Many foreign enterprises choose to import goods from China through Alibaba. There are many ways to select products on the international website. Previously, we introduced how to search for products. Today, we will introduce another faster method: by Posting RFQ requirements, you can quickly obtain 10 quotations.
1. What is Alibaba RFQ? RFQ rules from the perspective of buyers and sellers:
Alibaba RFQ is a request made by a buyer to a supplier, asking the supplier to provide quotations for products or services. Here is the link. https://rfq.alibaba.com/
It usually includes detailed information such as product specifications, quantities, delivery times, and payment methods. It is an efficient and secure basic auxiliary procurement tool, and its essence is the rapid matching between buyers and sellers. At the same time, RFQ is also one of the ways for suppliers to actively develop customers. Many suppliers attach great importance to the utilization of RFQ resources and even purchase additional quotations. Therefore, as buyers, we should make good use of our RFQ.
RFQ Rule:
After the buyer publishes the RFQ, it can only be published on the RFQ market after being reviewed and approved by industry experts on the Alibaba platform. Meanwhile, the supplier will search for suitable RFQ through keyword search, category screening and other methods for quotation, thereby forming a matching communication between the buyer and the seller.
Buyer:
There is no limit to the number of times RFQ requirements can be released each month. Each RFQ basically accepts 10 quotations from suppliers. Please note the following three points:
- Only genuine and valid procurement information can be released.
- The release of false and fraudulent information is prohibited.
- Buyers need to ensure the rationality and legality of their purchasing demands.
The RFQ posted by buyers will be classified by the system based on quality, including industry selection and business opportunities for gold, silver and bronze MEDALS. Industry selection business opportunities usually require professional B-class buyers in the industry to post. For other business opportunities, there is no division of buyer identity levels. It mainly depends on the popularity of the industry and the quality of the demands filled out by RFQ buyers. Therefore, when Posting, buyers need to fill in their real demands carefully and in detail in order to match high-quality sellers.
Seller:
There is an upper limit to the number of times a seller can quote per month, which is determined by the type of membership and the RFQ service score of the previous month. The seller’s quotation rights are classified into the following categories:
- Basic quotation rights
- Gold business opportunity quotation rights
- Silver exclusive business opportunities
- Smooth travel rights
- Top quotation rights
The strength of the supplier determines the level of the quoted RFQ. For instance, export Pass with a rating of less than 3 stars cannot quote gold business opportunities. Different rights and interests match buyers at different levels. High-quality suppliers will give priority to choosing the gold business opportunities with quotations.
Therefore, the quality of the RFQ released by the buyer also determines whether quotations from high-quality suppliers can be obtained.
2. Why is RFQ recommended?
More explicit demand orientation:
Through RFQ, buyers can clearly express their demands for products or services, such as product prices, parameters, arrival times, transportation methods, etc., which can reduce the time cost for buyers to select products. At the same time, it can also ensure that the products or services provided by suppliers can meet their specifications and quality requirements.
Obtain multiple quotations more quickly:
After the buyer publishes the RFQ, the system will quickly match and promote it to the appropriate supplier. Each RFQ has 10 basic quotation opportunities. Therefore, the buyer can quickly obtain the product quotation details of multiple suppliers. By comparing the quotations from different suppliers, buyers can screen out the partner that best meets their needs.
More efficient efficiency：
RFQ simplifies the procurement process, enhances procurement efficiency, and reduces the risk of information asymmetry. The quotation management page involves information such as the scale, understanding, and qualifications of suppliers, which is clear and easy to compare. Compared with product link inquiries, it is more convenient to manage and screen suppliers. We will attach pictures for display in the following text.
More potential business opportunities:
RFQ is a way for buyers to proactively post their purchasing demands. When buyers do not have a clear product target, they can conduct market research by referring to the product demands posted by other buyers in the RFQ market to discover potential suppliers and products.
3. Two methods for publishing RFQ
1. Open the Alibaba backend, click on Buying Leads – My RFQs – Post an RFQ
After entering the RFQ release interface, fill in the corresponding information in the order shown in the figure.
When filling in the RFQ information, please try to provide clear requirements as much as possible:
- Product name: It should be related to the buyer’s needs, but not exactly the same. The title should be concise and attractive.
- Product specifications: including detailed parameters such as material, size, and color.
- Purchase quantity: Clearly define the purchase quantity to enable suppliers to evaluate the quotation.
- Delivery time: Indicate the expected delivery period, such as “before July 2025”.
- Budget range: Provide a price range to help suppliers determine whether the quotations are reasonable.
- Payment method: Indicate the payment method, such as telegraphic transfer, PayPal, etc.
- Other requirements: such as sample requirements, packaging methods, logistics methods, customized contents, etc
On the one hand, it can reduce the quotations from suppliers for non-intended products and save the time spent on information collection caused by repeated communication. On the other hand, it can improve the business opportunity quality of RFQ and match it with high-quality suppliers.
If you have customized requirements or a clear product, you can upload your LOGO or product pictures so that the supplier can confirm whether they have the product you need.
If you are a biganer buyer and don’t know how to fill it out, we have provided you with a case:
The following is a demand released in the RFQ market. Please refer to it and fill it in one by one in the order of the numbers in the above picture.
2. The Inquiry conversion page converts to RFQ, which is a faster method.
When you click on the product link you want to consult and send the inquiry to the supplier, the “More recommendations” page will appear. The product information just consulted here has been automatically filled in the corresponding content. You only need to fill in the required quantity and click “Submit RFQ”, and it can be published quickly.
The following is the page after successful publication. If you need to add an RFQ publication, you can click “Submit new RFQ”.
4. How to manage my RFQ quotations?
The method to enter the RFQ management page:
- As shown in the above figure, after successfully converting to RFQ, click on the page Manage RFQ to enter.
- Buying Leads——My RFQs
In the quotation management, you can see the number of suppliers with real-time quotations, as well as other related information.
Click on “View Quotes” to enter the quotation management viewing page.
All the suppliers who have quoted to you will be displayed here. You can see the suppliers’ ratings, the product information of the quoted products, and the years of the suppliers’ qualifications, etc., it can quickly compare and screen the suppliers
Click “View product details”, and the quotation details of the supplier will be displayed on the right side of the page.
After you have selected a supplier and do not wish to receive quotations from other suppliers, you can click “Close” on the right side of RFQ to close this procurement request.
If the suppliers in the quotation do not meet your requirements, you can click “Post agent” to obtain the quotation again.
