FAQ

Here are the questions asked by our customers frequently. If it doesn’t help, please feel free to email us. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

1.How to start a project?
To start your project, please send us an email with the 3D CAD data (preferably in STEP or IGS format), or by filling out the “FREE QUOTE” web form. Please try to include the following information: quantity, material, colour and surface finish.

2.How fast can I get a quotation from you？
For normal projects, you can expect quotation from us within 24 hours or even shorter. For complex projects with huge amount of components, we might need 48 hours to prepare your quotation.

3.Who is responsible for my project?
Each project is assigned to a senior level Technical Sales Manager and a Project Manager, who will be there from project launch to the delivery of your parts.

4.Rapid prototyping vs rapid tooling?
When you need a small batch of parts for testing, for example 5-20 pieces, CNC machining is the most suitable way. When you need hundreds or thousands parts for marketing test, the rapid tooling is the best option. From rapid tooling, we can get all kinds of injection materials.

5.What colours can you match?
We can match any colour. We can work from a colour chip, Pantone colour or an existing production parts.

6.What are your payment terms?
(1)Prototype Payment Terms:We request 100% payment up front for new customers. Credit will be offered after a certain number of orders and approval from our accounting department.
(2)Tooling Payment Terms:50% upfront and 50% after sample approval. Sample production will begin after 50% upfront payment is made. If no approval received within 30 days of first sample shipment, the balance of 50% will be due.
(3)Product Payment Terms:Payment in advance. The moulding project will commence after receiving 100% payment up front.

APL Industrial accepts payment in three ways:
— Bank-to-bank wire transfer.
— Payoneer – We can send you a Payoneer payment request and you can pay online.
— Paypal – We can send you a PayPal invoice and you can use your PayPal account to pay.

7.Working Options?
Either provide us with target pricing and let us do the rest or simply ask us to find the best price for you!
Usually, we can get back to you within 24 hours or less, however, depending on the complexity of the part, sometimes quotes can require up to 1 or 2 days.

8.Do you sign NDAs?
Your privacy and trust are very important to us at APL Industrial. We will sign a confidentiality agreement to ensure that your intellectual property remains secret and your personal information is secure.

9.Will there be import tax/tariff for my orders?
At APL Industrial, we will declare the goods as ‘sample’ or ‘prototype’ for low quantity orders, and we will declare the value of your goods as end products, which will be much lower than costs of making prototypes or small batch samples. And we normally declare the values as samples/gifts under $30 USD.

10.What is the shipping time/cost?
Two main factors affect your shipping time and cost.
(1)The courier you choose
We have flexible plans from 2-3 days (expensive), 3-5 days(regular) to 5-12 days (economic) and sea freight (3-4 weeks).
(2)The size of your package
The larger/heavier the package is, the higher the cost will be. Please note most express charge the HIGHER value between package size and actual weight.
Anyway, we will always choose the best plan according to your needs.