Address
No. 3F07, Tao Cube, No.68, CCIH, Jihua West Road,Chancheng District, Foshan City, Guangdong, China.
How to Place Your First Order for Wood Look Porcelain Tile from China – Kenya Buyer’s Checklist
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You have decided to import wood look porcelain tile from China for your Kenya project. Now comes the practical part: turning a specification sheet into a container that lands safely in Mombasa. This checklist is written for importers, distributors, and specifiers who are ready to place a real order – not for browsers. Every step is based on 20+ years of factory experience at Contigo Ceramics in Foshan, Guangdong. Skip the generic advice; here is exactly what you need to do.
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1. What You Need to Have Ready Before Requesting a Quote
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A proforma invoice is only as good as the information you provide. Many Kenyan buyers waste weeks going back and forth because they forgot to specify rectification, shade variation, or carton weight. Before you email us at /contact-us/, prepare the following:
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- Exact size and finish. Wood look porcelain tile comes in planks (150x900mm, 200x1200mm) and squares (600x600mm with woodgrain). State whether you need rectified edges (for minimal grout lines) or non-rectified (for rustic look).
- Surface type. Glazed wood look (most common, easy to clean) or through-body (color extends through the tile, better for high-traffic). See our glazed tile range.
- Quality grade. First-quality (only for export) or commercial seconds? We only ship first-quality (ISO 10545 and TCNA/ANSI A137.1 compliant).
- Total square meters. A standard 20ft container holds approximately 1,000m² of 150x900mm planks packed in cartons (6-8 planks per box, ~1.5m² per box). For larger formats (200x1200mm) the yield drops to ~850m² per container. Confirm your project area plus 10% waste for cuts.
- Target FOB price per m². As a factory, we quote FOB Foshan/Huangpu port. Current benchmark for first-quality glazed wood look porcelain tile is USD 4.80–6.50/m² (depending on size, decoration complexity, and quantity).
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2. How to Read and Compare Proforma Invoices – Real Example
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A proforma invoice (PI) is a legally binding document. In Kenya, you will use it for L/C opening and customs declarations. Below is a typical PI for wood look porcelain tile from Contigo Ceramics:
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| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Product | Glazed wood look porcelain tile, rectified, natural oak, size 150x900mm, thickness 10mm |
| Quantity | 1,008 m² (28 pallets, 7,200 cartons) |
| Unit Price | USD 5.20/m² FOB Huangpu |
| Total Amount | USD 5,241.60 |
| Payment Terms | 30% T/T deposit, 70% T/T before shipment |
| Delivery | 28 days after deposit |
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When comparing quotes from different factories, check three things: (a) Are the tiles tested to ISO 10545 (water absorption ≤0.5%, PEI 3-4)? (b) Is the shade variation V2 or V3? V2 is ideal for commercial floors; V3 is more rustic. (c) Does the price include neutral cartons or branded packaging? Contigo always includes neutral cartons with full product markings. Ask for a copy of the test report before signing the PI.
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3. Payment Structure: 30% Deposit / 70% Before Shipment
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This is the industry standard for factory-direct porcelain tile from China. Here is why it works for both sides:
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- 30% deposit covers raw material procurement and kiln firing. For a typical 20ft container order (USD 5,000–6,500), the deposit is ~USD 1,700. This signals you are a serious buyer.
- 70% before shipment is paid after you receive photos or video of the loaded container, plus the bill of lading draft. The factory has no incentive to ship defective goods because they want the remaining 70%.
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Never agree to 100% upfront. And never ask for 50/50 unless you are a returning customer. The 30/70 split is standard for first-time Kenya imports. All payments are made via T/T to our corporate bank account in China. We do not accept PayPal or Western Union for container orders.
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4. MOQ Explained – One Container?
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The minimum order quantity (MOQ) for wood look porcelain tile from Contigo is one 20ft container. That equates to roughly 1,000m² for standard planks (150x900mm). Why not less? Because a single container is the most cost-effective way to ship tiles. Less-than-container-load (LCL) often costs more per m² and increases the risk of damage.
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Is 1,000m² right for your project? If you are tiling a 200m² house, you would order one container and sell the extra tiles to other contractors or stock them for future use. Many Kenyan distributors buy one container of wood look, one of large-format (see our large-format collection), and combine shipping. If you need only 500m², consider partnering with another importer. The MOQ is firm – our kiln is designed for continuous production, and stopping for less than a container increases waste.
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5. Shipping to Kenya: FOB vs CIF, Insurance, Customs Broker
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You have two main options from Foshan/Huangpu to Mombasa (or Nairobi via ICD):
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| Incoterm | What is included | Typical cost (per container) |
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| FOB Huangpu | Export customs clearance, loading on vessel | USD 150–250 (you pay ocean freight, insurance, Kenya clearance) |
| CIF Mombasa | FOB + ocean freight + marine insurance (110% of cargo value) | USD 1,800–2,400 (insurance is ~0.4% of total value) |
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Most first-time Kenya buyers choose CIF Mombasa. It simplifies logistics: you only need to arrange customs clearance and inland transport. However, if you already have a freight forwarder, FOB gives you more control. We recommend using a licensed Kenya customs broker who understands KRA classification (HS code 6907.21.00 for glazed porcelain tiles). Duties are around 25% (import duty + VAT) – always confirm current rates with your broker.
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6. Pre-Shipment Inspection: What to Check Before the Container Leaves Foshan
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You cannot examine the goods in person unless you visit our factory (welcome anytime). But you can (and should) request a third-party inspection or ask us to send a factory video. Here is the checklist:
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- Color consistency. Compare tiles from different cartons under natural light. Wood look must have controlled shade variation (V2).
- Rectification tolerance. For rectified planks, the edge deviation must be ≤0.5mm. Use a caliper.
- Water absorption test. Factory can show you the ISO 10545 test: weight after 24h water immersion should increase <0.5%.
- Packing condition. Cartons must be strapped and shrink-wrapped on pallets. No loose cartons.
- MOQ accuracy. Confirm total m² matches the PI. We weigh every pallet to ensure the count.
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If you use a third-party inspector (e.g., SGS, Bureau Veritas), we will cover the cost of providing samples. The inspection report is your final green light to release the 70% balance.
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7. FAQ – Kenya Importers Ask
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What are the payment terms for first-time orders?
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30% T/T deposit, 70% T/T before shipment. We do not offer open account for first orders. For repeat buyers we can negotiate 30/70 against B/L copy.
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How long does shipping take from China to Kenya?
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Production takes 25–35 days after deposit. Ocean transit from Huangpu to Mombasa is 15–35 days depending on the shipping line (direct or transshipment via Port of Tanjung Pelepas). Total lead time: 40–70 days.
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What documents do I need for Kenya customs clearance?
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We provide: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading / sea waybill, certificate of origin (China), fumigation certificate for pallets, and ISO 10545 test report. Your broker will also need a KRA PIN.
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Can I get samples before ordering?
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Yes. We ship samples via DHL/FedEx to Nairobi within 5 days. The cost is approx. USD 30–60 (we absorb the sample cost; you pay courier).
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Are your tiles suitable for Kenya’s climate?
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Porcelain tile is frost-proof (ISO 10545-12) and low water absorption, so it works well in both humid coastal areas and highland regions. For outdoor use, see our outdoor tile line with slip-resistant R10 rating.
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External Reference: ISO 10545 ceramic tile standards
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8. Ready to Place Your First Order?
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By now you know exactly what to prepare, how to read a PI, and what to inspect. The next step is straightforward: send your requirements to /contact-us/. Include the size, finish, quantity, and your target FOB price. We will send a proforma invoice within 24 hours with today’s pricing and a confirmed production slot.
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For further reading on standards, refer to the ISO 10545 series for ceramic tile test methods and TCNA (Tile Council of North America) for installation guidelines. Our tiles also meet ANSI A137.1 requirements – we can email the compliance statement on request.
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Minimum order: one 20ft container (approx. 1,000m²). FOB Huangpu port. 30% deposit. 28-day production. Let’s get your first container rolling.