| 1 | Product authenticity and traceability | 18% | Whether the supplier can establish product origin and maintain traceability from purchase through delivery. | Traceable quotations and invoices, packaging and label details, lot or date-code records where applicable, and confirmation through the relevant manufacturer channel. |
| 2 | Product knowledge and specification accuracy | 14% | Ability to match requested part numbers, revisions, accessories, and technical specifications without unsupported substitutions. | Written quotation with exact part numbers, datasheets or product documentation, and written approval for any proposed equivalent or substitution. |
| 3 | Quality management and corrective action | 12% | Documented processes for handling quality issues, nonconforming goods, complaints, and corrective actions. | Quality-management documentation, inspection or incoming-check procedures, and examples of the supplier’s documented issue-resolution process. Verify any certification with its issuer. |
| 4 | Export experience and shipping capability | 12% | Experience arranging international shipments and providing complete, consistent export and shipping documents. | Sample commercial invoice and packing list with sensitive details removed, carrier options, shipment milestones, and a written agreement on the applicable Incoterms® 2020 rule and named place. |
| 5 | Lead-time and stock transparency | 10% | Clarity about whether quoted goods are in stock, allocated, backordered, or subject to a supplier lead time. | Dated stock and lead-time confirmation, order acknowledgements, partial-shipment options, and prompt notice of changes. |
| 6 | Regulatory and product-document support | 10% | Ability to provide relevant product compliance documents for the destination market and intended application. | Applicable declarations or material-compliance information, such as RoHS or REACH documentation where relevant; confirm scope, product coverage, and current revision. |
| 7 | Customs and classification support | 8% | Readiness to provide accurate product descriptions and supporting shipment data for customs review. | Consistent product descriptions, country-of-origin information where available, and proposed HS classification for review. The importer should verify classification and import requirements with the appropriate customs authority or broker. |
| 8 | Commercial terms and payment safeguards | 6% | Clarity of pricing, currency, payment timing, taxes, freight, and other charges, with payment methods appropriate to the order risk. | Itemized quotation, written payment terms, clear treatment of freight and taxes, and independently verified business and payment details. |
| 9 | Warranty, returns, and dispute handling | 5% | Clear procedures and time limits for reporting shortages, transit damage, incorrect items, or suspected defects. | Written warranty and return terms, claim-submission requirements, responsibility for return freight, and a defined escalation contact. |
| 10 | Communication and order documentation | 5% | Responsiveness, clarity, and consistency across quotations, order confirmations, shipment updates, and after-sales communication. | Named business contact, written response and update process, and documentation that consistently identifies the order and supplied items. |