What to Prepare Before an Export Inquiry

Prepare the inquiry before asking for a price

In export trade, vague inquiries often receive either no answer or a price that later becomes unusable. A supplier needs to know what the product is, where it will be used, where it will be shipped and what purchase volume is expected.

A good brief does not need to be long; it needs to be precise. Product name, destination, approximate quantity, packing, standards or certificates, purchase timing, payment expectations and shipment preference shorten the route to a serious answer.

Saderati reviews inquiries with this discipline. If key information is missing, clarification comes before supplier introduction so negotiations do not begin with assumptions.

Before you send

• Define the product, application and estimated quantity.
• State destination, packing and compliance requirements.
• Attach samples, photos or datasheets when available.
• Mention purchase timing and expected cooperation model.