What is the difference between EXW and DDP in a chair quotation?

EXW (Ex Works) means you collect the goods at the factory gate and pay all freight, insurance and import duty yourself. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means the supplier handles everything to your door, including duty. DDP quotes look higher but remove most of your logistics risk.

Why do two chair factories quote very different prices for similar chairs?

Because the quotes may not cover the same things. One price may exclude packaging upgrades, cushions, inland trucking or inspection, while another includes them. Always compare the itemised list, not just the headline unit price.

What MOQ should I expect from a Chinese dining chair factory?

JIANGPIN quotes every model from 6 pieces, so you can test a design with a small batch. Larger container programmes are priced per full load. Confirm the MOQ per model and whether mixed models can share one shipment before you commit.

How to Read a Chinese Chair Factory Quotation

Published by JIANGPIN · Dining chair manufacturer in Foshan, China

Receiving a quotation from a Foshan chair factory is the moment your sourcing plan turns concrete. Before you compare numbers across suppliers, it helps to understand exactly what a Chinese supplier's quote does and does not include. If you are new to importing, start with our full dining chair catalog so you can match each line item to a real model.

1. Start with the Incoterms

The first line to check is the trade term. A quote marked EXW (Ex Works) means you collect the chairs at the factory gate and arrange everything after that; a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) quote means the supplier handles freight, insurance and import duty right to your door. Most Foshan makers also quote FOB (Free On Board) or CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) for sea shipments. Compare our commercial restaurant chairs against the same term each time, and ask the supplier to state it in writing. If the term is unclear, clarify before you commit so the landed cost is not a surprise.

2. Confirm what the unit price actually includes

A headline unit price can mean very different things. Check whether it covers the frame only, or also the finish, the seat cushion, the carton and the protective corner guards. Solid wood and upholstered models in particular vary by what is bundled in. Look at our solid wood chairs and our upholstered leisure chairs as references, then ask the factory to itemise each component so you can compare two quotes on equal footing.

3. Watch for the hidden costs

The unit price is rarely the whole story. Common extras include mold or tooling fees for custom shapes, sample charges, inland trucking from the workshop to the port, third-party inspection, and bank wire fees on the deposit. Metal-frame programs can also carry extra coating or plating costs that are easy to miss. Build a simple landed-cost sheet and ask JIANGPIN to confirm each line before you sign, so the final invoice matches the quote you approved.

4. Read the validity, MOQ and lead time

Quotes are time-stamped for a reason: material and freight rates move weekly. Note the validity date, the minimum order quantity per model, and the production lead time after sample approval. Browse the complete range to plan how many models you need to reach a container, and check the bar stool lines if your venue needs mixed seating. JIANGPIN quotes every model from 6 pieces, so a pilot batch is realistic before a full container.

5. Decode the payment terms

Most factories ask for a 30% deposit with the balance against a bill of lading or before container release. The quote should state the deposit percentage, the currency, and how the balance is settled. For outdoor and patio seating with longer material lead times, the deposit timing matters even more. If the terms feel risky, discuss a milestone-based schedule with the supplier so your cash flow stays protected.

6. Compare quotes like-for-like

Never rank suppliers by the headline number alone. Put each quotation into the same columns: incoterm, unit price, what is included, packaging, validity, MOQ, lead time and payment terms. Our stackable commercial chairs and wood dining chairs make a good baseline because they appear across many catalogs. The cheapest quote is often the one that forgot the most line items.

Conclusion

A Chinese chair factory quotation is a spec sheet, not just a price. Read the incoterms, itemise what is included, flag the hidden costs, and confirm validity, MOQ, lead time and payment terms before you pay a deposit. As an SGS-verified Foshan manufacturer, JIANGPIN issues clear, itemised quotes with small MOQs and OEM/ODM support — send us your requirements and we will walk you through every line.