Lead time is the total time from confirming an order to receiving the goods, and it is best understood in three parts: sampling, production, and shipping.

Sampling commonly takes one to two weeks, or longer if custom tooling is involved. Production commonly runs 25–40 days depending on order size, finishing processes, and how many colors the line must change between. Shipping then adds transit time that depends entirely on the mode you choose.

Two factors reliably stretch lead time: Chinese New Year, when the entire supply chain pauses for weeks, and custom color batches, which must be mixed and approved before production can start.

When you compare a factory’s promised 30 days against another’s 45, check whether both numbers include sampling, tooling, and transit, because only one of them may be counting the same things.

Practical takeaway: Add sampling, tooling, and transit to the quoted production days to get your true door-to-door lead time.