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SeoulCoslab

Questions Buyers Actually Ask.

Including the ones with answers you may not want — what we cannot do, what depends on a partner rather than on us, and why we will not publish a minimum order figure.

FAQ10 questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ODM, OEM and private label?

ODM starts from the manufacturer’s existing base formula and modifies it. OEM produces your formula, which you own. Private label puts an existing finished product into your branding without formulation work. Private label is the quickest and cheapest route to stock; OEM gives you the most control and the formula itself; ODM sits between the two.

What is MOQ and what sets it?

Minimum order quantity is the smallest run a manufacturer will produce. It is the largest of several stacked minimums — bulk batch, container, closure, decoration and line changeover — and only one binds at a time. MOQ depends on the formula, packaging format and component minimums, so we quote per project.

Can I send a benchmark product?

Yes, and it is usually the fastest way to start. A product, photo or link tells us more about the texture, finish and experience you want than a page of written description.

Can you work with startups and first-time brands?

Yes. The constraint is rarely company size — it is whether your volume and your packaging route are compatible with each other. We will tell you early if they are not, and what would need to change.

Can I use my existing formula?

Usually, subject to a regulatory and feasibility check. Some ingredients permitted elsewhere are restricted in Korea, and equipment limits what can be made at a given batch size. We review before committing to a facility.

Does Seoul Coslab own the factories?

No — we hold contracted relationships with a range of Korean manufacturers and select among them per project. That is deliberate rather than a limitation: plants here specialise, so the facility that should make your sunscreen is usually not the one that should make your ampoule, and a partner we already work with can schedule a run that a cold approach cannot. Whichever partner takes your project, the product is made in Korea and carries Korean origin. Certifications belong to that partner, and we confirm the current scope for the specific site and line before production.

How long does development take?

It depends on the route and on whether packaging needs new tooling. Private label with stock components is fastest because there is no formulation cycle; a custom formula in custom packaging is slowest. We give a timeline against your specific brief rather than a headline number.

Can you develop several products at once?

Yes, and it is often more efficient. Shared bases, shared components and a single production window reduce cost and elapsed time. Sequencing matters, so we plan the set together rather than each product separately.

Can you handle export documentation and registration?

We prepare the documentation manufacturers are asked for. Registration itself is normally filed by the importer or a locally established responsible person, because most jurisdictions require a domestic entity to hold it. We cannot act as an EU or UK responsible person.

What languages can I write to you in?

Any. Your inquiry is stored exactly as you write it and read in the original language — nothing is machine-translated before a person sees it.

Manufacturing through contracted Korean partners, matched to your product — every order made in Korea. Certifications depend on the selected manufacturing partner and project requirements. This information is provided for general guidance only and is not legal or regulatory advice.

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