Minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest number of units, or the smallest total order value, that a supplier will accept in a single order. It is the floor a buyer has to clear before the seller will produce, pick, pack, or ship. MOQs exist because small orders often cost more to fulfill than they earn, so sellers set a minimum to keep each transaction worth handling.
How it works
An MOQ can be applied in a few ways. It might be a unit count on a single product (for example, 50 units of one SKU), a threshold on a specific variant (a size or color), or a rule across the whole order (a minimum cart total like $500). Some sellers combine these, setting per product minimums alongside a total order minimum. MOQs are also frequently tiered with volume pricing, so the lowest price only unlocks once the buyer orders well above the minimum.
Why it matters
For sellers, MOQs protect margin by spreading fixed costs (setup, machine time, shipping, admin) across enough units to stay profitable. For buyers, MOQs affect cash flow and storage, since a high minimum means committing to inventory upfront. In B2B, MOQs are a normal part of negotiation, and quotes are where they get communicated and sometimes adjusted for a specific customer.
Example in B2B quoting on Shopify
Say a wholesale buyer requests 30 units but your MOQ is 50. Rather than reject the request, you can quote the 50-unit minimum, show the per-unit price at that quantity, and let the buyer accept. When a quote request comes in below your threshold, converting it into a quote lets you set the correct quantity and price before it becomes a draft order the buyer pays for through Shopify checkout.
See the B2B quoting glossary for related terms, or the pricing page for plan details.