“When will it arrive?” is the question that decides whether a buyer places the order. Here is how the timeline actually breaks down, and which parts you can influence.

The three phases

What shortens the timeline

• A complete requirement list at enquiry. Every unanswered question adds a round trip.
• Deposit paid promptly. The production slot is booked on payment, not on agreement.
• Documents prepared in advance. Send your importer-of-record details with the order.
• Choosing a configuration that is already scheduled. If your exact spec is not in the current plan, it waits for the next one.

What lengthens it

• Changing specification after the order is placed
• Pre-shipment inspection raised late
• An emission standard that has to be confirmed with the factory
• Port congestion at either end — seasonal and outside anyone’s control

How to plan a stock order

Work backwards from the date you want vehicles on the ground, subtract clearance time, transit, and production, and that gives you the order date. Allow a margin for the one document that always takes longer than expected.

For a first order, place it earlier than feels necessary. For a repeat order, place it against your sell-through rate rather than your stock level.

See how we handle loading and documentation →