| Material Selection | Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), recycled polypropylene (rPP), glass, aluminum, bamboo components, or paper-based secondary packaging | Material composition should be specified as a percentage by weight; recycled content is commonly offered in defined grades rather than as an unverified general claim | Supplier declaration, recycled-content test report, chain-of-custody documentation, and material safety data where applicable | Request the exact material grade, recycled-content percentage, color limitations, odor information, and compatibility with the cosmetic formula before approval |
| Product Formats | Jars, lotion bottles, airless bottles, tubes, pumps, droppers, compacts, refill cartridges, and paper cartons | Common cosmetic capacities range from approximately 5 ml to 500 ml, depending on the format and application | Technical specification sheet, dimensional drawing, component list, and closure compatibility information | Confirm neck size, thread type, dispensing output, inner liner, decoration area, and whether components can be supplied separately |
| Minimum Order Quantity | Standard stock packaging or customized packaging | Stock items may be available from hundreds to several thousand units; customized molds, colors, and decorations commonly require several thousand units or more | Written quotation stating minimum order quantity by size, color, decoration, and component | Ask whether the minimum quantity applies per item, color, finish, mold, or total order; mixed-size orders may have separate minimums |
| Sampling | Existing sample, pre-production sample, or color and decoration proof | Unprinted stock samples are often faster; custom samples generally require additional development time and may involve sample charges | Approved golden sample, signed artwork proof, color reference, and packaging specification | Do not authorize mass production until the sample confirms dimensions, fit, pump performance, color, print position, and surface finish |
| Tooling and Mold Development | New injection mold, blow mold, compression mold, or custom closure tooling | Tooling lead time commonly ranges from about 20 to 45 days, depending on complexity and revision requirements | Tooling drawing, mold ownership clause, cavity information, trial report, and approved pre-production sample | Clarify tooling ownership, maintenance responsibility, storage period, modification fees, and whether the mold may be used for other buyers |
| Production Lead Time | Standard packaging versus custom packaging | Stock orders may take roughly 7–20 days after confirmation; customized orders commonly require approximately 30–60 days after sample and artwork approval | Production schedule, order acknowledgment, inspection plan, and shipment readiness notice | Build extra time into the schedule for holidays, raw-material shortages, decoration approval, quality rework, and export documentation |
| Cosmetic Compatibility | Packaging tested with oils, alcohol-containing formulas, emulsions, acids, and high-viscosity products | Compatibility should be evaluated with the actual formula, normally through accelerated and real-time observation | Compatibility test records, leakage test results, stress-cracking observations, and formula-specific approval | Test the complete package, including bottle, closure, gasket, pump, dip tube, decoration, and formula; material suitability cannot be judged from appearance alone |
| Food-Contact and Cosmetic Safety | Plastic, glass, metal, elastomer, adhesive, ink, and coating components used in direct or indirect product contact | Requirements vary by destination market and by whether the material touches the cosmetic formula | Material declaration, restricted-substance statement, migration or extractables data where relevant, and applicable safety documentation | Identify every material in the contact path and verify destination-market requirements before production, especially for colorants, coatings, and recycled plastics |
| Environmental Certifications | Recycled-content claims, responsibly sourced paper or bamboo, compostability claims, and environmental management systems | Certification availability depends on the material and claim; not every “eco-friendly” statement is a regulated certification | Valid certificate number, scope, issuing organization, audit date, and chain-of-custody records where applicable | Check that the certificate covers the specific factory, material, product category, and production period rather than relying on a general logo |
| Recyclability | Mono-material plastic packaging, clear glass, aluminum, or easily separable multi-component packaging | Recyclability depends on local collection systems, material combinations, labels, pigments, pumps, and adhesives | Material identification, component breakdown, recyclability assessment, and destination-market packaging guidance | Minimize inseparable combinations, avoid unnecessary sleeves or coatings, and verify disposal instructions for the target sales market |
| Refillability and Reuse | Reusable outer shell with replaceable inner cartridge or refill pouch | Requires dimensional consistency, repeated-use testing, and reliable availability of refill components | Cycle test records, closure durability test, leakage test, cleaning instructions, and refill compatibility specification | Define how many refill cycles are expected and ensure future refill supply is commercially realistic for the planned product lifecycle |
| Quality Inspection | Incoming material inspection, in-process inspection, and final random inspection | Typical checkpoints include dimensions, weight, color, appearance, leakage, torque, dispensing output, and decoration adhesion | Inspection checklist, defect classification, batch records, retained samples, and corrective-action report when needed | Agree on measurable acceptance criteria before production; visual standards should include approved samples and clearly defined defect limits |
| Packaging for Shipment | Individual bags, dividers, molded trays, corrugated cartons, and palletized export packaging | Packaging configuration should be based on component fragility, stacking strength, moisture exposure, and container loading efficiency | Carton specification, drop-test or transport-test record where necessary, carton markings, and packing list | Request carton dimensions, gross weight, units per carton, pallet pattern, and protection against scratching, dust, breakage, and deformation |
| Shipping and Incoterms | Sea freight, rail freight, air freight, or courier shipment | Sea freight is generally suitable for larger, non-urgent orders; air freight is faster but usually has a higher transport cost per unit | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin where required, and agreed Incoterms | Confirm whether the quoted price is based on EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP, or another term, and clarify responsibility for customs, insurance, duties, and inland delivery |
| Payment and Commercial Terms | Deposit plus balance, documentary payment, or other agreed commercial arrangement | Custom production commonly requires a deposit before material purchasing and the remaining balance before shipment, subject to negotiation | Proforma invoice, purchase contract, bank details verified through an independent channel, and payment schedule | Link milestone payments to sample approval, production completion, inspection results, and shipment documents; avoid changing bank details without verification |
| Supply Continuity | Single-source, dual-source, or approved-material-substitution strategy | Continuity depends on mold availability, raw-material allocation, component standardization, and documented quality controls | Capacity statement, backup-material plan, change-control procedure, and business-continuity information | Ask how the supplier handles raw-material changes, equipment failure, labor disruption, quality incidents, and sudden increases in demand |
| Total Landed Cost | Unit price plus tooling, samples, decoration, inspection, freight, duties, taxes, and local handling | Low unit pricing may be offset by high mold fees, decoration loss, breakage, freight volume, or import charges | Itemized quotation, freight estimate, carton data, tariff classification support, and cost-validity period | Compare suppliers using the same specifications and delivery term; calculate cost per saleable unit rather than only the factory unit price |
