Sending a requirement is easier when the first message answers the questions a manufacturer would ask anyway. A complete requirement lets our sourcing team prepare an accurate offer without a long exchange of emails, and it means every manufacturer we approach quotes against the same brief.
This guide follows the order of our requirement form, so you can use it as a checklist while you write. Only the product, the quantity, the destination and your contact details are required. Everything else is optional, and each extra detail makes the offer more accurate.
Start with the product
Name the product the way a buyer in your market would search for it, then add what makes it specific: the grade, size, material, finish, colour or model number. Two or three lines are enough to begin, and you can add the technical detail in the specifications field.
If a drawing, a photo or a reference sample exists, mention it. A product that is clear on paper is much easier to match with the right manufacturer than one described only by its name. For the specification itself, see How to prepare product specifications.
Give the quantity and how it will repeat
State the quantity and the unit the product is sold in, such as kilograms, pieces, cartons or containers. If this first order may lead to repeat orders, say so, and give the quantity you expect over a year or a season.
Manufacturers set a minimum order quantity for each product, and it appears in your offer. If your quantity is flexible, tell us, and we look for manufacturers whose minimums suit your business.
Say where the goods are going
Give the destination country and, if you know it, the destination port. This lets us plan shipping and give you an accurate quotation from the start. Add the date you need the goods by, if there is one, and the delivery terms you would like quoted. The form offers ex-works, FOB and CIF, and you can choose "not sure yet".
Describe packaging and labelling
Packaging affects both price and how goods travel, so describe what you need: inner packing, cartons, pallets, labels, and any branding or artwork. When packaging is defined before manufacturers quote, every offer covers the same packing, and the offers can be compared fairly.
Name the certifications and documents you need
List the certifications the product must carry, such as ISO, FSSAI, HACCP, CE, organic or halal. Some products, including food, metal scrap and coating-related materials, need extra certificates, documents or transport rules. Tell us your product and destination, and our team confirms what applies.
Attach what you have
Drawings, photos and specification sheets shorten the conversation. You can attach up to three files of up to 10 MB each, in PDF, JPG, PNG, DWG, XLSX or DOCX format.
Add a target price and a timeline if you have them
A target price or budget is optional. If you have one in mind, it helps us select manufacturers that suit it. The same goes for a delivery timeline: share it, and we plan around it.
Send one requirement for each product group
Send a separate requirement for each product group. If several items belong together, list them in the specifications, and our team organises them.
