Inventory planning starts with lead time. Know your supplier production time, freight time, customs clearance time, and prep center processing time. Add these together to get your total order lead time.
Set a reorder point based on lead time demand. If you sell 100 units per week and your total lead time is 8 weeks, your reorder point is 800 units — the inventory level at which you must place a new order.
Add a safety stock buffer for demand variability and supply chain disruptions. A 2–3 week buffer is standard for stable products. High-velocity or seasonal products may need more.
Review your reorder points quarterly. Lead times, demand rates, and seasonal patterns change. An inventory plan built on 12-month-old assumptions creates stockouts in the channels that matter most.