Hardside Luggage RFQ - How to Get Quick Factory Quotation

In terms of getting an accurate, fast quote from a hardside luggage factory for importers, wholesalers, e-commerce sellers and private-label buyers, one thing is key: a clear RFQ.

RFQ is short for Request for Quotation. It tells the factory what product you want, how many pieces or sets you need, what market you sell to, what quality level you expect and what packaging or testing requirements should be considered.

Buyers will often send short messages such as "Please quote your best price", "I need good quality luggage" or "Can you make the same as this picture?". These messages may initiate a conversation, but they typically do not provide the factory with enough information to determine an accurate price.

A professional RFQ saves time for both parties. The buyer gets a more useful quotation and the factory can more quickly check material, mold availability, production feasibility, packaging, lead time and cost.

Why Most Luggage Enquiries Don't Get Accurate Quotes

Generic questions about hardside luggage are many. The buyer may ask for a price for a suitcase, but forget to mention the size, material, quantity, target market, type of lock, wheel structure, packaging method or testing requirements.

Small spec changes can impact final cost for hardside luggage. For example, ABS, ABS+PC and PP are different materials and should not be quoted together without clear confirmation. Different costs, weights, carton sizes and shipping considerations apply to a 20 inch carry on suitcase, a 24 inch check-in suitcase, a 28 inch large suitcase and a three-piece luggage set.

If the RFQ is not clear, the factory may have many follow-up questions before providing a quote. This adds time to the sourcing process and may result in incorrect price comparison between suppliers.

A good RFQ should do more than ask, "How much is this luggage?" It needs to be the right luggage you are looking to source.

What to Include in a Hardside Luggage RFQ

A full hardside luggage RFQ should specify size, material, quantity, target price, market, packaging, testing requirements and customization details. The table below can be used as a quick checklist before you contact a luggage factory.

Hardside Luggage RFQ Checklist for Quicker Factory Quotation

1. Size Required

One of the first things the factory has to know is the size.

Hardside Luggage Sizes: Common sizes are:

20''

24 inches

28 inches in

3-Piece Set

Different sizes will affect the material consumption, weight, packaging, shipping volume, final price. If you are unsure on the size, let the factory know what your target market and sales channel is, so they can suggest options.

For example, a 20 inch suitcase is a typical size for a carry-on, and 24 inch and 28 inch suitcases are better suited for checked luggage. A three-piece set may be more appropriate if you are looking for family travel or retail sets.

2. Need of Material

The material has a direct impact on the product positioning, cost, durability and marketing message.

Common materials for hardside luggage include:

ABS ABS+PC PP

Different materials have different selling points, so buyers need to confirm the material clearly in RFQ. Do not just write "hard shell luggage" without information about materials.

A more accurate RFQ description would read:

We are looking for 20/24/28 inch ABS+PC hard shell luggage for a mid-range e-commerce market.

This gives the factory a better direction than saying:

"Give me good quality luggage quote please."

3. MOQ and Quantity

Factory quotation requires quantity as cost relies on order quantity, material purchase, packaging arrangement, and production planning.

MOQ for existing molds is 200 sets per style. If the buyer requires customized logo, special color, packaging design or ODM development, the factory may need to review the requirement before confirming the feasibility.

A good RFQ should include:

Order quantity for trial

Expected volume of repeat orders

Size by amount

Quantities in color

If the order is for stock, retail, wholesale, e-commerce or private label

Example:

First order: 200sets per style, three-piece set, mixed colors. If sales are good, we plan to repeat orders.

4. Price Target

A target price also helps the factory measure if the product direction is viable.

Many buyers don't want to share a target price, but without a price range, the factory may quote a product that is either too expensive or too basic for the buyer's market.

A good target price doesn't have to be final. It can be a reference interval.

For example:

We want to build a mid-range product, not a cheap product. Please recommend a low cost option which will be suitable for online sales."

This is better than just saying "cheap price" because "cheap" means different things in different markets.

5. Target Market

Lock choice, color preference, packaging, style and compliance expectations are all influenced by the target market.

Potential markets are:

United States .

Europa

South America.

Africa Middle East World market

For example, if the buyer sells to United States or Europe, TSA lock may be asked. Color and design may be more important if the buyer sells via fashion travel channels. If the buyer is selling through wholesale or supermarket channels, packaging and price structure may be more important.

A good RFQ should indicate where the luggage will be sold to the factory.

6. PACKING REQUIREMENT

Packaging impacts cost, shipping and buyer presentation.

Hardside luggage sets can be packaged in regular export carton. The carton size of regular three pieces set is 53 × 35 × 78 cm.

Buyers should verify whether they need:

Packaging one-piece

Packaging of three-piece set

Neutral box

Custom box

Packaging for retail

Barcode sticker

Shipment mark

Hang tag/Color box

Operating instructions

Packaging details are particularly important for e-commerce sellers, supermarket buyers and distributors.

7. Testing Requirements and Quality Assurance

Testing requirements help the factory to know the level of quality the buyer wants.

For hardside luggage, buyers may inquire about:

Exit Inspection

Fall test

Test the wheel

Trolley handle test

General quality control procedure

For instance, hardside luggage with 360° spinner wheels and silent wheels are great selling points. If the buyer wants to encourage smooth and quiet movement, wheel testing should be discussed prior to mass production.

Quality control is even more important when selling products online, because wheel noise, broken handles, shell cracks and poor internal structure can quickly turn into negative reviews.

Commonly Used Vague RFQ Phrases That Lead to Delays in Quotation

Many luggage RFQs are delayed due to the ambiguous expression of the buyer. Here are some common examples and better alternatives.

How Do Plants Evaluate Feasibility of RFQ?

A professional luggage factory doesn't look at the picture of the product. It checks whether the buyer's needs can be produced within the target cost, MOQ, lead time and quality level.

When reviewing an RFQ the factory will typically take into consideration the following points.

1. Is the material obvious?

The factory needs to know whether the buyer wants ABS, ABS+PC or PP. They have different marketing angles and different cost structures for these materials.

2. Is the Size Verified?

The factory needs to know if the buyer wants 20 inch, 24 inch, 28 inch or a three piece set. Weight and packaging vary by size. Net weight could be about 2.8kg for 20", 3.5kg for 24", 4.5kg for 28", depending on final configuration as reference.

3. Is the number reasonable?

The MOQ reference for existing molds could be 200 sets per style if the buyer wants to use existing molds. Feasibility should be reviewed separately if the buyer requires new development or special customization.

4. Is it clear what customization is needed?

The customization of OEM/ODM can be:

Logo Color Size Packaging

If the buyer requires custom colors, this should be stated in the RFQ. The color directions available depending on the project are black, champagne gold, red, green, yellow, dark blue, pink, army green, gray, and others.

5. Are Functional Details Verified?

Important functional details are:

360° spinner wheels

Design of silent wheels

Trolley handle style

Type of lock

Expandable zipper

Interior structure X-strap

Zipper partition

Mesh pocket

Wet/dry area

TSA lock is also available if you have a specific need, but the factory can provide standard lock options. Trolley handle options can include iron or aluminum handle For 20 inch luggage, a three-section trolley handle can be used and for 24 inch and 28 inch luggage, a two-section trolley handle can be used.

6. Is the Lead Time OK?

"We will be able to prepare a sample in 10 days depending on confirmed details. It takes about 40 days to get bulk production after details are confirmed.

Buyers should include the expected delivery time frame in the RFQ, especially for seasonal campaigns, promotional orders, supermarket programs or online launch schedules.

Hardside Luggage Request For Quote Template

Buyers can refer to the following template when contacting a hardside luggage factory.

Sample RFQ for Clear Hardside Luggage

Below is an example of a well written RFQ that a buyer can send to a hardside luggage factory.

Why a Clear RFQ Helps Buyers Compare Suppliers More Accurately

The comparison of quotes from different factories is of any use only if the quote is based on the same product requirements.

If one factory quotes ABS material and another quotes ABS+PC, you cannot compare the prices directly. One quote may be for a TSA lock, another for a regular lock, and the price difference may be due to the spec, not the competitiveness of the factory.

Wheels, trolley handle, packaging, interior structure, testing requirements and customization – same. A clear RFQ means that buyers can compare suppliers on an equal footing.

In B2B sourcing, a good quote is not always the lowest price. It's about finding a good specification of the product for the target market, channel of sale and brand positioning.

Q&A: Hardside Luggage RFQ

In luggage sourcing, RFQ means "Request for Quotation".

RFQ stands for "Request for Quotation". It is a document or message to inform the factory your required product details, quantity, market, packaging, testing requirements and customization needs, so the factory can provide a more accurate quotation.

A luggage factory asks so many questions before they quote. Why?

Factory needs to know the size, material, quantity, lock type, wheel type, packaging and testing needs. Without these details the quote may not be suitable for the actual needs of the buyer.

What type of hardside luggage should I buy?

Common options are ABS, ABS+PC and PP. Cost and product positioning is different for each material. Selection should be made by checking the target market and quality level.

What is a reasonable MOQ for hardside luggage?

For existing molds, 200 sets per style can be a practical MOQ reference. Custom projects may be subject to additional review.

How long does it take to produce a bag?

Sample preparation can be within 10 days after details are confirmed. Once details are confirmed, mass production can take around 40 days.

Do I have to put target price in RFQ?

Yes. The price target enables the factory to recommend appropriate material, structure and packaging. This also helps to avoid quoting a product that is either too expensive or too basic for your market.

RFQ for Luggage Testing?

Yes. Outgoing inspection, drop test, wheel test, trolley handle test, etc testing requirements are help the factory to know your quality expectation before mass production.

Can I get the factory to recommend a material?

Yes. If you do not know which one to choose, ABS, ABS+PC or PP, you can tell factory your target market, sales channel, price level and product positioning. Then the factory can recommend a more suitable option.

Final advice to importers

A clear RFQ is not a price quote. It's a sourcing tool.

The more detail you put into your RFQ, the quicker factory can review your project and tell you what materials to use, see if it is possible to produce and give you a useful quotation.

Before asking for a price, prepare the key information:

Measurements

Quantity Material

Target price

Target Audience

Packaging:

Testing Criteria

Customization requirements

Lead time

It will help you to avoid vague quotations, repeated communication and wrong product comparison.

If you're looking for hardside luggage for wholesale, e-commerce, retail, gift channels or private-label projects, get your RFQ ready before contacting the factory. A professional RFQ will help you get faster, clearer and more accurate factory quotations.

Call to Action

Need a faster quote on your hardside luggage project?

Download our hardside luggage RFQ template and send us your size, material, quantity, target market, packaging, testing and customization requirements. Our team is available to help you review your project and recommend appropriate OEM/ODM solutions based on your market and product positioning.