Customer quotation in foreign trade refers to a formal statement provided by the seller to the buyer in response to an inquiry, specifying the price and terms of the goods. It typically includes unit price, trade terms (such as FOB, CIF), payment method, delivery time, validity period, etc. It is commonly used when the buyer initiates an inquiry and the seller replies with a quotation to facilitate an order. Precautions: calculate costs, profits, and exchange rate risks before quoting; clearly state the quotation validity period to avoid losses from market fluctuations; distinguish between Firm Offer and Non-firm Offer—a firm offer is legally binding, while a non-firm offer can be modified. Unlike an Offer, a quotation is generally not legally binding and serves only as a price reference; as opposed to a Counter-offer, which is the buyer's response to a quotation. Quotations should be clear and professional, avoiding ambiguity to improve the closing rate.
📝 Examples
1. Thank you for your inquiry. We are pleased to quote for 1000 pieces of pure cotton T-shirts as follows: unit price USD 5/piece FOB Shanghai, payment by sight L/C, delivery time 30 days, quotation valid for 7 days. (Note: The seller responds to the buyer's inquiry with specific transaction terms.)
2. As per your request, we have updated the customer quotation, adjusting the CIF New York price to USD 5.5 per piece and extending the validity period to 15 days. (Note: The seller modifies the quotation, adjusting trade terms and validity period.)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
Foreign trade terms are the foundation of international business communication
Trade practices may vary slightly by country; pay attention when using them
When using terms in contracts, specify the applicable version (e.g., Incoterms 2020)
For unfamiliar terms, use GlobalSync's multilingual email helper to confirm with your partner