Litter Boxes, Self-Cleaning Units & Accessories
Self-cleaning · Hooded · Top-entry · Litter accessories
Litter boxes are the largest single plastic moulded item in the cat category and the one where freight cost decides your margin, because they ship mostly air. We supply open, hooded and top-entry boxes in PP, and self-cleaning rake and drum units with safety sensors. Nesting design is worth asking about early: a box that nests three-deep halves the container you need.
A self-cleaning box is a motor, a sensor array and a rake inside a plastic shell. The failure modes are known: the sensor misses a cat entering, the rake jams on clumping litter, or the motor burns out in a humid bathroom. Ask for the cycle count on the motor and the sensor logic, and ask what the unit does when it detects a weight change mid-cycle.
For non-electronic boxes, the design questions are simpler but commercially important. Height of the entry lip, hood or no hood, top-entry for dogs that raid the box, and how the box nests for shipping. We quote both assembled and knock-down, because the freight difference on a 40 HQ container is often larger than the unit price difference.
What we supply
Self-cleaning units
- ›Rake-style automatic boxes with weight and infrared sensors
- ›Drum-rotation units for larger cats, up to 8 kg
- ›App-connected models with waste-level and cycle logs
- ›Odour control with carbon filters and sealed waste drawers
Manual boxes
- ›Open high-sided boxes for kittens and seniors
- ›Hooded boxes with carbon filter and swinging door
- ›Top-entry boxes for dogs that eat litter
- ›Stainless steel pans for odour-sensitive households
Accessories
- ›Honeycomb and mesh litter-trapping mats
- ›Metal and plastic scoops, litter deodorisers
- ›Liners sized to standard pan dimensions
- ›Replacement filters, rakes and drive belts for self-cleaning units
Specifications that decide the price
| Type | Mechanism | Power | Freight profile | Typical FOB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open box | None | None | Nests 3-deep | US$1.20–2.80 |
| Hooded box | None | None | Knock-down | US$4–8 |
| Rake self-cleaning | Rake + sensors | Mains adapter | Assembled, bulky | US$28–48 |
| Drum self-cleaning | Rotating drum | Mains adapter | Assembled, very bulky | US$55–95 |
MOQ and lead time
| Item | MOQ | Lead time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open or hooded box | 300 pcs | 20–25 days | Colour from 500 |
| Litter mat | 500 pcs | 20–25 days | Size and colour options |
| Rake self-cleaning | 500 pcs | 35–45 days | CE / FCC for the adapter |
| Drum self-cleaning, new mould | 1,500 pcs | 70–90 days | Mould US$15,000–30,000 |
Lead times run from artwork or sample approval, not from the enquiry. Add two to five weeks for sea freight, and two to four days for air.
What can be customised
- ✓Colour matching to your brand palette on PP parts.
- ✓Moulded logo on the lid or the side wall, from 500 pcs.
- ✓Nesting or knock-down design review before the order, to cut freight.
- ✓Retail carton with assembly diagram and a litter-type compatibility note.
- ✓Bundling: box plus mat plus scoop under one SKU.
Certification and testing
- §CE and RoHS for the adapter and motor on self-cleaning units.
- §Sensor safety test report: no cycle start with weight over 1 kg in the entry zone.
- §REACH SVHC and phthalate-free declaration on the PP.
- §Recycled-content statement if you intend to make that claim on pack.
- §Carton drop and compression test for container loading.
Reports are issued per model and per material. A certificate for a similar product does not cover a different mould, module or fabric.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOQ for a custom litter box? +
300 pieces for a standard open or hooded box and 500 for a colour match. Self-cleaning units start at 500, and a new drum mould needs 1,500 pieces and about 80 days.
How do I reduce freight on bulky boxes? +
Ask for the nesting ratio first — a box that nests three-deep uses a third of the container volume. Knock-down hooded designs cut it further. On a 40 HQ the difference in freight per unit often exceeds the unit price difference between suppliers.
Are self-cleaning boxes safe for kittens? +
Only with a weight threshold above the kitten weight and a sensor that stops the cycle when it detects entry. Ask for the safety test report and the weight threshold; under 1 kg, a manual box is the honest recommendation.
Which litter works with a rake unit? +
Clumping clay and tofu litter in the 0.5–3 mm range. Crystal litter and very fine sand jam the rake. We send a compatibility note with every unit and print it on the carton.
Can I stock the filters and rakes as spare parts? +
Yes, and you should. Carbon filters, rakes and drive belts are the parts that need replacing, and they carry a better margin than the box. We can pack them under your SKU from 1,000 pieces per part.
Related categories
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Photos, a specification or a link is enough to start. Quotation within 24 hours, with MOQ, lead time and the certification position stated.