Sampling is the cheapest insurance in sourcing and the first place budgets get misunderstood. This page frames the costs and the terms worth writing down.
Sample conversations go wrong at the terms, not at the prices: who pays, whether the cost is credited against the order, and who owns the samples afterwards. The ranges vary by platform and market, so this page frames the questions rather than quoting figures; the standing caveats in the MOQ and lead time page apply throughout.
| Item | Usually charged | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First fit or function sample | Yes, at a sample rate | Covers material, labor and logistics |
| Revision rounds | Varies; sometimes charged after a free first revision | Negotiate the rounds up front, per the review protocol |
| Custom tooling samples | Yes, plus tooling amortization discussion | The OEM route in the platform decision |
| Golden sample units | Often at production cost | The sealed set, per the golden sample page |
| Freight for samples | Usually the buyer | Express freight is a real line on heavy boxes |
Send your mechanism type, capacity and certification need — we match a verified factory and return a consolidated quotation.
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