Buying Guide

How to Read a Paper Cup Quote: MOQ, Incoterms & Landed Cost

15 April 2025

MOQ, Incoterms (EXW, FOB, CIF), lead time and duties — how to turn a per-cup price into your true landed cost per unit.

A cup price on its own tells you very little. What matters to a distributor is the **landed cost per cup** — the all-in number once freight, duties and tax are included. Here's how to read a quote properly.

MOQ (minimum order quantity)

Custom print usually starts from **1,000 pcs per size**, but the economics improve dramatically at pallet and container scale. Ask for price breaks at 5,000 / 10,000 / full-container volumes.

Incoterms — who pays for what

**EXW (Ex Works):** you arrange everything from our factory door. Lowest quoted price, most work for you.

**FOB Istanbul:** we deliver to the port and load the vessel. You handle sea freight onward.

**CIF [your port]:** we cover freight and insurance to your destination port. Easiest to compare.

Always confirm which Incoterm a price refers to — an "EXW" price and a "CIF" price are not comparable.

Lead time

Plan for **production time + sea transit**. Production depends on quantity and printing; transit is roughly 8–18 days depending on the Gulf port. A physical print proof is approved before production starts.

Building your landed cost

Landed cost per cup = (unit price + freight share + duty + VAT + local handling) ÷ quantity. A slightly higher CIF price can beat a "cheaper" EXW price once you add freight and clearance.

**Tip:** order mixed-size containers so you carry your full range on one shipment while still hitting container economics.

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