“Wholesale” and “bulk” both mean volume buying, but for PET preforms they drive different decisions. This guide covers how bulk pricing works, what sets the minimum order, and why landed cost — not unit price — is the number that matters.
Wholesale vs bulk: what changes
Wholesale buying is about repeat, contract volume at a negotiated price; bulk is about filling a shipment efficiently. A PET preform is light but voluminous, so the real lever is how many pieces you fit per container, not the headline price per thousand.
How bulk pricing works
Unit price falls with annual volume, resin contract terms and run length on a given SKU. Delta El Nile for Industry runs 92,000 MT/year across 35+ injection lines, so high-volume SKUs in standard necks (PCO 1881, 29/25) price and replenish fastest. Consolidating on fewer SKUs lifts run length and lowers cost more than chasing a marginally lighter preform.
MOQ, packing and the container
Delta’s minimum order is one full 40 ft container or one full truck; for less, ask us to check whether the SKU is in stock. Preforms ship in octabins or cartons; octabins fit the most pieces per 40 ft container and depalletize fastest. Use the Container Calculator to size pallets, 40 ft containers and trucks for your exact SKU.
Buy on landed cost, not unit price
Compare quotes as landed cost: unit price + freight + insurance + duty to your port. A lighter preform or a fuller container can beat a lower headline price. Delta ships FOB from Alexandria, Port Said and Damietta to 25+ markets; convert every offer to landed cost before deciding.
Ready to source? Build an RFQ with your SKU, annual quantity and destination for a wholesale quote.