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Buyer Guide / Before Ordering

What Should I Ask a Chinese Supplier Before Placing an Order?

Before placing an order, ask the supplier to confirm the product, quotation basis, MOQ, customization, packaging, payment terms, lead time, and production conditions in writing.

This guide organizes buyer questions. It does not verify suppliers, inspect factories, or guarantee production or payment outcomes.

Direct Answer

Do not place an order from a price alone. Confirm what product is being quoted, what the supplier needs from you, what is included, what may change, and which conditions apply before production begins.

Not a sample-only checklist

This guide covers the broader order decision. For sample-specific questions, use the sample order guide.

Questions to Ask Before Placing an Order

Use these categories to create one written order summary.

1. Product and specification

  • Which model, material, dimensions, colors, finishes, and functions are included?
  • Which drawings, samples, or files define the order?
  • Which details still need approval?

2. Quotation scope

  • What exactly is included in the unit price?
  • Are tooling, printing, packaging, testing, or shipping excluded?
  • How long is the quotation valid?
  • Which assumptions could change the price?

3. MOQ and quantity

  • What is the MOQ for this specification?
  • Does customization or packaging have a separate MOQ?
  • Which price tiers apply at different quantities?

4. Customization

  • Which product, logo, label, and packaging options are available?
  • What files or approvals are required?
  • Are there tooling, setup, or development fees?

5. Packaging

  • What unit, inner, carton, pallet, or retail packaging is included?
  • Who confirms labels, barcodes, carton marks, and inserts?
  • Will packaging affect MOQ, cost, or lead time?

6. Lead time and production

  • When does production time begin?
  • Which materials, approvals, or deposits must be received first?
  • What production steps are in-house or outsourced?
  • What may delay production readiness?

7. Payment terms

  • Which company and account receive payment?
  • What currency and payment schedule apply?
  • What amount is due before production and before shipment?
  • Can the supplier provide a written invoice or payment summary?

8. Shipping readiness

  • Which Incoterm and shipping responsibility apply?
  • When will the order be ready for pickup or dispatch?
  • Which documents or packing details will be provided?

Buyer Message Template

Adapt this to the product and order stage.

Before placing the order, could you please confirm:

1. Final product specification and quantity

2. Unit price and everything included or excluded

3. MOQ and customization requirements

4. Packaging details

5. Production lead time and start conditions

6. Payment recipient, currency, and schedule

7. Shipping term and readiness date

Please also list any details that still need approval. Thank you.

Common Mistakes

  • Confirming only the unit priceThe price may exclude packaging, tooling, printing, testing, or shipping.
  • Using MOQ without a specificationMOQ may change with materials, customization, or packaging.
  • Treating one lead time as fixedAsk when the timeline starts and what conditions affect it.
  • Paying from an informal summaryKeep the product, quotation, payment, and production conditions in one written record.

Key Takeaway

A useful pre-order conversation makes the product, price, responsibilities, payment, and production conditions easier to compare. It does not prove supplier reliability, but it reduces the number of assumptions carried into the next decision.

Still have an unclear supplier reply?

Review what the supplier confirmed, what remains missing, and what to ask next.

Review a Supplier Reply ยท See a Sample Review