Low-MOQ Sourcing Checklist

At quote time

• Confirm minimum per style (3-piece programs exist — how small-lot buying works)
• Get DDP landed price: freight + duty + clearance in one number (DDP vs FOB math)
• Request the factory's HS code per SKU in writing (HTS codes for home textiles)
• Ask label spec: fiber %, origin, care, whose RN (FTC labeling rules)
• Ask what concession unlocks the next price tier (how price breaks work)
• Know the Incoterm before you compare prices (EXW/FOB/CIF/DDP explained)
• Agree payment terms in writing — Net-30/60 vs deposit (payment terms explained)
• Read every quote and proforma line before signing (how to read a wholesale quote)

At sample time

• Run the five-test QC routine before any reorder
• Photograph the approved sample — it is your claim evidence

At order time

• Consolidate mixed SKUs into one carton — one clearance event (mix-and-match mechanics)
• Plan seasonal buys 45 days out on sea DDP (seasonal buying calendar)
• Import costs post-de-minimis (2026 import math)
• File ISF (10+2) before origin loading, not US arrival (ISF & US customs entry)
• Insure the carton and know who files the claim (cargo insurance & freight claims)

At reorder time

• 60-day sell-through: 40%+ graduates the SKU (open-to-buy budgeting)
• Day 90 markdown on laggards; cash funds the winners
• One consolidated carton every 3–4 weeks beats weekly small parcels
• Watch inventory turn, not just margin (inventory turnover formulas)

Choosing your model & selling it

• Wholesale vs consignment: which fits your shelf (consignment vs wholesale)
• Dropshipping vs wholesale: the margin math (dropshipping vs wholesale)
• Set return & reverse-logistics policy before you need it (returns & reverse logistics)
• Land the buyer: cold email + line sheet outreach (how to pitch retail buyers)

Docs, duties & policy (late-Sep additions)

• Reading a bill of lading, packing list & commercial invoice
• Customs bonds: continuous vs single entry
• Tariff & duty minimization for small importers
• MAP pricing for home decor wholesale explained
• Seasonal staffing & holiday temp hiring

Business setup, fulfillment & channels (early-Oct additions)

• Resale business setup: LLC, EIN & licenses
• 3PL fulfillment & warehouse storage for small sellers
• Inventory demand forecasting for seasonal decor
• Subscription boxes & recurring revenue
• Pop-up shops & experiential retail
• Retail promotions calendar planning

Cost, consolidation & branding (mid-Oct additions)

• Consolidating a mixed order to lower DDP landed cost
• Low-MOQ private-label sourcing for boutique startups
• Dimensional weight & shipping cost optimization
• Keyword research that converts for decor stores

Site knowledge & SEO operations (late-Oct additions)

• Hreflang & multilingual SEO for decor stores
• Google Search Console practical workflow
• E-E-A-T & trust signals for small stores
• Topical authority & content clusters
• Faceted navigation & pagination SEO
• Search intent: matching pages to queries

SEO operations (Oct 22–27 additions)

• Featured snippets & People Also Ask for decor stores
• Traffic-drop troubleshooting: why you lost rankings
• Backlink audits & disavow files
• New-domain SEO & realistic ranking timelines
• Site migrations & 301 redirects
• Competitor analysis & content-gap research
• Review schema & product-ratings SEO
• SEO content calendars & editorial pipeline
• URL structure best practices
• JavaScript SEO, SSR & crawlability
• Site architecture & content silos
• Seasonal SEO & the Q4 search surge