What a First Export Enquiry Should Include

Suppliers can only quote against a defined requirement. The difference between a two-week exchange and a same-week quotation is usually the completeness of the first message.

The six essentials

Product and grade, quantity and unit, packing preference, destination port or city, expected purchase timing, and whether the requirement is one-time or recurring. Those six points cover almost every commercial variable.

Samples and specifications

If a sample is needed before commercial confirmation, say so at the start. Sample logistics often set the overall timeline, so raising it early keeps expectations realistic.