Procurement guide

Board RFQ checklist for Gulf buyers

A concise list of the information that lets procurement, production and compliance teams review one request together.

Plywood, blockboard and OSB buying guide

What should a panel RFQ include?

By Lin Gui Technology · Updated 17 September 2026

Send the application, panel dimensions, quantity by thickness, destination and required documents together. Ask each supplier to identify the offered item and quote on the same price and delivery basis. A category name and a total container quantity alone leave important differences unresolved.

01 · Panel specification

Choose the family, then define the actual item

These catalogue sizes help prepare a request. They do not confirm live stock, final construction or suitability for a particular project.

Plywood sheets

Nominal panel size: 1220 × 2440 mm
Catalog thicknesses: 5 / 9 / 12 / 15 / 18 mm

Start with the application, required panel size and thickness. Use the reviewed catalogue dimensions below as references, then state the required core, face and documents for the actual quotation.

Review plywood sheets specifications

Blockboard panels

Nominal panel size: 1220 × 2440 mm
Launch-catalog thicknesses: 16 / 17 / 18 mm

Specify the end use, dimensions and machining needs first. The catalogue references below help narrow the request; core-strip build, flatness and surface expectations need item-level confirmation.

Review blockboard panels specifications

OSB boards

Nominal panel size: 1220 × 2440 mm
Launch-catalog thicknesses: 9 / 12 / 15 / 18 mm

Reviewed OSB catalogue references cover 1220 × 2440 mm boards in 9, 12, 15 and 18 mm nominal thicknesses. The reference minimum order is one 20-foot full container, with mixed loading available. Send the application, load, exposure, quantity and destination so the actual grade, construction, availability and reports can be checked for the quoted item.

Review osb boards specifications

02 · Quantity and loading

List quantities by size and thickness

Use a separate line for each panel family, dimension and thickness. State whether the quantity is in sheets, square metres or cubic metres, and ask the supplier to use the same unit in the quotation. Keep a mixed-container total separate from the item breakdown.

The reference minimum order is one 20-foot full container. Plywood, blockboard and OSB may be mixed in one container, subject to specification, packing and loading review in the written quotation.

A container reference is a planning input. Confirm the actual load against the item mix, packing, weight and container limits before treating a sheet count as an order quantity.

03 · Quotation comparison

Make FOB, CFR or CIF quotes comparable

Request the same Incoterm and named port when comparing offers. If the bases differ, ask each supplier to identify freight, insurance, packing and other included or excluded costs before comparing the totals.

Confirm the same panel specification, quantity, price unit and currency.
Request a separate packing charge and details of the agreed protection.
State the destination port and any freight or insurance requirement.
Compare production and shipment dates separately from the required arrival date.
Check payment milestones and the expiry date on each written offer.

FOB, CFR or CIF can be quoted according to the buyer's requirement. Each written quotation states the currency, inclusions, exclusions and a three-day validity period. Website content is not a binding price offer.

Review MOQ, samples, payment and packing terms

04 · Documents and schedule

Match reports and timing to the quoted item

Specify the required test standard and importer or project documents in the RFQ. Ask which report applies to the offered construction, thickness and sample scope. A reviewed upstream report does not establish approval for every panel or destination.

Standard production reference: 15–20 days. Custom production reference: 20–30 days. These are factory production references after specification review. Freight, customs clearance and final delivery are excluded; confirm the order-specific schedule in the quotation.

Product samples are provided free of charge; the buyer pays the courier or freight cost. Dispatch timing is confirmed after the sample specification and destination are reviewed.

05 · Reusable enquiry

Copy this panel RFQ template

Replace the bracketed prompts with your requirements. Leave an unknown specification as a question for review.

Subject: Panel RFQ — [panel family] — [destination]

Company and contact: [your details]
Panel family: [plywood / blockboard / OSB]
End use and exposure: [application, load and moisture conditions]
Line items: [length × width × thickness in mm; quantity and unit for each]
Core, face and surface: [requirements or questions to confirm]
Grade / tolerance / test standard: [exact requirement, if applicable]
Documents: [item-level reports, importer or project requirements]
Destination: [country, port and final city]
Quote basis: [FOB / CFR / CIF; named port and requested inclusions]
Loading plan: [single family or mixed container; item quantities]
Packing: [protection, marking or handling requirements]
Sample request: [specification, delivery address and freight preference]
Schedule: [required shipment date and required arrival date separately]

Please confirm the offered specification, price unit, currency,
packing charge, freight/insurance inclusions, production schedule,
payment milestones, quotation validity and any excluded costs.

Send your requirements for a panel quotation

Important limitation

Do not assume that “plywood” or “OSB” automatically determines performance, HS classification or approval. Ask for the actual item to be identified.

RFQ

Use the checklist in your next RFQ

The inquiry form collects these inputs without requiring an SKU.

Prepare a quotation request