What Is an RFQ (Request for Quotation)?

Quick Definition: An RFQ (Request for Quotation) is a formal document sent to manufacturers requesting a price quote for a specific product. A well-written RFQ gets you accurate, comparable quotes from multiple factories.

What to Include in Your RFQ

1. Product description: Clear, detailed description of what you need.
2. Technical specifications: Dimensions, materials, weight, colors, tolerances.
3. Quantity: Exact quantity or quantity tiers (100/500/1000 units).
4. Target price: Optional, but helps filter unrealistic suppliers.
5. Packaging requirements: Individual packaging, retail box, master carton specs.
6. Certifications needed: CE, FCC, UL, FDA, etc.
7. Delivery terms: FOB, CIF, DDP — specify your preferred Incoterm.
8. Timeline: When you need samples and when production should ship.
9. Reference images/drawings: Photos, CAD files, or sketches of what you want.

RFQ Best Practices

• Send to 5–10 factories: Enough for comparison, not so many that you can't manage responses.
• Use the same RFQ for all suppliers: Identical specs ensure apples-to-apples comparison.
• Ask for unit price breakdown: Material, labor, packaging, tooling — understand what you're paying for.
• Request sample pricing separately: Sample cost and timeline are different from bulk pricing.
• Set a response deadline: Give factories 3–5 business days to respond.

Common RFQ Mistakes

• Too vague: "I need a fan" will get wildly different quotes. Be specific about type, size, and features.
• No quantity: Factories can't quote without knowing volume. Price per unit varies dramatically with quantity.
• Ignoring MOQ: If you need 100 units but the factory's MOQ is 1,000, you're wasting both parties' time.
• Not mentioning certifications: Adding CE/UL requirements after quoting can increase costs 20–40%.