Short answer: A toy quote request that gets a fast, accurate reply lists eight numbers for every product line: item reference, quantity per SKU, pieces per carton, carton size, carton weight, price basis (such as FOB Shantou), destination market for testing, and target delivery date. Missing any one forces your supplier to guess, and guesses show up later as price changes.
Most delayed quotes from Chenghai have the same cause: a buyer sends a photo and asks “price?”. A trading company can answer that, but only with a range. If you want a firm number you can compare against other offers, give the supplier the inputs they need. This guide walks through the eight numbers, why each one matters, and how to lay out a request so your quote comes back in about one working day.
Toy pricing in Shantou depends on more than the product. Carton packing decides your freight cost per piece. Destination decides which tests are needed. Quantity decides whether a factory runs your line or waits for a bigger order. A photo carries none of that. If you are still learning the overall process, start with our step-by-step guide to importing toys from China and then come back to build your request.
| # | Number | Why the supplier needs it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item reference (catalogue code or photo number) | Avoids quoting the wrong model or size variant |
| 2 | Quantity per SKU | Sets the price tier and checks the minimum order |
| 3 | Pieces per carton | Determines packing cost and cartons needed |
| 4 | Carton size (L x W x H, cm) | Gives CBM, which drives freight and container fit |
| 5 | Carton gross weight (kg) | Matters for LCL, air and courier shipments |
| 6 | Price basis (FOB Shantou, FOB Shenzhen, EXW) | Makes quotes comparable between suppliers |
| 7 | Destination country and test standard | EN71, ASTM F963/CPC, UKCA and others are arranged per market |
| 8 | Target delivery or ship date | Checks the 25-45 day production window against your season |
Use the catalogue code if you have one, plus one clear photo. Then state the quantity for each SKU, not just a grand total. Typical minimums at Chenghai are 1-5 cartons per item: roughly 120-360 pcs for battery-operated toys, 180-500 for vinyl dolls, 300-600 for plush and 500-1,000 for inflatables. These are ranges, and the exact figure is confirmed in the quote. If your quantity is below the minimum, say so up front and ask what the nearest workable number is. Our Chenghai MOQ, CBM and lead time guide explains how those ranges are set.
This is the group most buyers skip, and it is where landed cost is won or lost. Two identical toys packed 24 per carton or 36 per carton ship very differently. Ask for the supplier’s standard carton, then ask whether a different pack changes the price. Once you have carton size, you can calculate CBM yourself: length x width x height in metres, multiplied by the number of cartons. For help planning how many cartons fit a 20GP or 40HQ, see CBM and container loading for toy orders.
Always name the term. A price without one is not comparable. Most of our offers are FOB Shantou or FOB Shenzhen, which means the price covers goods delivered to the port and cleared for export, with ocean freight and import costs on your side. If you want a delivered price, ask for it as a separate line so you can see the freight part clearly. Unit prices are always confirmed in the written quote and depend on quantity, packing and materials.
Tell the supplier where the goods will be sold. Testing is arranged per destination: EN71 for the EU, ASTM F963 and CPC for the US, UKCA for Great Britain, INMETRO for Brazil, NOM for Mexico. Do not assume one report covers every market. Our toy safety certification by country guide shows what each market expects. Naming the market in your first message avoids a re-quote later when test costs are added.
Production usually takes 25-45 days after sample approval and deposit, and samples take 3-7 days. Work backwards from the date you need stock on shelf, allowing for ocean transit and customs. If you are buying for a seasonal window, check the wholesale toy buying calendar so you do not order too late.
Send one line per product, in this order: item code, quantity, pcs per carton, carton size, carton weight, price basis, destination, target date. For example: “Item A-102, 600 pcs, 24 pcs/ctn, 55x40x45 cm, 12 kg, FOB Shantou, UK, ship by end of March.” Attach one photo per line. A spreadsheet works just as well as an email.
Asking for the “lowest price” without a quantity, mixing several quantities in one line, leaving out the destination, and comparing a FOB quote against an EXW quote are the four that cause the most rework. Also check whether you are speaking to a factory or a trading company; our guide on trading company vs factory vs sourcing agent explains the differences. LeTin Toys is a Chenghai-based trading company founded in 2018 and an amfori BSCI member, so we can combine items from several factories into one mixed order.
With all eight numbers included, we reply within one working day. Incomplete requests take longer because we must ask follow-up questions first.
Yes. List one product per line with its own quantity and carton data. Mixed orders from different categories can be combined into a single shipment.
Leave it blank and ask the supplier for their standard carton. It is better to ask than to guess, because carton size changes freight cost.
The written quote is the reference. Prices depend on quantity, packing, materials and testing, so always confirm the figures in the quote before paying a deposit.
Ready to send your list? Request a quote from LeTin Toys and include the eight numbers above.