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Intent of consigning parts

Why and when to consign parts and why you should try not to

At CircuitHub, we strive to streamline PCB production by sourcing components efficiently. Part consignments are an option, but they come with trade-offs. In most cases, consigning parts increases lead time and production costs because it introduces additional complexity.

When we source parts directly from trusted vendors, they arrive on time, in standardised packaging, and with clear labeling—making them easy to identify and process. In contrast, consigned parts require manual handling, verification, and tracking, which slows down production and increases costs.

For this reason, we strongly recommend minimising part consignments and only using them in the following special cases:

  • The part is not recognized by our system
    • If our system does not support the part, consigning it may be necessary.
  • It's a rare or hard-to-source component
    • If a critical part is difficult to procure through standard vendors, consigning may be the only solution.
  • The part is globally out of stock
    • If the component is unavailable on the market and your design depends on it, consigning it may be unavoidable.
    • However, if a suitable alternative exists, we strongly recommend switching to the available replacement.
  • You have a vendor-specific discount
    • If you have a special agreement with a vendor that provides a significant discount, consigning the part may be cost-effective.
    • However, keep in mind that the additional handling costs of consigned parts may offset these savings.

Avoid consigning parts as much as possible as they:

  • Increases production time – Extra steps for verification, tracking, and handling
  • Raises costs – Manual processing makes consigned parts more expensive to use
  • Complicates quality control – Sourced parts from vendors follow strict standards, while consigned parts require additional checks

For faster, cost-effective PCB assembly, we recommend using parts from approved vendors whenever possible. Consign parts only when absolutely necessary to minimize disruptions and optimize efficiency.