Before you pay your overseas supplier, check the deal.
Got an Alibaba, Chinese or overseas supplier quotation? BowerPoint checks the commercial terms behind the headline price before you commit a deposit or balance payment.
For businesses buying overseas worldwide. You can redact supplier contact details before uploading.
A cheap quote can become an expensive order.
Independent commercial review. BowerPoint does not sell freight or take supplier commission.
A second pair of eyes before money leaves your account.
The free QuickCheck is designed for the point where you already have a quote or proforma invoice and need to know what to question before proceeding.
Upload the quote
Send the supplier quotation or PI. Tell us what you are buying and your main concern.
We check the commercial terms
We look for quote inconsistencies, Incoterm gaps, payment-term issues, MOQ/packaging questions and missing commercial detail.
Know what to clarify
Your QuickCheck highlights what looks reasonable and what should be clarified before you commit.
More than the unit price.
Quote consistency
Unit price, quantity, MOQ, tooling or setup charges, packaging and obvious discrepancies.
Incoterms & inclusions
EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP and whether the named place and supplier responsibilities are clear.
Payment terms
Deposit/balance split, payment triggers and commercial points worth querying before payment.
Lead time
When production starts, what the quoted lead time means and whether timing language is clear.
Comparing suppliers
Helping make different quotations more like-for-like rather than choosing on headline price alone.
Commercial gaps
Missing information that could change the real deal or create a surprise later.
How to check an Alibaba supplier quotation before paying a deposit
A supplier quotation or proforma invoice can look straightforward until you compare what is included, when payment is due and who is responsible for transport. Use these six questions before accepting a quote from China or another overseas supplier.
1. What exactly is being supplied?
Confirm the product specification, unit of measure, quantity, minimum order quantity (MOQ), samples, tooling and packaging. Ask for a revised quote if descriptions differ.
2. Is the Incoterm complete?
EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP can involve different costs and responsibilities. Ask for the named port or place and the applicable Incoterms version rather than relying on three letters alone.
3. What is excluded from the price?
Clarify freight, insurance, origin charges, destination charges, duties, taxes, customs clearance and delivery where relevant. A lower unit price does not always mean a lower total cost.
4. When is the balance payable?
Check the deposit percentage, balance trigger and documents or inspection evidence expected before final payment. Make sure the payment schedule is written clearly.
5. What does the lead time start from?
Does production start after deposit, sample approval or artwork confirmation? Distinguish production time from shipping and final delivery time.
6. Can you compare quotes fairly?
Compare the same quantities, specifications, packaging, currency, Incoterm, destination and payment conditions. Record differences before choosing a supplier.
Already have a quotation? Send it for a free BowerPoint QuickCheck to identify commercial points worth clarifying.
Want a printable-style checklist? Read our step-by-step Alibaba supplier quotation checklist before paying a deposit.
Importing into Australia? Read our guide to costs when importing from China to Australia.
Have a quote in front of you?
Send it before you pay. The initial QuickCheck is free while we validate the service with real importer quotations.
Upload a supplier quote or proforma invoice and include the supplier country, destination, approximate order value, Incoterm and payment terms if you know them.
Privacy: remove or redact any information you do not want to share.
Start your free QuickCheck
No payment is required for the initial review.
Upload my supplier quoteCommercial procurement review only — not legal, customs, tax, supplier-verification or product-compliance advice.
Before you submit
Is the initial supplier quote check really free?
Yes. The initial QuickCheck is free while we validate the service. There is no payment required to submit a quotation. Any more detailed paid review would be discussed separately.
Can you check an Alibaba proforma invoice before I pay?
Yes. You can upload an Alibaba or other overseas supplier quote or proforma invoice and tell us what concerns you about the commercial terms.
Do you verify whether a supplier is legitimate?
No. QuickCheck reviews the commercial quotation and terms supplied to us; it is not a supplier-verification service.
Can I send more than one quote?
Yes. If you are comparing suppliers, include that in your question. A fuller comparison can be offered after the initial QuickCheck where appropriate.
Is this customs or legal advice?
No. Formal customs classification, duty, tax, legal, compliance and regulated-product questions should be confirmed with the appropriate specialist.