Comparison
Ex-Stock vs Indent Auto Parts: Which to Choose
Short answer: Use ex-stock for genuinely urgent, fast-moving service parts to cut downtime; use indent for plannable demand consolidated into one shipment to cut freight cost. Most orders mix both.
Updated 1 June 2026
What is the difference between ex-stock and indent?
Ex-stock parts ship immediately from available stock — ideal for urgent downtime. Indent parts are ordered and planned into a consolidated shipment — ideal for predictable demand where freight cost matters more than speed.
When should I choose each?
Flag urgent lines for ex-stock; place the rest on indent and consolidate. This avoids paying air freight on a whole order when only a few lines are truly urgent. See ex-stock parts and indent ordering.
How to optimise landed cost
Separate urgent from plannable lines in your RFQ, agree a shipment window, and consolidate. Read how consolidation reduces cost.
Frequently asked questions
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