How to Read Chinese Furniture Factory Catalogs and Price Lists

A Chinese furniture factory catalog looks straightforward, but the price list is rarely what it seems. The figure on the page is often a starting number that leaves out the material grade, the finish, the MOQ, and the terms. For a buyer who reads a catalog literally, the quoted price can be misleading. This guide explains how to read a Chinese furniture catalog and price list, so you know what the number actually buys and what to confirm before you compare quotes.

What the catalog is really showing

A factory catalog shows the design and the base description of a product. It tells you what the item looks like and its range of sizes, but it does not tell you the material grade, the fabric or the finish that the quoted price covers. Two “same” sofas in a catalog can have very different prices because one is a standard foam and fabric and the other is a premium build. The catalog is a starting point for a conversation, not a finished specification.

The price list is even more conditional, because it is usually quoted for a base configuration at a given MOQ.

The four things a price list leaves out

Four things drive a Chinese furniture price up or down and are rarely on the list. The material grade: a standard wood, an engineered panel and a solid hardwood each price differently. The finish or upholstery: the fabric, foam density and surface treatment change the cost. The MOQ: a large order gets a lower unit price and a small order pays a premium. And the terms: the Incoterm and the payment split move the landed cost. A price list that does not state these is incomplete.

The design vs the price gap

Because the price depends on the build, a buyer has to match the price to a specification rather than to a photo. Ask for the price at a specific material, finish, size and MOQ, so the number is comparable. The trade terms that a factory quotes are set out by the ICC Incoterms 2020 rules, which define who pays for freight, insurance and customs. When a price list says FOB or CIF, that term is a key part of what the number means.

Ask for a spec sheet, not just a price

The reliable way to compare is to ask for a spec sheet alongside the price: the material, the dimensions, the finish, the foam density, the MOQ and the terms. A factory that can provide a clear spec sheet is easier to compare and less likely to surprise you. A price with no spec is a quote for an unknown product, and comparing two unknown products is a guess. See our guide to sourcing sofas and sectionals and how a drop-ship programme is set up.

Spotting the red flags

A few signs in a catalog or price list should make you pause. A price quoted without a material or finish grade, a price that is suspiciously below the market, an MOQ that is vague, a price list with no terms, and a catalog that has no quality or certification mention. These are not deal-breakers on their own, but they are a reason to ask more. A credible factory will answer a technical question about the build rather than just repeat the price.

Using the catalog to shortlist

Use the catalog to shortlist by design and range, then use a spec-and-price request to compare on an equal basis. A catalog tells you what a factory can make; a spec sheet tells you what the quote actually buys. A buyer who reads a catalog as a design directory and confirms the spec separately gets a real comparison.

For the sourcing and solution range behind this guide, see our sourcing solutions page.

FAQ

Does a Chinese furniture catalog show the real price?

No. The catalog shows the design, while the price list is a starting number for a base configuration at a given MOQ. The material grade, finish and terms are usually not on the list.

What does a Chinese furniture price list leave out?

It usually leaves out the material grade, the finish or upholstery, the MOQ, and the terms. These drive the price up or down and are needed to compare quotes on an equal basis.

How do I compare two Chinese furniture quotes?

Ask for a spec sheet alongside each price: the material, dimensions, finish, foam density, MOQ and terms. Then compare the landed cost, not just the unit price.

Why does the Incoterm matter on a price list?

The Incoterm, set by the ICC, defines who pays for freight, insurance and customs. A price quote as FOB vs CIF or DDP is a different landed cost, so the term is part of what the number means.