The first reply to most charger enquiries is a price range, because the enquiry did not contain enough information to price. An RFQ that states the device list, the markets, the branding level and the quantity usually comes back as a number you can use – and a second quote that can be compared with it.
This guide is part of our Programme Execution & After-sales. Read the full topic guide for the decisions that come before and after this step.
Why most charger RFQs get a price range
Charger price depends on the wattage, the port configuration, the protocol support, the plug system, the certification scope, the packaging and the quantity. An enquiry that omits three of those cannot be priced accurately, so the supplier protects itself with a range. The range is not a negotiating position; it is a signal that the specification is incomplete.
Section 1: device list and target wattage
- Devices to be charged, with the largest and the smallest called out
- Required wattage per port and total output
- Protocol requirement: USB Power Delivery, PPS, or manufacturer-specific fast charge
- Whether simultaneous multi-device charging must hold full output
Section 2: ports, protocols and cable requirements
State the port count and type – for example 1A1C, 2C, or 2A3C – and whether the cable is supplied. Cable rating must match the charger output, so a programme that supplies a 100W charger with a 60W cable has a specification problem before it has a price problem. Include whether the cable is captive or detachable, and its length and finish.
Section 3: markets, plug kits and certification
| Field | What to state | Why it changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Target markets | EU, UK, US, AUS or a combination | Determines plug kit and compliance documents |
| Plug strategy | Fixed, interchangeable or kit | Changes SKU count and tooling |
| Certification scope | Which markets must be covered at launch | Determines test programme and timeline |
| Label requirements | Language, importer details, warnings | Affects print and artwork |
Section 4: branding, packaging and artwork
Describe the branding level precisely: logo application, colour, finish, retail box, insert, manual and accessory content. Attach artwork or say when it will be available. If artwork is not ready, state the design direction, because a photographic wrap and a two-colour solid have very different print costs.
Section 5: quantities, MOQ and delivery terms
- Opening order quantity and expected annual volume
- Whether the opening order is a trial run or a launch commitment
- Required delivery date and destination
- Preferred Incoterm and freight arrangement
- Payment terms expected
Section 6: quality, testing and documentation
State the quality requirements that affect cost: the inspection level, whether electrical test and aging apply to every unit, the warranty period, the spares expectation, and the documentation required with each shipment. These items are frequently omitted and then disputed after the price is agreed.
How to compare quotations line by line
- Same platform or enclosure, or the difference stated
- Same port layout, protocol support and cable rating
- Same plug strategy and certification scope
- Same packaging route and branding level
- Same Incoterm, quantity and payment terms
- Tooling stated separately from unit price
RFQ template you can copy
- Product: charger type, wattage, port layout, protocol support
- Devices: largest device, number of simultaneous devices
- Cable: included or not, rating, length, captive or detachable
- Markets: countries, plug strategy, certification required at launch
- Branding: logo, colour, finish, retail box, insert, manual languages
- Quantity: opening order, annual forecast, delivery date
- Commercial: Incoterm, payment terms, target price if known
- Quality: inspection level, warranty, spares, documentation
What a good supplier reply looks like
A usable reply restates the specification, names the platform, separates tooling from unit price, states the MOQ and the lead time, identifies what is included in the price, and flags anything that is still unconfirmed. It should also state which assumptions it made. A reply that quotes a price without restating the specification is not comparable with any other reply.
What to do when a supplier cannot answer the RFQ
A reply that ignores half the RFQ is information in itself. If the supplier cannot state the platform, the certification status, the MOQ or the packaging options, the enquiry has either reached a trading company that needs to check with a third party, or a factory that has not yet decided how to position the programme. Both are workable, but the reply should be followed by a specific request: name the platform, name the certification state, and confirm which items in the specification are included in the price. If the second reply is still general, the supplier is unlikely to be able to hold a specification, a schedule and a documentation pack through a programme. Comparing three replies in which only one addresses the specification line by line is faster than negotiating with three suppliers who each answered a different question.
FAQs
What should a charger RFQ include?
The specification of the finished, packed product: wattage, ports, protocols, cable, markets, plug strategy, branding, packaging, quantity, delivery terms and quality requirements. The more of those that are stated, the narrower the price range.
How many suppliers should I send an RFQ to?
Enough to compare, but not so many that the specification drifts between replies. Three to five well-specified enquiries usually produce a comparable set.
How fast should a charger quotation come back?
A complete RFQ can usually be answered within one business day. Where the reply takes longer, the missing input is normally a specification detail rather than the price calculation.
Next step
Send the eight-point RFQ above to Wecent Group through the contact page; quotations are returned within 24 hours on business days, with tooling and unit price stated separately. Related reading: tooling and MOQ economics, wholesale chargers, OEM/ODM manufacturing and choosing charger wattage. External references: USB-IF documentation, IEC standards, ICC Incoterms, EU CE marking and FCC equipment authorisation.
More on this topic: custom wireless chargers and wireless charger manufacturing, multi-port chargers.