Lead Time
Lead Time is the total time from placing a purchase order to having inventory available to sell, including production, transit, customs, and receiving.
Why it matters for ecommerce brands
Brands often underestimate lead time by counting only production and ocean transit, then stock out while goods sit at the port or the 3PL dock.
Common questions
- What should be included in supplier lead time?
- Use the full time from placing the purchase order to inventory being available to sell, including production, transit, customs clearance, and receiving at the warehouse. Using only the production time leads to stockouts.
Cite this entry
"Lead Time." Fulfillment Lexicon, last reviewed October 16, 2026. https://fulfillment.wiki/glossary/lead-time/