Short answer: a wholesale toy RFQ should show the selling unit, case pack, carton dimensions, carton CBM, gross weight, MOQ and mixed-carton rule for each SKU. These fields connect product selection with warehouse space, freight planning and the quantity the supplier is actually quoting.
Why case pack and CBM belong beside the product price
Two toy products with a similar unit price can have very different landed costs if one uses a large display package or an inefficient carton. Case pack tells the buyer how many selling units are packed together. Carton dimensions and CBM show the space used in transport and storage. MOQ tells the buyer the minimum quantity under a specific product and packaging assumption.
These values are not universal category facts. They can change when the product size, color mix, package type, insert, display carton, battery, solution bottle or logo artwork changes. Ask the supplier to identify the SKU and packaging version next to every logistics number.
| Field | What it means | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Selling unit | The unit the buyer sells or quotes, such as piece, set or box. | Does the MOQ use pieces, sets, inner boxes or cartons? |
| Case pack | Number of selling units in one master carton or inner pack. | Is the quantity fixed, and is there an inner pack? |
| Carton size | Outer carton length, width and height. | Are the dimensions for the final package and not a bare item? |
| CBM | Carton volume in cubic meters. | Was it calculated from the quoted carton dimensions? |
| Gross weight | Product, packaging and carton weight together. | Is the figure an estimate or a verified packing result? |
How to calculate carton CBM
For a rectangular carton, convert each dimension to meters and multiply length by width by height. For example, an illustrative carton measuring 0.60 m by 0.40 m by 0.50 m has a volume of 0.12 cubic meters. This is only a calculation example, not a TopToyFactory product specification. Always use the supplier's final carton dimensions for the selected SKU and package.
If the supplier provides dimensions in centimeters, the formula is length in cm multiplied by width in cm multiplied by height in cm, divided by 1,000,000. Round only after the calculation and keep the original dimensions in the RFQ. A rounded CBM should not be used to hide a carton-size difference.
Case pack, MOQ and order quantity
MOQ and case pack answer different questions. MOQ is the minimum order quantity under a supplier's production or packing plan; case pack is the carton or inner-pack quantity. If a product has a case pack of 24 and the MOQ is 240 pieces, the order may be planned as 10 master cartons, but the supplier should confirm whether partial cartons are allowed and whether custom packaging changes the minimum.
For OEM projects, ask for separate MOQ values for standard packaging, logo-only packaging, color box, display carton and a new mold or shape. A product can have one catalog MOQ and a higher private-label MOQ. Keep the quote version, sample version and package artwork linked to the same SKU.
- Ask what quantity unit the MOQ uses.
- Confirm whether the order must be a full-carton multiple.
- Request standard and custom-package MOQ separately.
- Ask whether mixed colors or mixed SKUs change case pack or minimums.
Mixed cartons and multi-SKU wholesale orders
Mixed cartons can help a distributor test a broad assortment, but they need explicit rules. Ask which SKUs can be combined, the minimum quantity per SKU, the outer-carton limit, the labeling method and whether the quoted CBM is based on a planned mix. A mixed carton may not use the same case pack as a single-SKU carton.
For a combined RFQ, create a simple table with SKU, description, quantity, package, case pack, carton data and requested quote term. Ask the supplier to return the same fields. This prevents one product from being quoted per piece while another is quoted per carton without a clear conversion.
Packaging choices that change carton efficiency
Color boxes, window boxes, display cartons, blister cards, hanging cards, polybags and instruction inserts all use space differently. A package that improves shelf presentation may reduce the number of units per carton or increase CBM. It can still be the right choice, but the buyer should compare the commercial benefit with storage and freight assumptions.
Share the package goal early: retail shelf, hook display, gift set, classroom storage, party favor or bulk distribution. Ask for a package mockup or sample, then request updated case pack and carton data after the package is approved. Do not carry old carton numbers into a new artwork version without confirmation.
For packaging and custom production, use thetoy OEM page. For compliance and label review, use thetoy certification support page.
How logistics data improves an RFQ
Warehouse and freight planning becomes more reliable when the buyer knows how many cartons a purchase order creates. Request the carton count, total CBM, gross weight, pallet assumptions if relevant and whether the numbers are based on standard or custom packaging. The forwarder can then review the route using a defined packing plan.
FOB and EXW terms are also easier to compare when the quote states the unit, package, case pack and carton assumptions. A low unit price without a package version, carton plan or document status is not a complete sourcing comparison.
Buyer worksheet for case pack, carton and CBM
| SKU | Qty | Package | Case pack | Carton LxWxH | CBM | Gross kg | MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item reference | Pieces or sets | Standard or custom | Units/carton | Supplier-confirmed | Calculated and confirmed | Supplier-confirmed | Unit and quantity |
Fill this worksheet with product links and ask the supplier to confirm every blank. Then add destination market, sample timing, logo or packaging notes and required compliance documents. Thewholesale toy catalogcan be used to build the initial SKU list.
From purchase order to warehouse plan
Once the item list is approved, convert the supplier's case pack into the expected carton count and record the total volume. Check whether the quantity is a full-carton multiple and whether the supplier has used the final package version. A change from a polybag to a display box can alter the carton count even when the toy itself is unchanged.
Share the confirmed packing plan with the warehouse or forwarder. They can check whether the carton dimensions, gross weight and total CBM fit the intended route, pallet or container plan. The website should not promise a freight rate from a generic CBM example; the example only explains the field. Final logistics decisions belong to the buyer, supplier and carrier using current shipment data.
A practical RFQ example without inventing product facts
Imagine a buyer has three catalog SKUs for a seasonal assortment. The buyer can request 240 pieces of item A, 120 sets of item B and 60 display boxes of item C, then ask the supplier to return the MOQ unit, case pack, carton dimensions, CBM, gross weight and quote term for each line. The quantities and products are only an RFQ structure; they are not TopToyFactory specifications or a price promise.
This format gives the purchasing team a way to compare standard and private-label packages. If the custom box changes the case pack, the supplier can show the revised carton and volume rather than hiding the change inside a unit price.
FAQ
Is case pack the same as MOQ?
No. Case pack is the number of units in a pack or carton. MOQ is the minimum order quantity under the supplier's product and packaging plan. Ask whether the MOQ must be a full-carton multiple.
How do I calculate CBM for toy cartons?
Convert length, width and height to meters and multiply them. For centimeter dimensions, divide the product by 1,000,000. Use the supplier's final dimensions for the actual package.
Does a custom color box change carton CBM?
It can change case pack, carton dimensions, gross weight and total volume. Request updated logistics data after the package proof is approved.
Can a supplier mix different toy SKUs in one carton?
Some programs may allow mixed cartons, but the minimum per SKU, labeling, case quantity and volume must be confirmed. Do not assume a single-SKU carton plan applies to a mixed order.
Questions to ask before releasing the purchase order
Before release, ask whether the carton dimensions are final, whether the case pack is a full-carton quantity, whether the quote includes the approved package and whether any mixed-carton rule has been documented. Confirm the destination market, labeling, sample approval and required certificate files at the same time. A final check is especially important when a product moved from standard packaging to a private-label display box.
Record the person or team that confirmed the packing data and the date of confirmation. Carton numbers can change after production engineering or packaging approval, so the RFQ should be treated as a dated commercial record rather than a permanent product attribute.
