PRACTICAL CHINA SOURCING
What should you send to get a comparable China supplier quote?
The short answer
Send six essentials: product and intended use, quantity, budget, destination, timing and mandatory specifications. Use the same brief for every candidate. State whether your budget covers goods only or the whole project, and mark anything still unknown rather than inventing a number.
The six details that make a quote useful
| Detail | What to include |
|---|---|
| Product | Reference, intended use, materials, size and acceptable variations |
| Quantity | Units by SKU or variant, plus expected repeat volume if known |
| Budget | Target unit price or range; goods-only or whole-project budget |
| Destination | Country and, when known, destination port |
| Timing | When the goods are needed and any fixed launch date |
| Must-haves | Specifications, packaging, labeling and known testing or certification requirements |
What if you do not know every specification yet?
Separate confirmed requirements, preferences and questions. For example, say that the destination is confirmed but packaging dimensions still need to be agreed. A reference link or photo helps explain the product but should not silently replace written specifications. Avoid sharing confidential designs before the handling scope is agreed.
A brief you can copy and complete
Replace the brackets with your requirements. Write “not yet confirmed” where information is missing. This is a preparation template; it does not submit an inquiry or commission a supplier search.
- Business use and sales channel: [ ]. Product reference and mandatory specifications: [ ]. Acceptable alternatives: [ ].
- Quantity: [ ] pieces or sets per SKU. If a set, list every component and its quantity: [ ].
- Budget and currency: [ ]. This covers [goods only / the whole project].
- Destination country and city or port: [ ]. Required arrival date: [ ]. Is that date fixed or flexible? [ ].
- Packaging, logo and labeling: [ ]. Known testing or certification requirements: [ ]. Requirements still to confirm and responsible party: [ ].
- Please quote the exact specification and quantity above. State the currency, price per piece or set, MOQ, sample and tooling costs, production lead time, and quote validity.
- Please identify the goods seller, price basis and named handover location. List included and excluded costs, and flag any specification that your offer cannot meet.
Example: compare a piece price with a set price
These invented numbers illustrate a comparison, not supplier offers. Suppose one set contains two identical pieces and the requirement is 100 sets. Compare equivalent quantities before considering freight, service fees or other excluded costs.
- Offer B appears US$200 lower for the stated goods quantity. It is only a comparable saving if the specifications and price basis also match; neither amount is a confirmed landed cost.
| Illustrative offer | Equivalent goods cost for 100 sets | Still to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| A: US$10 per piece; MOQ 200 pieces | 200 pieces × US$10 = US$2,000 | Materials, packaging, price basis and exclusions |
| B: US$18 per two-piece set; MOQ 100 sets | 100 sets × US$18 = US$1,800 | The same specifications and included costs |
Put competing quotes on one comparison sheet
A quote is not a confirmed total project cost when freight, duties, tax, tests or other required costs are still unknown. Ask for clarification before treating the cheapest visible unit price as the best option.
- Match SKU, specification, quantity and unit of measure.
- Record price, currency and what the quoted price includes.
- Keep MOQ, sample cost, tooling and production lead time visible.
- List missing answers and third-party costs separately.
- Compare goods price and sourcing-service fees as separate amounts.
What happens after you send the brief?
TruNexo first reviews project fit, feasibility, destination and possible next scope. The free check does not include supplier names, negotiation or a sourcing report. Supplier research is US$100 per confirmed product brief, and any paid work needs a separately accepted written scope and quotation.
Who is this process for?
Business buyers with a defined product, realistic quantity, genuine purchasing purpose and the ability to execute a B2B purchase. This includes importers, wholesalers, distributors, ecommerce sellers and other corporate buyers. Projects are reviewed individually; a broad idea without a purchasing brief is not yet ready for a supplier search.
Common questions
Can I start with a product photo?
Yes, as a reference. Add intended use, quantity, destination and mandatory specifications so the product is not defined by the photo alone.
Should I put freight and service fees inside the goods budget?
State clearly what your budget includes. Compare the goods price and TruNexo service fee separately. Identify which third-party costs are included in the accepted written scope and which are additional.
Does sending a brief create a paid engagement?
No. It starts an inquiry. Paid work begins only after the relevant requirements are completed and both sides accept a written scope and quotation.