Summary: a service counter is a transaction desk, not a staff desk. The three sizes ordered most often are a 2400×1100×750 mm teller counter with a 1050–1100 mm transaction top, a 1600×800×750 mm customer-service desk, and a 1400×700×750 mm consultation table. This guide gives factory FOB prices, material specs, a counter-count formula for public service halls, and the custom ordering timeline.
Teller counter vs customer-service desk vs reception desk
A teller counter separates officer and customer with a transaction panel, so the working top and the transaction top sit at two levels. A customer-service desk stays at one level because both sides sit down to complete forms. A reception desk is judged by its front facade, because it is the first object a visitor sees. The common procurement mistake is ordering a reception desk for a teller position: the officer ends up standing, or the customer can see the monitor.
| Type | Size (mm) | Main material | MOQ | FOB price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teller counter, 2 positions | 2400×1100×750; transaction top 1100 | 25 mm HPL, steel frame, optional 5 mm glass | 5 pcs | 260–420 |
| Teller counter, 3 positions | 3600×1100×750 | 25 mm HPL, 1200 mm privacy panel | 5 pcs | 380–560 |
| Customer-service desk | 1600×800×750 | 25 mm HPL, modesty panel | 5 pcs | 120–180 |
| Consultation table | 1400×700×750 | 18 mm HPL, steel legs | 5 pcs | 85–130 |
| Modular hall counter (per module) | 1200×700×750 | HPL, bolted joints, knock-down | 10 modules | 90–140 |
| Back counter | 1400×600×750 | 18 mm HPL, 3 lockable drawers | 5 pcs | 70–110 |
FOB Foshan per unit, excluding freight and import duty. Ranges move with final size, drawer count, glass and finish.
Specification numbers buyers should lock down
- Working top: 750 mm from floor (±10 mm).
- Transaction top: 1050–1100 mm from floor, 250–300 mm deep.
- Privacy panel: 1200 mm from floor, hides screen and documents.
- Staff side depth: 600–700 mm; knee space at least 600 mm with no stretcher.
- Transaction slot: 300×100 mm with sliding cover, or a rotating tray for higher-risk counters.
- Position pitch: 800–900 mm between positions.
- Rear clearance: 900 mm for staff circulation; cable trough with 2 sockets and 1 LAN point per position.
How many counters does a service hall need?
Counters required = peak visitors per hour ÷ 12–15 transactions per counter per hour. An administrative transaction takes 4–6 minutes, so one counter realistically serves 10–15 visitors per hour; add a 20–30% buffer. A hall with 1,000 visitors a day and a 180-person peak hour typically needs 1 information desk, 2 registration desks, 8 teller positions (four 2-position counters), 2 consultation tables and 3 back-office desks — 16 units in total.
Materials that survive 8–10 hours a day
Standard build: 18 mm E1 particle board or MDF, 0.8 mm HPL with 2 mm PVC edge banding, 40×40×1.2 mm steel hollow section, 60–80 micron powder coating, steel drawer runners and a master key. Upgrades that pay back in public service areas: E0 board or plywood in humid locations, 1.5 mm steel for counters longer than 3 m, 5 mm tempered glass on the transaction panel, and dual-lock cash drawers.
Ordering timeline
- Brief and shop drawing: 3–5 working days.
- Material and colour approval: 2–3 days with HPL or veneer samples.
- Production: 25–35 days, including a trial assembly for glass counters.
- QC and knock-down packing: 2 days; a 2400 mm counter ships in 4–6 cartons.
- Sea freight: 18–25 days from Foshan/Shekou to Tanjung Priok.
- Installation: 1–2 days per 10 counters.
Prices, MOQ and cost control
BG Office Furniture (Foshan BG Office Furniture Co., Ltd., USCC 91440606MA4UKCYD6A, established 2015, 10,000 m² ISO 9001 factory, exports to 50+ countries) builds counters from shop drawings, not only from a fixed catalogue. MOQ is 5 pcs per model, and counters can be consolidated with staff desks, workstations and filing cabinets in a mixed 20ft (26–29 CBM) or 40HQ (64–68 CBM) container. Form E under ACFTA supports the 0% preferential import duty, provided the HS code and documents match.
FAQ
What is the standard teller counter height?
750 mm working top and 1050–1100 mm transaction top from the floor.
Can size, colour and logo be customised?
Yes. Production follows shop drawings, MOQ 5 pcs per model, with acrylic plaque, screen print or engraved logo.
What is the lead time?
25–35 days production after material approval, plus 18–25 days sea freight to Jakarta.
Need a shop drawing and quotation? Send room dimensions, position count and reference images via the contact page or email sales001@fsbige.com (Tel/WeChat +86-18928562556). Browse reception and counter desks or the full office furniture catalogue.