What a complete commodity RFQ is
A complete commodity RFQ states the product and grade, quantity with a unit, packing, destination, an Incoterm with a named place, the documents you will require, and how you expect to pay. It should also say whether the performing mill or plant is known, and the end-use if that affects licences or screening. Two “CIF” numbers are not comparable if the ports differ.
Identity of the goods
Name a recognisable grade or datasheet, not only a product nickname. If you know the HS heading, include it; if you do not, say so rather than guessing at the port. Lot or batch identity matters when a COA will have to match the cargo. A generic description produces a generic, unusable quote.
Quantity, unit, packing and destination
Write the quantity with a unit (MT, kg, bags, containers). Packing changes freight, inspection and how a shortage is proved. Name the destination country and, where known, the port or place that belongs with the Incoterm.
Incoterm with a named place
ICC Incoterms rules allocate cost and risk only when the three letters come with a named place. “CIF any European port” is not a term you can compare. “CIF Mersin, Incoterms 2020” is. Payment sits beside the Incoterm; it is not inside it. See ICC Incoterms 2020: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/
Quality, inspection and documents
State whether you need a producer COA, a third-party inspection, or both, and at which stage if you know it (pre-shipment, at load, at discharge). Inspection scope is contract-dependent; writing “inspection” without a scope does not tell the surveyor what to see. List destination documents that have lead times, such as a certificate of origin form the import market actually uses.
Payment and timing
Name the instrument you want priced (for example LC at sight or TT) and a delivery window the seller can put in a contract. A window that cannot be performed wastes everyone’s quoting time.
Producer versus trader, end-use and screening consent
If the mill, plant or crop origin will be screened, it has to be named or at least requested. Screening the trading letterhead alone does not screen the producer of the cargo. End-use affects licences and sanctions questions. Expect to provide a company profile and consent to ordinary due-diligence checks. TTC’s form asks for that because counterparties do.
What this page is not
This is not a catalogue and not a downloadable template. It is not legal advice. Incomplete RFQs are not illegal; they are usually unquotable. Submit the live form when the file is ready.
Primary sources
ICC Incoterms 2020 rules: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/
WCO Harmonized System overview: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/overview/what-is-the-harmonized-system.aspx