How to Write a Faucet RFQ That Gets Accurate Quotations

The quality of the quotations you receive depends on the quality of the request you send. A one-line message such as “please send your price list” gets a generic price list. A clear request for quotation (RFQ) gets prices you can compare, fewer clarification rounds, and a faster path to samples. It also tells the factory that you are a serious buyer, which usually means a more careful answer.

This guide explains what to put in a faucet and shower RFQ and ends with a template you can copy.

1. Who you are and what you sell

Start with two or three sentences about your business: the type of company (distributor, wholesaler, retailer, contractor, brand owner), the countries you sell in, and the customers you sell to – for example plumbers and builders’ merchants, online retail, or hotel projects. This helps the factory suggest the right models and price level, and is the first thing an export team looks at when deciding how much time to spend on a request.

2. The products

List each product separately, one line per model. For each line include:

• the factory model number if you have one, or a reference photo or link;
• the product type – basin, wall-mounted basin, kitchen, bath, concealed shower, exposed shower, shower system;
• the finish, for example chrome, brushed nickel, brushed gold, gunmetal or matte black;
• anything you need changed from the standard model, such as a different handle, spout height or hose length.

If you are not sure which finish process you need, the guide to chrome plating, PVD and powder coating explains the differences. For showers, state whether you need concealed or exposed mixers and how many outlets – see concealed vs exposed shower mixers.

3. Quantities

Give the quantity per model and per finish for the first order, and your expected annual volume. Prices for faucets depend heavily on quantity per finish, because plating and PVD are run in batches. If you are still deciding, give a realistic range rather than leaving it blank – “200 to 500 pieces per model” is far more useful than “small quantity”.

4. Market and certification

State the destination country and any certification or water-efficiency requirement, such as cUPC, WRAS, WaterMark or WELS. This is the item buyers most often forget, and the one that changes the price most, because it can change the brass alloy, the cartridge and the aerator. The certification by market reference lists the main requirements.

5. Technical requirements

Only include what matters to you, but be specific when it does:

• body material (brass, stainless steel) and any lead-free requirement;
• cartridge size or brand;
• maximum flow rate;
• connection threads and hose length;
• for concealed products: whether the valve body is included, and the wall depth it must fit.

6. Branding and packaging

Say whether you need a logo on the product (laser engraving, printing or a logo on the handle), a logo or full design on the box, or plain neutral packaging. Include barcode, label and manual language requirements, and whether you need retail packaging or plain export cartons.

7. Commercial terms

• the incoterm you want the price quoted on, such as FOB Chinese port or CIF your port;
• your destination port;
• whether you need samples first, and how many;
• your target delivery date, if you have one.

8. Ask for what you need back

Ask for the quotation to include, per model: unit price, MOQ per finish, sample cost and lead time, production lead time, carton dimensions, units per carton and gross weight. With these figures you can calculate freight and landed cost, and compare quotations from different factories on equal terms.

RFQ template

Common mistakes

• Asking for the “best price” without a specification. You will get a low price for a light product, and the comparison will be meaningless.
• Sending one quantity for the whole range. MOQ and price are set per model and finish.
• Leaving certification to later. Discovering after sampling that the model is not certified for your market costs months.
• Sending the same RFQ to fifty suppliers. A short list of suitable factories, each given a proper brief, produces better answers than mass emails, which are often ignored.

You can build your list directly on this website: browse the product catalogue, add models to your inquiry shortlist, and send it through the quotation form with your quantities, finishes and destination market. DACHENG’s export team replies by email or WhatsApp.