Guides
Plain-English guides on buying factory-direct wholesale: minimums, case packs, landed cost and what to check before you order.
Each guide answers one question independent retailers ask before buying factory-direct. Written by the Tally Wholesale team, with duty and fee figures checked against official sources such as US Customs and Border Protection.
Guide
Case packs and minimum order quantities, explained for independent retailers
A case pack is a fixed quantity of one product in a single carton. A minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the fewest units a supplier will sell per style. An order minimum is a dollar or unit threshold for the whole order. Understanding all three helps you buy the right amount without over-committing.
Updated September 30, 2026
Guide
How to buy factory-direct wholesale without Alibaba minimums
Most Alibaba factories require hundreds or thousands of units per order. Independent retailers can buy factory-direct goods in smaller case-pack quantities by working with a US importer that consolidates orders, handles customs, and quotes one landed price per unit.
Updated September 30, 2026
Guide
What landed cost means for a small retailer, and how to work it out
Landed cost is everything it takes to get a product into your hands: the factory or wholesale price, plus freight, duties, and any customs fees. For a retailer, it is the only cost number that tells you whether a product is actually profitable before you price it for your shelves.
Updated September 30, 2026