# Lead time - what it means in sourcing | Cheery Supply Chain

> Days from confirmed order to goods ready. The repeat-order figure matters more than the first-order estimate.

Source: https://luressource.com/glossary/lead-time/

Lead time Direct answer Lead time: Days from confirmed order to goods ready. The repeat-order figure matters more than the first-order estimate. Key facts Because it carries tooling, sample approval and a first-article check that a repeat order does not. Work backwards from the shelf date. Days from confirmed order to goods ready. What it changes for you The repeat-order figure matters more than the first-order estimate. In practice Lead time is the number of days from a confirmed order to goods ready. The repeat-order figure is the one that matters for planning: a first order includes tooling and first-article approval, so it is longer and less repeatable. Our published timeline runs about 7 to 9 weeks from order to goods landed on existing tooling, and 10 to 14 weeks with new tooling, sea transit included. Questions about Lead Why is the first order slower than a repeat? Because it carries tooling, sample approval and a first-article check that a repeat order does not. Planning on the first-order figure overstates the lead time for every order that follows. When should I order for a spring season? Work backwards from the shelf date. A new tooling programme takes about 10 to 14 weeks order-to-landed, so a northern-hemisphere spring programme is normally confirmed in the fourth quarter of the previous year. Other terms FOB (Free On Board) - Seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at the named port; cost and risk transfer there. EXW (Ex Works) - Buyer collects at the factory gate. MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) - The smallest quantity a factory will run for one specification. Tooling cost - The one-off cost of the injection mould, die or print plate. Colourway tolerance - The measured range a factory will hold between sample and repeat production. AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) - The sampling standard (ISO 2859-1) defining allowed defects per inspected lot. Send a specification All 14 terms Sources The working timeline is published at /how-it-works/#timeline Where to next Product catalogue Sample listings with price per unit Verified directory Factories that passed 4 verification gates How sourcing works Six steps, timing, failure modes Price benchmark Reference bands and MOQ tiers