Importers and retail-chain buyers building a hard-side luggage program need to settle three decisions before they request quotations: which shell material to buy, which sizes to stock, and what the bulk order terms actually cover. This article works through those decisions using published product specifications from Wellmax Luggage, an OEM/ODM manufacturer based in Fujian, China, so buyers can compare options on real data rather than marketing claims.
Who Should Source Hard-Side Luggage Wholesale
Hard-side luggage wholesale suits buyers who need consistent shell quality across a repeating order cycle — retail chains, online marketplaces, department stores, and importers building a private-label or house-brand program. The category works well when you can commit to a size range and a colorway set, because the manufacturing setup is stable and repeatable.
It is less suitable for buyers who need very small trial quantities or frequent design changes mid-production. The OEM/ODM process — sampling, customization confirmation, bulk production, inspection — works best when specifications are locked before the sampling stage.
PC vs ABS vs PP: A Selection Decision, Not a Spec Sheet
The three shell materials buyers encounter most often are polycarbonate (PC), ABS, and polypropylene (PP). Each sits at a different point on the cost-flexibility-durability scale, and the right choice depends on your retail price tier and customer expectations.
Polycarbonate (PC)
PC is the material used in Wellmax's published hard-side products, including the 22 inch polycarbonate cabin luggage, the 26 inch expandable checked luggage, and the 24 inch solid color spinner luggage. PC is described as impact-resistant, which matters for checked luggage that goes through airport handling. It sits at the premium end of the material range and is a natural fit for buyers targeting higher retail price points.
ABS
ABS is a common lower-cost shell material. It is lighter on the budget and works for entry-level or promotional lines. Because ABS is a different material from PC, its performance characteristics differ — buyers should ask the supplier for the specific ABS grade and any available test data rather than assuming it behaves like PC. ABS is a reasonable choice when price sensitivity is the primary constraint and the product is positioned as a value option.
Polypropylene (PP)
PP shells are known for flexibility and resistance to cracking under impact. They are a good option for buyers who want a durable shell at a mid-range price point. As with ABS, the exact PP grade and any performance data should be confirmed with the supplier before committing to a bulk order.
Building a 20–28 Inch Size Range for Retail
Full-size hard-side luggage programs typically cover cabin, medium-check, and large-check sizes. A practical range for most retail buyers runs from 20 to 28 inches. Wellmax's published products include 22, 24, and 26 inch sizes, which map to the three core retail slots:
| Size | Typical Retail Role | Published Wellmax Example |
|---|---|---|
| 20–22 inch | Cabin / carry-on | 22 inch PC cabin luggage — 4 spinner wheels, telescopic handle, TSA lock zipper closure, colors: charcoal/black/navy |
| 24 inch | Medium check | 24 inch solid color spinner — PC shell, 4 spinner wheels, colors: black/navy/red |
| 26–28 inch | Large check / family travel | 26 inch expandable checked luggage — PC shell, expandable zipper panel, colors: black/charcoal/navy |
For a retail program, the assortment logic usually depends on your shelf space and customer profile. A three-size set (cabin, medium, large) is the most common configuration. Some buyers add a fourth size for a wider price ladder. When selecting colors, note that published Wellmax colorways include charcoal, black, navy, and red, so you can build a coordinated set without custom color development. Custom colors can be discussed with the supplier during the sampling stage.
What Bulk Order Terms Actually Cover
Bulk order terms for hard-side luggage are not just MOQ and price. They cover a set of commercial and quality checkpoints that determine whether your order arrives on schedule and to spec. Below is a checklist grounded in Wellmax's published ordering workflow.
MOQ
Wellmax publishes an MOQ of 300 pcs for its 22, 24, and 26 inch products. This is the per-order minimum for those models. If you need a mixed-size order, confirm with the supplier whether the MOQ applies per size, per color, or per order. MOQ tiers — lower unit costs at higher volumes — are a common industry practice but are not published for Wellmax products; ask the supplier directly.
Lead Time
Published lead time for the 22, 24, and 26 inch products is 30–35 days. This is typically production time after order confirmation and sample approval, and it does not include shipping transit. Confirm with the supplier how sampling time fits into the overall schedule and whether peak-season orders require longer lead time.
Packaging
Packaging varies by product. The 22 inch PC cabin luggage ships with an individual poly bag plus carton. The 24 inch solid color spinner ships in an individual carton. The 26 inch expandable checked luggage ships in a poly bag plus carton. If you need custom packaging — retail boxes, hangtags, barcodes, or branded poly bags — confirm the requirements with the supplier and include them in the sampling process. Packaging changes can affect lead time, so agree on the final packaging spec before bulk production.
Inspection
Two inspection points matter: during sampling and before shipment. Sampling is part of the OEM/ODM order cycle, and third-party inspection and preferred Incoterms should be agreed before shipment. Wellmax's published process includes finished-product inspection before packing. For your order, confirm the inspection standard, whether you will use a third-party inspector, and at what stage the inspection takes place.
Incoterms
Incoterms determine who arranges and pays for shipping, insurance, and customs clearance. Preferred terms are agreed between buyer and supplier before shipment. Common options include FOB (buyer arranges main carriage) and EXW (buyer arranges all transport from the factory). The right choice depends on your freight forwarder relationships and import experience. Confirm the exact Incoterm and port with the supplier when requesting a quotation.
Customization
Color, lining, and hardware customization can be confirmed with the supplier before sampling. This is the stage to specify custom logos, zipper pulls, interior lining colors, and shell colors. Once sampling begins, changes become more expensive and time-consuming, so lock the spec early.
Before You Request a Quotation: A Buyer Checklist
Use this checklist to prepare a request that gets you a usable quote faster:
- Size mix: Which sizes (e.g., 22 + 24 + 26) and how many units per size?
- Shell material: PC, ABS, or PP? Confirm the grade and any required test data with the supplier.
- Colors: Standard colorways (charcoal, black, navy, red) or custom?
- Customization: Logo, lining, hardware, TSA lock, expandable panel?
- Packaging: Poly bag + carton, individual carton, or custom retail packaging?
- Inspection: Will you use a third-party inspector? At what stage?
- Incoterms: FOB, EXW, or another term? Which port?
- Target schedule: When do you need the goods? Does it fit the published 30–35 day lead time?
FAQ
What is the MOQ for hard-side luggage from Wellmax?
Published MOQ is 300 pcs for the 22, 24, and 26 inch products. For mixed-size or mixed-color orders, confirm whether the MOQ applies per SKU or per order with the supplier.
How long does production take?
Published lead time is 30–35 days. This typically excludes sampling time and shipping transit. Confirm the full schedule with the supplier when you request a quote.
Can I customize colors and hardware?
Color, lining, and hardware customization can be confirmed with the supplier before sampling. Customization is easiest to accommodate when specified before the sampling stage.
What Incoterms do you work with?
Preferred Incoterms are agreed between buyer and supplier before shipment. Confirm the exact term and port with the supplier when requesting a quotation.
Do you offer third-party inspection?
Third-party inspection can be arranged and agreed before shipment. The published process includes finished-product inspection before packing; confirm the specific inspection standard and timing with the supplier.
Next Step
If you are building a hard-side luggage program, start by defining your size mix, shell material, and target retail tier. Then request a quotation with those details and confirm MOQ, lead time, packaging, inspection, and Incoterms in writing before sampling. Wellmax Luggage, founded in 2013, operates a 12,000 m² factory in Fujian, China, with approximately 320 staff and a monthly capacity of around 150,000 pcs. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and BSCI audited, and exports to 40+ countries. Buyers can review the 22 inch PC cabin luggage, 26 inch expandable checked luggage, and 24 inch solid color spinner luggage product pages, then contact the team to confirm specifications for your order.