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China Sourcing RFQ Readiness Checklist

For UK SMEs preparing China supplier RFQs.
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Blueprint and project plan used to prepare an RFQ evidence pack.
01 / Requirement readiness

Can suppliers quote the same requirement?

Use this before sending drawings, samples, photos or a written brief. The aim is enough clarity for factories to quote the same requirement.

Core input

Drawing, sample, dimensions or photos are ready before suppliers interpret the part.

Technical expectations

Material, finish, tolerance, packaging and inspection notes are written.

Commercial basis

Quantity, sample need, cadence and intended use are clear.
02 / Supplier evidence

Is the supplier claim strong enough before shortlist or deposit?

Treat supplier claims, certificates, photos, samples and messages as evidence to check, not as guarantees.

Manufacturing fit

The supplier appears to make this component type, not only trade or list it.

Capability explanation

The supplier can explain process, material route, MOQ and sample path.

Comparable answers

Supplier replies answer the same RFQ pack and quote basis.
03 / Quote and landed cost

Is the visible unit price hiding a cost line?

A low unit price can still depend on provisional freight, duty, VAT, inspection, packaging or recovery assumptions.

Separated costs

Goods, tooling, samples, MOQ and payment terms are separated.

Named assumptions

Freight, incoterms, port charges and local delivery are named.

Specialist checks

Duty, VAT, customs and regulated assumptions stay provisional.
04 / Sample, inspection and payment gates

What must be checked before supplier leverage changes?

Sample approval, inspection scope and payment release should be written before production or shipment moves on.

Sample record

The approval note records what passed, not only that the sample passed.

Inspection scope

Inspection criteria tie back to RFQ, sample approval and packaging.

Payment evidence

Balance payment waits for agreed production or shipment evidence.
05 / Fit and boundary check

Is this a sourcing-control problem?

Plinth&Co fits when the buyer needs a clearer decision file before RFQ, deposit, sample approval, shipment or repeat order.

Best fit

Proven industrial or commercial components with usable buyer evidence.

Not a fit

Dropshipping, consumer trends, lowest-price hunting or safety-critical decisions.

Next step

If one section is incomplete, request a sourcing review.