China supplier RFQ — get accurate quotes from Chinese manufacturers
RFQs for Chinese manufacturers should quote FOB and EXW, state MOQ and tooling, define AQL quality control, list certifications (CE, FDA, LFGB…), and include a Mandarin summary. This generator produces all of that automatically — so you look like an experienced buyer from the first email.
Example excerpt: what suppliers receive
RFQ — Insulated Stainless Bottle 750ml · 2,000 units · FOB Ningbo
Specs (OEM): 304 stainless, matte black, laser logo. Target FOB under €3.20 at 5k units.
QC: AQL critical 0 / major 2.5 / minor 4.0. Pre-shipment inspection by buyer agent. LFGB certificate for lid required.
中文摘要: 750ml保温杯, 304不锈钢, 哑光黑, FOB宁波, 首单2000件, 请报EXW和FOB价格.
See the finished format: download a one-page sample RFQ PDF.
What a China-ready RFQ must include
1. Clear specs + OEM/ODM status
Materials, dimensions, colors, logo method, and whether the design is OEM (your design), ODM (factory design modified), or fully custom. State target price and MOQ expectations upfront.
2. Incoterms: EXW + FOB at minimum
Ask for both EXW (factory gate) and FOB (e.g. FOB Ningbo / Shenzhen) so you can compare factories fairly. Add CIF or DDP to your port if you want landed-cost comparison.
3. Quality control (AQL) + inspections
Define AQL levels (e.g. critical 0 / major 2.5 / minor 4.0), pre-shipment inspection rights, and testing requirements. Factories quote more carefully when QC is explicit.
4. Certifications + compliance
List what your market needs: CE, RoHS, REACH for the EU; FDA / CPSIA for the US; LFGB for food contact. Ask who pays for testing and whether existing certificates can be shared.
5. Packaging, lead time, samples & payment
Retail box vs. bulk, barcodes, lead time for mass production, sample cost and lead time, tooling/mould fees, and payment terms (typically 30% deposit + 70% before shipment).
6. Mandarin summary + response format
A short 中文 summary helps the sales rep forward your RFQ to engineering without translation loss. A response table (unit price by quantity tier, tooling, lead time) makes quotes comparable.
EXW vs FOB vs DDP — when to ask each
| Term | Meaning | Ask it when |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | Factory gate, you handle all freight | You have your own forwarder and want the bare factory price |
| FOB | Loaded on ship at e.g. Ningbo / Shenzhen | Always — the baseline for comparing Chinese factories fairly |
| DDP | Delivered to your door, duties paid | You want landed cost without managing customs yourself |
Common mistakes when emailing Chinese suppliers
- Sending only “what's your best price?” with no specs, quantity, or destination port.
- Asking FOB only from one factory and EXW from another — quotes become incomparable.
- Forgetting MOQ, tooling, and sample terms, then being surprised by extra fees.
- Writing a long English-only email that never reaches the engineer who prices the product.
How RFQly fixes this
Describe your product once — RFQly drafts the full structure above in English plus a Mandarin version, with a supplier checklist so every factory replies in the same format. Preview free, unlock for €9, and send the PDF to suppliers on Alibaba, Made-in-China, or direct. Learn the general process in our step-by-step guide to creating an RFQ or see the section-by-section breakdown in our RFQ template with filled example. Posting on Alibaba specifically? Follow our step-by-step Alibaba RFQ posting guide with a paste-in message template.
What a good supplier reply looks like
Because every RFQ asks for the same response format, quotes arrive comparable. One table per supplier, no follow-up rounds to align them:
| Supplier | 2k units (FOB) | 5k units (FOB) | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory A | €3.45 | €3.10 | 35 days |
| Factory B | €3.60 | €3.05 | 40 days |