MOQ, Lead Time & Payment Terms: What ASEAN Importers Should Expect from Taiwan Generic Suppliers

Introduction

Understanding the commercial terms of Taiwan pharmaceutical supply partnerships before committing to a registration project helps ASEAN importers plan inventory, cash flow, and supply chain operations realistically.

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)

MOQ requirements vary significantly depending on product type, dosage form, and manufacturer production scale.

Typical MOQ ranges: - Oral solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules): 10,000 – 100,000 units per SKU per order - Liquid forms (oral solutions, syrups): 1,000 – 5,000 bottles - Topical/semi-solid forms: 1,000 – 5,000 units - Sterile injectables: 5,000 – 20,000 vials/ampoules

OEM/private label MOQs: Typically 1.5–2× standard stock MOQs, reflecting additional setup costs for custom packaging and artwork.

MOQs are often negotiable for established importer partners or with annual volume commitment letters.

Production Lead Time

Stock (off-the-shelf) products: - Product in manufacturer inventory: 2–4 weeks for documentation and shipment - Product requiring production scheduling: 8–12 weeks

Made-to-order products (standard packaging): - 8–16 weeks production scheduling + manufacturing + QC release

OEM/private label (custom packaging): - Artwork development and approval: 4–8 weeks - Packaging material procurement: 4–6 weeks - Production and QC release: 6–10 weeks - Total OEM lead time for first order: typically 16–24 weeks from order confirmation

Shelf Life on Shipment

ASEAN importers and hospital buyers expect products to arrive with sufficient remaining shelf life: - Minimum remaining shelf life on arrival: 70–80% of total approved shelf life - For a 24-month shelf life product: should arrive with at least 18 months remaining - Hospital procurement preference: 18–24 months remaining shelf life at delivery

Confirm shelf life expectations with your Taiwan supplier before ordering.

Incoterms and Shipping

• →FOB Taipei/Taoyuan/Kaohsiung: Most common for experienced importers handling their own freight forwarding
• →CIF Bangkok/Singapore/KL: Offered by some exporters, particularly for newer importer relationships

Cold chain products require refrigerated (2–8°C) shipping throughout the supply chain. Confirm cold chain capability before ordering.

Payment Terms

Standard payment terms: - T/T (Telegraphic Transfer): Most common payment method - First-time orders: Typically 30–50% deposit on order confirmation, balance before shipment - Established relationships: 30-day credit terms may be negotiable - L/C (Letter of Credit): Accepted by most manufacturers for larger orders

Payment terms are relationship- and volume-dependent. New importers should expect front-loaded payment requirements initially.

Documentation Provided with Each Shipment

Standard export documentation: - Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for each batch - Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP) — current validity confirmed - GMP Certificate — copy provided - Packing list and commercial invoice - Airway bill or Bill of Lading - Country of Origin Certificate (if required)

Summary

Establishing clear commercial expectations before engaging a Taiwan supplier allows ASEAN importers to plan supply chain relationships realistically. The most successful Taiwan-ASEAN pharmaceutical supply partnerships are those where MOQ, lead time, payment terms, and documentation requirements are clearly established upfront.