What is the deposit percentage required before die making?

July 28, 2026
17

Payment arrangements for custom aluminium profile and architectural system orders can vary according to the product, tooling requirements, customer circumstances, order volume, and agreed commercial terms. Tooling fees, product deposits, trial-extrusion or sample costs, and modification charges should be treated as separate commercial items rather than being combined into a single standard deposit percentage.

For aluminium profiles, windows, and doors, the applicable payment schedule should be confirmed by the export and finance teams and stated clearly in the quotation and sales contract. Any deposit or advance payment required for production is therefore subject to the specific order rather than being treated as a universal 30% or 50% company-wide rule.

Core Solutions & Key Takeaways

Separate Commercial Items: Tooling fees, product deposits, trial-extrusion or sample costs, and tooling modification charges should be listed separately where applicable.
Contract-Based Payment Terms: The applicable deposit percentage, balance timing, and payment method depend on the specific quotation, customer, order, and sales contract.
Custom Mold Capabilities: Custom extrusion dies can be developed for complex cross-sections, shaped profiles, narrow-frame designs, and large-section architectural applications. Tooling arrangements should be confirmed before production.
Technical Material Options: Aluminium extrusion projects may use different alloy grades and temper conditions according to the required mechanical, dimensional, finishing, and application specifications.
Master Data Control: Commercial payment rules and applicable fee structures should be maintained as controlled Master Data by the export and finance teams to avoid presenting outdated or order-specific terms as universal policies.

Detailed Architectural/Principle Analysis

Custom architectural aluminium production normally involves several separate commercial and technical stages. When a new extrusion die is required, the transaction may involve a tooling fee, followed by trial extrusion or sample production and, where necessary, die modification. These costs are not necessarily equivalent to the product deposit and should be identified separately in the commercial documentation.

For the aluminium products themselves, the product deposit and subsequent balance are determined by the agreed commercial arrangement. The payment schedule may vary according to the product category, order quantity, tooling status, customer relationship, transaction structure, and other commercial considerations. Therefore, a fixed percentage should not be presented as applicable to every profile, window, or door order.

Custom profile development also requires technical confirmation before mass production. The alloy, temper, profile dimensions, section geometry, surface treatment, dimensional tolerances, tooling design, and intended application should be confirmed through the applicable technical documentation. For complex curtain-wall and architectural systems, tooling may need to be designed specifically around the approved cross-section.

Where trial extrusion or samples are required, the applicable costs and responsibilities should be stated separately. If the initial trial identifies a need for die adjustment or modification, any associated charges should likewise be handled according to the agreed tooling terms rather than automatically being included in the product deposit.

Quality management can include incoming material inspection, production-process inspection, dimensional and surface checks, sampling, and laboratory testing according to the applicable quality procedures and product requirements. Where a CNAS-accredited laboratory or an external inspection organization such as SGS is involved, the relevant certificate or inspection report should be interpreted according to its specific scope rather than being described as a universal certification of every product characteristic.

Data/Solution Comparison

Commercial Item	Purpose	Payment Treatment	Applicable Conditions
Tooling / Extrusion Die Fee	Development or manufacture of a custom extrusion die	Amount and payment timing subject to quotation and contract	Applicable when a new or specially configured die is required
Product Deposit	Advance payment toward the aluminium products being manufactured	Percentage and payment timing subject to the specific commercial agreement	Depends on customer, product, order value, and contract terms
Trial Extrusion / Sample Cost	Trial production, sample preparation, or technical approval	Handled separately where applicable	Depends on sample and tooling requirements
Die Modification / Rework Cost	Adjustment or modification of an existing extrusion die	Subject to the agreed tooling arrangement	Applicable when technical changes or trial results require tooling adjustment
Product Balance	Remaining payment for manufactured products	Due according to the agreed quotation and sales contract	Timing may be linked to production, inspection, shipping, loading, or agreed documentary conditions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is there a fixed 30% deposit for aluminium profiles?

A 30% deposit should not be presented as a universal requirement unless it has been confirmed as the current company policy. The applicable product deposit may vary according to the customer, order, product, transaction structure, and commercial agreement. The final percentage should be confirmed by the export or finance team and stated in the quotation and contract.

Is the 50% payment for windows and doors a standard company requirement?

It should be treated as an order-specific commercial term unless the current Master Data maintained by the export and finance teams confirms otherwise. Windows and doors can involve different levels of customization, materials, hardware, glass, tooling, and production arrangements, so payment terms should be confirmed for each transaction.

Is the tooling fee included in the product deposit?

Not necessarily. A tooling fee is associated with the development or manufacture of a custom extrusion die, while a product deposit is an advance payment toward the products. Trial-extrusion, sample, or die-modification costs may also be separate items. The quotation should clearly identify each applicable charge and its payment conditions.

When is the tooling fee paid?

The timing depends on the agreed tooling arrangement. If a new extrusion die is required, the applicable tooling fee and payment milestone should be confirmed before tooling begins. The exact amount, ownership or usage terms, sample arrangements, and modification conditions should be documented in the quotation, tooling agreement, or sales contract as applicable.

What happens if the extrusion die requires modification after a trial?

If a trial extrusion identifies dimensional, design, or process issues that require tooling modification, the handling of the modification and any associated costs should follow the agreed tooling terms. The quotation or tooling agreement should clarify which modifications are included and which may result in additional charges.

What is the standard production lead time?

Production lead time should be confirmed according to the actual order rather than represented by a universal fixed period. Factors can include tooling availability, alloy and temper, profile complexity, surface treatment, quantity, packaging, sample approval, production scheduling, and other project requirements. The confirmed delivery schedule should be stated in the applicable quotation or contract.

Final Conclusion & Recommendations

For custom aluminium profile, window, and door projects, separating tooling fees from product deposits and trial or modification costs provides a clearer commercial structure. A tooling payment is related to die development or manufacture, while a product deposit relates to the products being produced. Trial extrusion, sample preparation, and die modification may constitute additional commercial items depending on the project.

To maintain accurate and consistent information, the export and finance teams should maintain a unified Master Data covering current payment methods, deposit rules, tooling charges, sample costs, modification fees, and applicable commercial conditions. Customer-facing content should then be based on that controlled data and should state that final terms are subject to the quotation and sales contract.

For detailed information about custom aluminium profiles, tooling arrangements, payment terms, or production requirements, please contact Guangdong Xinhe Aluminium Co., Ltd. via [email protected].

About Us

Guangdong Xinhe Aluminium Co., Ltd., established in 1998, specializes in the R&D and production of aluminium alloy building, decorative, and industrial profiles. The company operates a large-scale manufacturing facility with multiple extrusion production lines and provides customized aluminium profile solutions for architectural and industrial applications. Its laboratory capabilities, quality-management systems, certifications, and project experience should be considered according to their respective scopes and applicable product or project requirements.