How should a dealer plan reorder timing for Chinese cars with long shipping cycles?

To avoid stockouts while accounting for 22–35 day shipping, dealers should follow a reorder trigger based on sales velocity:

• Set a reorder point at 60–70% sold: When 60–70% of a model’s inventory is sold, place the next order immediately. This gives enough buffer for manufacturing lead time (if applicable) and shipping.
• Use sales velocity per model: Track weekly sales for each model. For fast-movers selling 10+ units per month, reorder in smaller batches (e.g., 20 units every 3 weeks) rather than one large order. For slower models, order quarterly.
• Plan for seasonal peaks: In GCC, higher demand occurs before Ramadan, year-end, and during summer. Place orders 6–8 weeks before these peaks to ensure delivery.
• Leverage Starvia’s live inventory: Starvia offers real-time availability for 36+ brands, reducing lead time for reorders. Check New Cars monthly for hot models.
• Include a safety stock: Keep 2–3 extra units of top sellers (like Haval H6 or BYD Yuan Plus) to cover shipping delays.

A simple rule: “Reorder when stock hits 5 weeks of remaining sales at current velocity.” Use CIF quotes from Starvia to keep costs predictable.

For detailed shipping timeline info, see the Export Process page.