China Plastic Injection Molding Cost Guide 2026

Cost Breakdown Overview

Plastic injection molding costs in China typically break down into three main components: the mold itself, the per-part production cost, and additional fees (materials, shipping, testing). Understanding each will help you get accurate quotes.

1. Mold Cost (Tooling)

Mold Type	Price Range (USD)	Typical Lead Time
Prototype / Soft Tooling (Aluminum)	$800 - $3,000	2-4 weeks
Production Mold - Simple (Standard P20 Steel)	$3,000 - $8,000	4-6 weeks
Production Mold - Medium (Hardened Steel)	$8,000 - $20,000	6-8 weeks
Production Mold - Complex (Multi-cavity / Unscrewing)	$20,000 - $60,000+	8-12 weeks
Family Mold / Two-color Mold	$15,000 - $50,000	8-12 weeks

Chinese mold prices are typically 30-50% lower than Western European or North American shops for comparable quality.

2. Per-Part Production Cost

Material	Cost per kg (USD)	Molding Cycle (approx)
ABS	$1.50 - $2.50	20-35 sec
PP	$1.00 - $1.80	15-30 sec
PC	$2.50 - $4.00	25-45 sec
Nylon (PA6+GF30)	$2.80 - $4.50	25-50 sec
TPE/TPR	$3.00 - $5.00	20-40 sec

Hidden Costs to Watch For

• Mold trial fee: $200-500 per trial, typically 2-3 trials needed
• Sample shipping: DHL/FedEx samples can cost $50-200 per shipment
• Surface finish / texture: Texturing (EDM) adds $300-800 to mold cost
• Custom color matching: Pantone matching adds $150-300
• Inspection reports: CMM reports, material certificates — $100-300 extra

How to Negotiate with Chinese Mold Makers

• Get 3-5 quotes — a spread of 40%+ is common
• Ask about steel grade — cheap mold using S50C vs. quality P20/H13 makes a big difference
• Clarify what's included — does price cover mold design, trial shots, T1 samples?
• Discuss payment terms — typical is T/T 30% deposit, 40% after T1 sample approval, 30% before shipment
• Visit if possible — mold quality inspection on site before payment is a common practice

Typical Total Project Cost Examples

Project	Mold Cost	Per Part Cost	Annual Quantity	Total Year 1
Small ABS housing (10g)	$4,500	$0.08	100,000	$12,500
PP container (50g)	$6,000	$0.25	200,000	$56,000
Nylon gear (30g)	$8,500	$0.35	50,000	$26,000