1. What is Alibaba RFQ?
Alibaba's RFQ (Request for Quotation) service lets buyers quickly and easily get quotes for almost any product β usually within a day or two. This can save you countless hours because you don't have to build your own shortlist and contact suppliers one by one.
In short, there are two ways to contact suppliers:
- The first is that you pick a product and contact suppliers one by one with a unique message you send to selected suppliers;
- Or suppliers from Alibaba contact you based on your request.
In this article, we explain what you need to know before you send an RFQ on Alibaba.com, and also how to write the right message to an individual supplier.
2. How to write the right message to a Chinese supplier
It's worth saying that not all suppliers you write to will reply, especially if your message isn't well written. However, to increase your chances of getting a response, you need to format your message properly when contacting them.
Writing a proper message can help you get the responses you're looking for. In every message, you need to be detailed and clear enough so the supplier understands you. Chinese manufacturers never give more information than what they're asked for, so it's up to you to plan out your message before you even think about contacting suppliers.
This is, at least compared to later stages, the easy and fun part. Here's an example of a properly formatted message:
Of course, request quantities based on your needs. A message formatted this way is clear and precise enough for suppliers to notice you and see you as a serious buyer.
That increases your chances that the supplier will contact you!
Even the most vague product search online can result in hundreds of suppliers, and it can take days to contact all of them! However, selecting and contacting all suppliers that enter your shortlist can take quite a while.
What if you could flip the process and invite them to contact you? That's the idea Alibaba created with its RFQ service.
3. How Alibaba RFQ works
Alibaba.com is the world's largest supplier catalog for products. Basically, here you provide information about the product you're interested in, and suppliers will send you quotes based on your request.
4. How to submit an Alibaba RFQ request?
First, you need to go to the page rfq.alibaba.com. From here you can access the RFQ form and fill in the required fields:
- Product name
- Quantity (for example, 500 units)
- Specifications
- File attachments (for example, design files)
- Requested payment terms, shipping terms, and other ordering conditions
After you fill out the form, just click Submit RFQ. Alibaba then submits your quotation request to selected suppliers. Keep in mind that the product quotes you receive will be based on the specifications.
In quotes, you always get what you specify. If you don't include important specifications, such as materials, dimensions, and other technical details β the quotes you get can be useless. You should also be precise about whether the supplier should quote based on your attached design (OEM) or ready-made products from their own brand.
Is submitting an RFQ free?
Yes, Alibaba RFQ is free to use. However, you can pay a small extra amount of about $2β3 to speed up the response process and increase the number of quotes. This is still in Alibaba's experimentation phase and changes over time, so check on Alibaba if you're interested in more details on whether RFQ payment exists.
Do all suppliers on Alibaba respond to your RFQ?
No, it's up to each supplier whether they want to submit a quote via the RFQ service or not. Many suppliers don't respond to RFQ requests, while for some it's their core strategy for attracting customers.
Our recommendation is to use Alibaba RFQ as one of your sourcing strategies, not as the only method for researching suppliers and getting quotes. In fact, it's a good starting point. You get quotes from Alibaba suppliers, and then ask us as an agent to try to find better, more favorable, cheaper options.
5. Common errors and misunderstandings
What to watch for when you get a quote from an Alibaba supplier?
You need to make sure the supplier calculated the product price based on your specifications. Some suppliers list "reference prices" that aren't based on the specifications given in your RFQ. Verify and ask them to reconfirm all specifications by sending an additional email addressed only to them.
Summary of the basic what should matter to you:
- Specifications
- Price
- MOQ β minimum order quantity you must order
- Sample production cost
How do I know if I'm being offered a "good price"?
Assuming you've listed all the key technical specifications, compliance requirements, quantity, and Incoterms β you'll probably get fairly accurate prices. However, one quote isn't enough to determine the real market price. Instead, you need to include at least 3 to 4 suppliers in your RFQ decision process.
Assuming you're looking for a certain product type like electronics, children's products, or food-contact materials, you'll include only those suppliers who can meet the required market standards.
Quotes with below-average prices
As mentioned earlier, be prepared to receive at least one or two quotes that are above or below average. In most cases, the lowest price can be explained by one or more of the following reasons:
- The product isn't based on your specifications
- The supplier quoted based on a larger quantity than their competitors
- The supplier quoted an EXW price
Product prices on Alibaba
We often get questions from clients whether they should trust the prices suppliers post on Alibaba. Our answer is almost always NO.
As explained in this article, price doesn't matter if you don't know what it's based on. Besides, the price ranges suppliers post on Alibaba tend to be very wide β much wider than the actual price range, which is largely based on order quantity.
The problem isn't Alibaba, but the suppliers themselves since they don't take this seriously β because they work on OEM principles.
Material and component prices can change weekly. Updating prices for hundreds of ODM products takes too much time for an average manufacturer. However, the so-called cheaper suppliers on Alibaba are on average no better or worse than other suppliers.
Should I give my target price when requesting a quote?
Yes, you're free to share your target price, but only after careful consideration. The unit price must be based on previous research data, for example, quotes for a similar product or an outdated quote β or, based on your own margin calculations. Manufacturers have little room to lower prices, so don't expect them to become generous just because you give them an unrealistically low target price.
That's not a smart tactic.
You don't achieve anything by setting an artificially low target price, except disqualifying qualified suppliers. In the end, you always get what you pay for, and your business is always better off if you focus on increasing profit margins, not killing a few cents per unit price by lowering product quality.
6. How to know if your RFQ was successful?
The RFQ service should be just your introduction to selecting a manufacturer. After submitting an RFQ:
- You wait for quotes from suppliers (usually 1β2 days)
- You compare quotes and pick the 2β3 most interesting ones
- You request samples from the selected suppliers
- You check the quality of the samples
- If you're satisfied, you continue negotiating and ordering
7. What's the next step?
It's still too early to decide on one supplier, and it's even worse to order goods right away. Instead, you should pick at least 2β3 suppliers to continue the conversation with and order samples from them. Why? Because price won't be decisive if they can't make your product.
Additional checks
In addition, you should perform additional supplier checks:
- Can they meet your market's standards?
- Do they have some kind of quality management system?
- Do they have a social compliance certificate? Do they respect workers' freedom of movement, do employees have regular wages, do they have health insurance, and is there workplace safety and health that's respected, as well as compliance with local laws, and so on?
- What is their registered capital?
Answers to many of these questions can be found if you visit their page on Alibaba. Keep in mind that Alibaba allows only verified suppliers to submit quotes using their RFQ service β but it's up to you to decide if they're suitable for cooperation.
Can Alibaba guarantee I'll get high-quality products?
Alibaba in no capacity acts as a quality guarantee for products. Alibaba.com doesn't offer any form of insurance. Keep in mind that Alibaba is just a marketplace. Alibaba doesn't act as a seller or exporter of products, so Alibaba doesn't monitor communication between buyers and suppliers. Gold suppliers, who are considered the best suppliers, must pass only certain checks. For example, they must have a valid business license and be registered. Know that it's exclusively on YOU, and it's your responsibility as a buyer to create clear product specifications, and then prepare and implement a quality assurance plan that you can use to identify and correct potential product quality defects.
Can a supplier increase prices after submitting an RFQ?
Yes, a supplier isn't obligated to the price they initially gave. In fact, price increases are inevitable as a result of rising material and transport costs, wage increases, and currency fluctuations. In the best case, the quoted price is valid for a month or two. Further, keep in mind that the quoted price is based only on the data you specify when creating the RFQ on Alibaba.com. Don't be surprised if they later give you higher prices if you don't specify important information about standards, materials, functions, or design.
Frequently asked questions about Alibaba RFQ
Is using Alibaba RFQ free?
Yes, Alibaba RFQ is free to use. However, you can pay a small extra amount (about $2β3) to speed up the response process and increase the number of quotes.
Do all suppliers on Alibaba respond to my RFQ?
No, it's up to each supplier whether they want to submit a quote via the RFQ service. Many suppliers don't respond to RFQ requests, while for some it's their core strategy for attracting customers.
How do I know if my RFQ was successful?
A successful RFQ will bring you 3β4 relevant quotes within 1β2 days. If you get quotes without detailed specifications, bad terms, or an unrealistically low price, your RFQ may not have been successful.
Should I give my target price in the RFQ?
Yes, you can share your target price, but only after careful consideration. Setting an artificially low target price can disqualify qualified suppliers.
Does Alibaba guarantee the quality of products from suppliers who respond to RFQ?
No, Alibaba doesn't act as a quality guarantor. It's up to the buyer to determine if the supplier is qualified and if they can meet your quality requirements.
More articles on Alibaba and AliExpress
If you want to move from an overview of the Alibaba ecosystem to concrete steps, experiences, and safe buying, check out these articles:
Overview
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Alibaba Group
Overview of the Alibaba ecosystem: Alibaba.com (B2B), AliExpress, 1688, Taobao, Tmall, and key differences. -
Alibaba β pros and cons
Advantages, risks, and when Alibaba is the best solution for your business.
Buying and safety
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How to buy from Alibaba
Stepβbyβstep: registration, search, communication, samples, negotiation, ordering, and payment. -
Tips for safe buying on Alibaba
How to protect yourself: Trade Assurance, supplier verification, red flags, and preβshipment inspection. -
Red flags when buying on Alibaba
The most common pitfalls, companies disappearing from the platform, and how not to lose your goods and money. -
Creating a Request for Quotation (RFQ)
How to write a good RFQ, filter quotes, and compare multiple suppliers at once. -
Alibaba experiences
Our Alibaba experience as buyers and why we don't use it. -
Selling on Alibaba β an inside look
If you want to see how Alibaba looks from the seller's side, read about our experience on Alibaba.
AliExpress
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AliExpress β basics
How AliExpress works, when to use it instead of Alibaba, and how to test products in small quantities. -
AliExpress buyer protection
Buyer Protection, opening a dispute, refunds, and tips for safe buying.
Supplier Guide
Finding and verifying suppliers
How to systematically find suppliers and check whether theyβre truly reliable before you start working together.
How to choose a manufacturer in China
Practical criteria for choosing a factory once youβve narrowed down your supplier list.
The Most Cost-Effective Way to Buy from China
Compare three buying options - cheap(B2C), cheaper(bulk on Alibaba), and most cost-effective(local factories + China agent).
How to Negotiate with Chinese Suppliers
A practical guide to negotiating with Chinese suppliers, with a focus on preparation, cooperation terms, and getting the right price.
MOQ and hidden import costs
What MOQ means, how to negotiate it, and which additional costs you should plan for before ordering.
Choosing Products to Import from China
Go back to our guides on finding profitable products and learn which regions of China specialize in different product categories.
β Back to Product SelectionCustoms and Import Regulations
Once you've selected a supplier, the next step is understanding HS codes, customs duties, product origin requirements, and the paperwork needed for importing.
Continue to Customs βBack to: β China Supplier Guides
Back to: β China Sourcing Hub