Cat Litter Factory Quote Checklist: 16 Checks Before You Pay
Who this is for: importers and private label buyers comparing cat litter factory quotes — and anyone who has ever received two prices that could not be compared. Two quotes for the "same" product can differ on density basis, packaging, port terms and payment structure, which makes the lower unit price meaningless until every line item is on the table.
This checklist is grouped into four stages: price breakdown (4 checks), commercial terms (4 checks), product and packaging (4 checks), and verification and contract (4 checks). Every check names the clause or document to request, so you can run it against any quote without trusting the salesperson's word. We send our own quotes against this same checklist — a quote that passes it is a quote we can stand behind.
Stage 1 — Price Breakdown (4 checks)
A unit price with no basis is a number, not a quote. Four checks make it a price — and remember that price is only half the picture: inland logistics and mine location can move your landed cost more than the factory price itself (see our sourcing analysis).
| # | Check | What to request / do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trade term stated | EXW, FOB or CIF — and the port. FOB Qingdao and FOB Shanghai are not the same price; CIF with an unnamed port is not a price |
| 2 | Unit price itemized | Ask for the breakdown: bare litter, packaging, loading — so you can see what changes when you switch bag type or pallet |
| 3 | Density basis on the quote | kg or L — and the loose bulk density it assumes. See our liters vs kilograms explainer for why this decides whether two quotes are even comparable |
| 4 | Testing and certificate fees | Are third-party testing (CTI, SGS), HALAL/ISO certificates included or extra? Name the line item either way |
Stage 2 — Commercial Terms (4 checks)
The commercial terms decide what the price actually costs you in cash flow and risk.
| # | Check | What to request / do |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | MOQ defined precisely | Per SKU, per color, per packaging, or per shipment? Five different definitions exist — see our MOQ guide for each one |
| 6 | Sample and courier fees | Sample cost (refundable against first order?) and courier cost — stated in writing, not absorbed silently |
| 7 | Exchange-rate basis | Reference rate and a band (e.g. 6.76 RMB/USD with a defined re-quote threshold) so currency movement does not land on one side of the deal |
| 8 | Payment structure | Typical first-order structure: 30% deposit with order, 70% before shipment against packing list and loading documents. TT for containers, LC for repeat programs |
Stage 3 — Product and Packaging (4 checks)
The price applies to a specification. These four checks pin the specification down.
| # | Check | What to request / do |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Formula matches TDS | The quoted product must match the TDS reference ranges (material, particle size, density, moisture) — not "same as sample, don't worry" |
| 10 | Packaging spec and cost | Bag size, film, valve or sealed, handle style, carton — and the price delta when you change any of them |
| 11 | Container loading plan | Cartons per 20GP/40HQ for your SKU. Example: a 6 kg bentonite line fits roughly 1,650–1,680 cartons per 20GP on a weight-restricted port like Hamad — verify the math against your own density |
| 12 | Pallet configuration | Asian standard 1100×1100 vs ISO/Chilean 1200×1000 pallets change carton counts and downstream handling — confirm which one the loading plan assumes |
Stage 4 — Verification and Contract (4 checks)
The quote is a promise; the verification chain and contract make it enforceable.
| # | Check | What to request / do |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Batch COA commitment | A COA per shipment with batch number, test methods and measured values — see how to read a cat litter COA for the eight indicators |
| 14 | Third-party inspection option | CTI or SGS pre-shipment inspection on request, and who pays if the batch is out of spec |
| 15 | Lead time and delay clause | Production lead time from deposit, and what happens on late shipment (who absorbs the freight difference) |
| 16 | Contract references the documents | The contract should bind the quote's assumptions: reference range + method, batch COA rule, measurement point (loading vs destination). The full 18-point quality checklist is in our private label QC checklist |
Copy-Paste RFQ Template (Send This to Any Factory)
Rather than writing a paragraph and hoping the factory answers every line, send a structured RFQ. Copy this block and replace the placeholders — the 16 checks above are what the answers must satisfy:
RFQ — Cat Litter (please answer each line)
1. Product: [tofu / bentonite / cassava / silica / mixed] — target density range if known.
2. Quote basis: EXW / FOB / CIF — state port. Unit price per kg and per L, with the loose bulk density assumed.
3. Packaging: bag size [2L / 6kg / 10L / 20L], film type, handle, carton spec — unit cost per pack and per carton.
4. MOQ: per SKU / per color / per packaging / per shipment? Mixed-container options?
5. Payment: structure, deposit %, balance trigger, T/T or L/C.
6. Lead time: sample, production after deposit, and your current production window.
7. Documents included: batch COA with methods, TDS, certificate of origin, ISO/HALAL scope statement.
8. Third-party testing: CTI or SGS available? Cost, and scheduling window inside production.
9. Exchange-rate basis: reference rate and re-quote threshold.
10. Please attach: current TDS, a sample batch COA, and a container loading plan for my SKU.
When you send this template, the factory's answers are the checklist items 1–16. If any line comes back vague — "price depends" or "we will discuss later" — that is exactly the line that would have surprised you at contract stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a cat litter factory quote include?
Unit price with the specification it applies to, trade term and port, packaging cost, MOQ, sample and testing fees, payment terms, lead time, and the documents included (batch COA, TDS, certificates). If any line is missing, the quote is not yet comparable.
Should cat litter be quoted in kilograms or liters?
Ask for both, because bulk density differs by material. A per-kilogram price on a 597 g/L tofu litter is not comparable to one on a 950 g/L bentonite product. A quote that states the loose bulk density and shows both units is the one you can compare.
What is a realistic MOQ for private label cat litter?
A 20-foot container is the common first-order unit for private label programs (about 1,650–1,680 cartons for a 6 kg bentonite line at 20.8 tons on weight-restricted ports); some factories offer smaller trial MOQs for startups. Confirm which MOQ definition is meant before comparing.
Are sample and testing fees normal in cat litter quotes?
Yes — sample fees, courier, third-party testing (CTI/SGS) and certificate fees are legitimate line items that should be stated in writing. A quote that names them is more predictable than one that hides them.
How do I protect against currency fluctuation in a quote?
Ask for the exchange-rate basis and a band with a re-quote threshold (for example 6.76 RMB/USD). Without a stated basis, the rate risk sits entirely on one side of the deal.
What payment terms are standard for cat litter containers?
30% deposit with the order and 70% before shipment against packing list and loading documents is a common first-order structure; TT for containers, LC for repeat programs. Be cautious of full prepayment before production evidence.
Cat Litter COA: 8 Indicators for Importers — how to audit batch test data
Cat Litter Liters vs Kilograms — unit conversion and RFQ fields
Cat Litter Bulk Density — g/L, container math, loose vs tapped
Cat Litter MOQ Explained — five MOQ definitions
Private Label QC Checklist — 18 checks before you commit
Cat Litter Low-Tracking Verification — four-test protocol
SilkPet Tofu Page — four-stage QC process and CTI batch data
Cat Litter Sourcing — why the cheapest factory price often costs the most
Cat Litter Supplier Claim Verification — mapping claims to evidence
Cat Litter Testing Before Export — the 16-point pre-shipment protocol
