This guide gives you a clear order schedule for product specifications, samples, processing, packaging and commercial terms, so quotations can be compared on the same basis.
An MDF RFQ is a request for quotation. Its practical job is to connect each product with a quantity, supplied finish and delivery requirement. A clear request helps your purchasing and production teams understand the same offer, from the board you select to the parts your team receives.
CUZI MDF manufactures and supplies boards and machined parts from our factory in Shuyang, China. You can start with a short inquiry and develop the detailed schedule with us. Use this page to prepare that request, our specification checklist to check the proposed order, and our quotation comparison guide when reviewing returned prices.
Start with six useful details
Your first message can be brief. Give us the information you already have and name the decisions you would like help with:
- Product or application: the MDF board, decorative panel or furniture part you need.
- Thickness and dimensions: identify core or finished thickness, units and the requested supply format.
- Surface and delivered work: plain, faced, painted, cut, drilled, routed or edged, with an available reference.
- Quantity: show a count and unit for each specification, including any trial requirement.
- Destination and timing: country, port or delivery point, plus your target cargo-ready or arrival date.
- Samples and documents: the appearance, fit, performance or destination questions to resolve.
For example, “We make painted cabinet doors for the US market. Please help us select a board for our routed profile, quote the attached sizes and confirm the relevant product documents” gives us a useful starting point. The drawing, finish and order volume then complete the quotation request. An early inquiry can lead to a product recommendation, a sample plan or an indicative offer with its assumptions identified. A formal order uses the agreed specification and commercial terms.
Furniture factories usually begin with component dimensions, finish references and how the parts enter assembly. Distributors can add their thickness and decor mix, expected repeat demand, shipment frequency and price-validity needs. Separate your immediate order from a forecast so we can plan each on its proper basis.
Choose the form of supply you want priced
The same furniture design can be bought as full boards, prepared blanks or machined components. State where our factory's work ends and where your next operation begins. That makes the quoted product easier to compare and helps your production team estimate the work that remains.
| Form of supply | Useful starting point | Information that completes the request |
|---|---|---|
| Plain or sanded sheets | Raw MDF or Sanded MDF | Grade, sheet format, nominal thickness, density or relevant property, supplied surface and quantity by specification |
| Ready-faced sheets | Melamine MDF, Veneered MDF, HPL MDF or PET Faced MDF | Core, face, reverse, finish reference, direction, completed panel thickness and handling protection |
| Rectangular blanks | Cut-to-Size MDF | Part ID, finished length and width, material, tolerance, count, visible face and supplied edge condition |
| Machined parts | CNC MDF Processing or Routed MDF Cabinet Doors | Drawing revision, drilling and routing details, remaining sections, edge work and trial-component scope |
| Curved skins | Flexible MDF | Whole-sheet 3–6 mm MDF with longitudinal bending, original sheet direction, curve reference, support and intended facing or coating |
| Exposed coloured or lighter components | Black MDF or Lightweight MDF | Through-coloured core or reduced-density solid board, selected dimensions, surface treatment, support and fixing requirements |
| Perforated panels and profiles | Perforated MDF or MDF Mouldings | Hole layout, solid borders and support, or moulding cross-section, supply length, end detail and raw, sanded or primed condition |
Each specialist construction has its own specification. Flexible MDF uses a whole thin sheet that bends longitudinally. Grooved or slotted products are identified by their actual machined construction. For perforated panels, describe the complete acoustic assembly when requesting an acoustic result. For mouldings, a cross-section and length schedule communicate the profile more accurately than a general board-thickness description.
If a product remains undecided, provide the component, exposure and finish you are trying to achieve. We can review those requirements with you and return a named construction for consideration. The furniture MDF selection guide helps connect materials with the parts you make.
Build one row for each order line
Give every line a stable ID. A new thickness, grade, decor, reverse construction or machining revision usually needs a separate line. Keep the product requirement beside the requested quantity so a change in one item remains visible throughout quotation and ordering.
| RFQ field | Buyer information | What the offered line should identify |
|---|---|---|
| Line ID and application | A code such as R-01, with the component and service conditions | The same code and intended application |
| Product and grade | Raw, MR, HMR, fire-rated, faced or specialist construction | Actual offered product and grade |
| Dimensions | Thickness basis, length, width and units | Nominal or finished dimensions and their basis |
| Dimensional requirements | Critical sizes, squareness, positions and agreed tolerances | Measurement and acceptance details for those features |
| Material properties | Density or required mechanical, moisture or other property with its method | The selected product specification and applicable report |
| Emission requirement | Required standard, method, destination and supplied construction | Product-specific documentation and its coverage |
| Face and reverse | Decor, texture, gloss, veneer or facing reference and direction | Both sides, layers and any balancing construction |
| Processing and edges | Included cuts, holes, routes, edge treatment and preparation | Work included in the supplied stage |
| Quantity | Whole-sheet or part count, unit and any agreed variation | Quoted count, price unit and associated volume where relevant |
| References and packing | Drawing, sample and pack-plan revisions | The versions used for the offer and package identification |
Our Raw MDF range covers 2–35 mm. That range belongs to Raw MDF; other grades, facings and specialist products use their own dimensions and properties. Density, strength, fixing performance, moisture resistance and fire classification answer separate purchasing questions. Name the property needed for your part and the relevant test or classification.
E0, E0.5 and E1 descriptions should travel with their applicable standard, method and product identity. Add the destination requirement in its own field. Our density guide and certificate and test-report guide help you read those entries.
See how a three-line RFQ can be filled in
This hypothetical RFQ exercise uses three separately identified lines: two plain-sheet specifications and one prepared HPL component. Counts and dimensions are assumed inputs. Confirm MOQ, production batches and the loading plan for your actual order.
Example cover: “RFQ DEMO-03, revision R03. Furniture boards and HPL-faced blanks for protected interiors. Please quote the three lines separately, identify the face and reverse construction for R-03, and confirm sample and production timing. Request FOB Qingdao, Incoterms® 2020, with payment terms and quote validity stated.” Add the actual destination and requested dates when adapting this format.
| Example line | Requested product and dimensions | Requested quantity | Detail carried into the offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-01 | Raw MDF, nominal 18 mm, 1220 × 2440 mm sheets | 480 whole sheets | Grade, selected density, applicable emission requirement, supplied faces and supported sheet packs |
| R-02 | Raw MDF, nominal 6 mm, 1220 × 2440 mm sheets | 240 whole sheets | Grade, selected density, applicable emission requirement and thin-sheet support |
| R-03 | HPL-faced rectangular blanks, 600 × 400 mm finished face size, nominal 18 mm MDF core | 120 production pieces + 6 spares = 126 pieces | HPL series and thickness, reverse, completed thickness and tolerance, direction, raw-cut edges and part label R-03 |
For each rectangular plain board, nominal volume is length × width × thickness, using metres. R-01 uses 1.22 × 2.44 × 0.018 = 0.0535824 m³ per sheet, or 25.719552 m³ for 480 sheets. R-02 uses 1.22 × 2.44 × 0.006 = 0.0178608 m³ per sheet, or 4.286592 m³ for 240 sheets.
R-03 has a nominal core volume of 0.600 × 0.400 × 0.018 = 0.00432 m³ per blank. Multiplying by 126 gives 0.54432 m³ of core geometry. Facing, adhesive, edge work, machining allowance and packing have their own cost and material basis. The parent-sheet requirement follows the actual cutting layout. The part-volume calculation is separate from sheet purchasing quantity, machining price and completed-panel weight.
The two plain-sheet lines contain 720 sheets and a combined nominal board volume of 30.006144 m³. Record R-03 as 126 pieces in its own line. A mixed total in “sheets” would lose that distinction. Use the MDF weight and volume calculator for named board inputs, then confirm packed dimensions and gross weight for shipment planning.
Describe the complete finish and dimensional basis
A face description is most useful when it comes with the reverse, edge and finished size. For decorative boards, include the series or supplier reference, colour or decor code, texture, gloss and physical sample ID. Veneer orders also benefit from species, cut, grain direction, matching sequence and acceptable natural variation.
| Construction detail | RFQ entry to make | Why it helps production and assembly |
|---|---|---|
| Core and permanent layers | MDF grade and thickness, face material and thickness, reverse or balancing layer | Connects the offered build-up with the finished panel |
| Completed dimensions | Finished thickness, length, width and agreed tolerances | Lets your team check slots, edges, hardware and assembly clearances |
| Appearance and direction | Physical reference, visible face, top, grain or pattern direction and part sequence | Keeps adjoining pieces and repeat orders connected to the approved finish |
| Edge and protection | Treatment by side, corner or profile details and removable protective film | Identifies what your team receives and how to handle it |
CUZI's HPL facing range is 0.5–1.2 mm. State the selected thickness for each permanent facing layer; the MDF core thickness and actual completed-panel thickness are separate entries. Confirm finished measurements with the bonding layers and manufacturing tolerances included. Removable protective film is named separately from the permanent decorative construction. Our MDF finishing and processing guide develops this sequence and dimensional detail.
For PET, PVC, acrylic, melamine or another decorative construction, request the particular series and relevant performance. Where abrasion, scratch, heat, moisture or fire performance matters, include the applicable method, classification and product or assembly scope. Use a sample to choose the appearance and the relevant reports to check performance.
Keep drawings, cut lists and samples on the same revision
Choose one controlling unit system and state it on every drawing and schedule. Give the drawing a revision, date and part ID. Define the datum for drilling coordinates, show front and reverse views where needed, and identify mirrored pieces explicitly. Include hole type, diameter, depth, routing section, remaining material and hardware reference for machined components.
| Example attachment | Version or identity | Connection with the RFQ |
|---|---|---|
| RFQ-DEMO-03.xlsx | R03 | Cover, line IDs, quantities and requested commercial response |
| R-03-panel.pdf | R03 | Controlling drawing for finished size, orientation and raw-cut edges |
| R-03-cut-list.xlsx | R03 | Same R-03 ID, 120 production pieces and 6 spares |
| Finish-reference.pdf | SAMPLE-HPL-01 | Physical HPL reference and its recorded colour, texture and gloss |
| Packing-request.pdf | R01 | Proposed separation, supported packs and line labels for review |
These filenames and IDs illustrate an attachment register. Your actual register lists the files being sent and the version used for each line. The CAD file, drawing and cut list should describe the same part. If their dimensions differ, identify the controlling drawing and have the discrepancy resolved in the written response before production.
For a repeat order, quote the previous order and agreed sample reference, then list the changes. A changed decor, reverse, hole position, quantity or packaging plan receives its own current instruction. The CNC specification guide explains drawing and machining details; the cut-to-size guide covers rectangular part schedules.
Our inquiry form starts the conversation with a short message. Mention your file names and revisions there. You can email drawings, cut lists and finish references to sales@cuzimdf.com, keeping the same RFQ ID in the subject and schedule.
Request documents for the actual product and destination
A useful document request names the question, the supplied product and when the file is needed. Qualification files, test results, product classifications and shipment records serve different purposes. List them beside the relevant order line so the offered product and supporting file can be reviewed together.
| Document question | Information to put in the RFQ | What to review in the response |
|---|---|---|
| US formaldehyde requirements | Product category, supplied construction, destination and applicable TSCA Title VI requirements | Producer and product identity, applicable certification, test records, labelling and purchasing or shipment records |
| EU formaldehyde requirements | Intended furniture or wood-based article, construction and applicable REACH requirement | Test basis and coverage for the supplied product and intended article, with the relevant current requirement |
| Moisture or mechanical property | Grade, component condition, required property and method | Product identity, conditioning, measured item and applicable result |
| Fire classification | Required classification, destination and complete board or assembly construction | Report and classification scope, including facing, backing, bonding and installation where relevant |
| Responsible wood sourcing | Requested claim and order-document requirement | Relevant certificate coverage and the agreed claim on sales and shipment documents |
| Quality and shipment records | Inspection items, labels, packing list and required timing | Records connected with the actual batch and shipment |
For US regulated composite-wood products, EPA's programme includes certification, labelling and recordkeeping requirements. Use EPA's regulated-stakeholder guidance and our TSCA Title VI MDF checklist to specify the product and documentation question. A general emission-class label and a destination programme's documentation have distinct roles.
For EU furniture and wood-based articles, the formaldehyde restriction under Regulation (EU) 2023/1464 applies from 6 August 2026, subject to its scope and exceptions. State the applicable article and test requirements in the RFQ, and review their match with the supplied construction. Our EU buyer document guide helps assemble those questions. We can help you find the relevant documents for your order.
Specify samples, first components and inspection
Name the decision each sample should help you make: board identity, colour, texture, gloss, grain, profile, prepared edge, hardware fit or complete component. Include the sample ID, size, count, delivery address and requested review date. A small decor swatch can establish a colour reference; a representative finished component lets your team review machining, edges, finish and fit together.
Product samples are free and usually available from stock. The buyer pays the courier charge, which can be credited against the formal order amount. We confirm the requested sample, availability, preparation and estimated transit time before dispatch. For a custom machined or finished trial part, agree the supplied operations, any preparation or setup scope, and its schedule in the sample plan.
Record sample approval with its identity and the decision it covers. Then define the first production component or set, the measurements and appearance checks, and the point when repeat production can proceed. See our sample approval guide for moving from a surface reference to the first component.
Buyer-arranged third-party inspection is supported. Give the inspection stage, product lines, measurement items, sampling arrangement, reference files and required report timing. Confirm access and inspection readiness with us so the visit fits production and packing. The pre-shipment inspection checklist develops the shipment-stage checks.
Give packing and loading enough context
Include receiving equipment, forklift access, bundle-size or weight limits and the order in which your team will unpack the goods. Specify clean separators, face protection, covers, corners, support, wrapping, strap pressure and labels according to the actual boards or components. A finished furniture set may need room, cabinet or assembly-sequence labels; full-sheet orders need specification and batch identity.
For mixed products or decors, request quantity and pack information for every line. Identify parts that can share a pack and parts that need separate protection. List production pieces, spares, samples and first components separately. Agreed quantity variation should be recorded beside the line to which it applies.
Container quantity depends on the product dimensions, density, construction, pack size and permitted gross cargo weight. Request the proposed count, net weight, packaging weight and gross weight, plus packed dimensions and the loading arrangement. A CBM total is one planning input; the supported packs and weight limits complete the plan. Our container-loading guide and MDF packaging guide cover those details.
Name the delivery term and separate the dates
CUZI MDF quotes FOB for the agreed shipment, normally through Lianyungang or Qingdao. Write the rule, named port and requested version, such as FOB Qingdao, Incoterms® 2020, or CIF with the actual destination port. Request a clear account of included origin costs, freight, insurance and destination charges.
FOB and CIF are sea or inland-waterway terms. Under both rules, risk transfers when the goods are on board the vessel at the shipment port. CIF includes seller-arranged freight and insurance to the named destination port, with cover and costs reviewed for the shipment. Import clearance, duties and local delivery receive their own agreed allocation. Align the term with the actual handover and transport arrangement. The ICC's sea-transport rules explain these distinctions, including consideration of FCA for a container-terminal handover.
Our normal production lead time is 3–10 days after specifications and commercial terms are confirmed. Sample preparation and review, inspection, booking, ocean transit and destination delivery have their own schedules. State a cargo-ready target and an arrival target separately, with the event each date represents.
- RFQ response and clarification of the offered specification.
- Sample or first-component review, where requested.
- Agreed order, drawings, finish and commercial conditions for production release.
- Production and the confirmed inspection-ready date.
- Packing and cargo-ready date.
- Shipment handover, sailing and estimated transit.
- Destination clearance and local receiving arrangements.
T/T or L/C payment terms are agreed for the order. Request the actual payment milestones and any L/C document requirements in the written quotation. The lead-time planning guide and Global Supply page connect these dates with our factory's supply arrangements.
Ask for a reply you can turn into an order
Our formal quotation identifies the specifications, quantity, price and currency, packaging, delivery term and named port, production lead time, payment terms and validity. Request alternatives on separate lines with their changed material, dimensions, finish, processing or quantity. The response can then be reviewed against the original requirement without losing the differences.
| Buyer request | Factory response to identify | Purchasing decision |
|---|---|---|
| Product and dimensional schedule | Offered construction, dimensions, tolerances and quantity for each ID | Match the actual supplied product with the component |
| Processing and finish | Included operations, face and reverse, edges and references | Confirm the work received and work remaining |
| Documents and samples | File or sample identity, scope and confirmed availability or timing | Complete the specified product and appearance review |
| Price and delivery | Price unit, currency, line amount, included packing and transport costs | Compare the same supply and delivery scope |
| Production and commercial terms | Release conditions, milestones, payment terms and validity | Confirm the purchase and shipment plan |
If an item still needs selection, record the proposed option and its assumption. Ask the reply to show “quoted as requested”, “proposed alternative” or “needs buyer confirmation” for the relevant line. Once agreed, carry the selected specification, drawing and sample revisions into the purchase order and first-component check. Our ordering process describes that next step.
You can download the blank MDF RFQ workbook, Version 2026-10-06. It provides empty buyer-input and factory-reply columns for specifications and cut lists. The workbook is optional; an email, existing purchasing schedule or short inquiry can begin the same conversation. Its inputs stay blank for your own requirements.
Before sending the detailed request, gather these nine items:
- RFQ ID, revision, contact details, destination and requested response date.
- Product lines, applications, grades and dimensions with their units.
- Quantity by specification, with samples, production pieces and spares identified.
- Face, reverse, edge, finish and physical-reference requirements.
- Drawings, cut lists, part IDs and the current attachment register.
- Product properties, destination requirements and requested documents.
- Samples, first-component review and inspection arrangements.
- Packing, labels, receiving constraints and loading information.
- Delivery term and named port, target dates, price unit and requested commercial response.
Our normal MOQ is 1 × 20'GP for each individual specification. Send the proposed product mix and quantities so we can confirm the applicable order arrangement for the quoted products. We reply to inquiries within 12 hours. Send your MDF quotation request, request product samples or request product documents directly from this guide. Start with what you know; we help you complete the details that make the offer useful to your team.
Questions buyers ask
What is an MDF RFQ?
It is a request for quotation for specified boards, decorative panels or MDF components. Give each product a line with dimensions, supplied stage, quantity and destination, then add the finish, documents, samples and commercial terms needed for your purchase. The reply identifies the offered product and price on that basis.
What can I send before I have a complete specification?
Send the application, sizes, finish, approximate quantity and destination you already know. List the choices you want help with, such as grade, reverse construction or machining stage. We can review them with you and identify the assumptions behind an initial recommendation or indicative offer.
Can one RFQ include several thicknesses, decors or products?
Yes. Use a separate line for every specification and keep its quantity and reference beside it. Identify the proposed shipment groups. Our normal MOQ is 1 × 20'GP per individual specification, and the quoted order arrangement is confirmed for the actual product mix and quantities.
Should I request MDF by sheet, cubic metre or finished part?
Use whole-sheet counts and the specified dimensions for full boards, with the nominal volume where helpful. Use finished-part counts and drawing references for prepared components. Ask the quotation to identify its price unit. Part volume, parent-sheet quantity, completed-panel dimensions and processing price each retain their own basis.
How should I specify an HPL MDF thickness?
Name the MDF core, selected 0.5–1.2 mm HPL face thickness and the reverse or balancing layer. Specify the actual completed thickness and tolerance needed for assembly, including bonding and manufacturing variation. Identify removable protective film separately and include the physical finish reference.
Which documents should a US or EU RFQ request?
Tell us the product, intended use and delivery destination. Request the applicable product and programme documents, test coverage, labels and shipment records. US TSCA Title VI and EU REACH requirements have their own scope. The destination checklists linked above help you prepare a specific document schedule.
Are product samples free, and when can they be sent?
Product samples are free and generally stocked. The buyer pays courier cost, creditable against a formal order. We confirm the sample, preparation and estimated transit before dispatch. We will give you a preparation date for custom samples.
What delivery, payment and inspection terms can CUZI MDF offer?
We quote FOB for the agreed shipment, normally from Lianyungang or Qingdao, with T/T or L/C terms confirmed in writing. Buyer-arranged third-party inspection is supported against the agreed order and inspection plan. The quote lists what is included, the schedule and how long the price is valid.
How quickly will I receive a reply and my order?
We reply to inquiries within 12 hours. Normal production lead time is 3–10 days after specifications and commercial terms are confirmed. Samples, approval, inspection, booking and transport have their separately confirmed schedules, so your cargo-ready and arrival targets can be planned clearly.