is high | When MOQ is 1 set |
|---|---|
| You test the supplier and the product simultaneously, at container scale | You test the supplier and the product at unit scale, then scale what works |
| A quality problem is discovered after the whole container is paid for | A quality problem is discovered on one unit, with leverage left |
| Cash is tied up in stock before you know your own sell-through | Cash is committed only after the product has been validated |
| Freight is only economical by FCL | You can start LCL and move to FCL later |
A factory that can profitably make one set is usually a factory that controls its own profiling and assembly — because it is not waiting on a third-party minimum to start your order.
What a BROWN CARDON first order includes
| Item | Terms |
|---|---|
| Minimum order quantity | 1 set |
| Product range available from the first order | BC-173 (kit), BC-180 (patio), BC-220 (pool & terrace), BC-221 (commercial) |
| Standard sizes | 3×3 m, 4×3 m, 4×4 m, 4×6 m; custom sizes up to 6 × 6 m |
| Operation | Manual or motorized |
| Colours | White, grey, black, or custom colour on request |
| Lead time | 15–20 days after order confirmation |
| Packaging | Plywood export crates, suitable for sea freight |
| Shipping | LCL or FCL — arranged by us, or through your own forwarder |
| Documentation | Export documentation and customs compliance guidance included |
| Warranty | 5 years structural, 2 years motor |
| Customisation | Low MOQ, custom colour and size options available on request; we manufacture to your drawings or develop a new model with our design team |
Trial order vs programme order — what actually changes
| First / trial order | Programme order | |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | From 1 set | Volume you commit to |
| Shipping | LCL is practical | FCL becomes economical |
| What you are buying | Validation — fit, finish, packaging, communication | Repeatable supply |
| Colour / size | Standard, or one custom configuration | Full custom programme |
| Tooling | Existing platform tooling | New tooling developed in-house if your design needs it |
| Design | Standard platform, or to your drawings | OEM to your drawings, or ODM developed by our team |
The purpose of the first order is not to save money. It is to replace assumptions with evidence — and 1 set is enough to do that.
Placing a first order, step by step
- Send your target specification — size, operation (manual or motorized), colour, and the market you are selling into.
- Confirm manufacturability, tooling and price. If your requirement needs a new profile or a new model, we confirm tooling before pricing.
- Approve a section drawing. You get the beam and column sections with wall thickness in millimetres — the basis of the quote.
- Place the order. MOQ 1 set; lead time 15–20 days after confirmation.
- Ship LCL or FCL. We handle packing in plywood export crates and documentation, or work with your forwarder.
- Validate on arrival. Check finish, fit, hardware and packaging. This is the real deliverable of a first order.
Validate three things before you scale
| Check on the first unit | Why it decides whether you scale |
|---|---|
| Finish | Powder-coated surfaces and joints are what customers see. Defects here are visible and expensive to fix locally. |
| Fit and hardware | Predrilled modular panels should assemble with standard tools — 2 people, about 1 day for a 3×4 m unit. If assembly is awkward, your installer cost per unit changes permanently. |
| Packaging | Plywood export crates protect the finish in transit. If a trial unit arrives damaged, a container will too. |
Frequently asked questions
What is your minimum order quantity?
Our minimum order quantity is 1 set. Low MOQ, custom colour and size options are available on request, so a first order can be a single pergola rather than a full container.
Can I ship a single pergola without booking a full container?
Yes. LCL is practical for a first order, and we can move to FCL when your volumes justify it. We can arrange shipping, or work with your designated forwarder.
Do I get custom sizes and colours on a small order?
Standard sizes are 3×3 m, 4×3 m, 4×4 m and 4×6 m, with custom sizes up to 6 × 6 m. Colours are white, grey, black, or custom on request. Custom configurations are available on request — confirm at quotation stage.
How long does a first order take?
Standard lead time is 15–20 days after order confirmation, plus transit. Packaging is plywood export crates suitable for sea freight.
Can you make the pergola to my own drawing?
Yes. We manufacture to your drawings, or develop a new model with our design team, including custom dimensions, colours and structural configurations.
Is a small first order more expensive per unit?
Unit cost is affected mainly by quantity and specification. The reason to start small is not price — it is to validate finish, fit and packaging with limited exposure before you commit to a programme. Ask us for pricing at both trial and programme quantities so you can see the difference before deciding.
What warranty applies to a first order?
The same as any order: 5 years structural warranty and 2 years motor warranty, with the motor rated IP65 and tested for 10,000 open/close cycles.
Start with one set
Send your target specification — size, operation, colour and market — and we will confirm manufacturability, tooling and price.
Contact: browncardon.global@gmail.com · Chongqing, China