Sourcing Guide
How B2B Appliance Pricing Works
What actually determines the price of a travel iron or garment steamer from a Chinese factory — so you can compare quotes with confidence.
Quick Answer
B2B appliance prices are specification-driven: model, configuration, quantity, certification and incoterm all change the number. To compare quotes fairly, request the price ladder across quantities and always compare on the same incoterm (FOB vs CIF/DDP).
Why There Is No Public Price List
B2B appliance pricing is specification-driven: the same model can vary in price depending on power configuration, plug type, certification, packaging and order quantity. Publishing one number would be misleading for every other configuration. That is why serious manufacturers quote per project — and why the quality of your brief determines the quality of the quote you receive.
The Four Cost Drivers
Materials & Structure
Soleplate material (ceramic, stainless, aluminum), water tank size, heating element power and body materials drive the base cost. Higher-power and multi-function models cost more to build.
Certifications
CE, RoHS, CB and ETL testing and marking add compliance costs. Certified models are typically slightly more expensive but required for EU and North American markets.
Customization
Custom colors, logo printing, bespoke packaging, multi-language manuals and special plug configurations add incremental costs compared to standard configurations.
Quantity & Logistics
Larger orders unlock better per-unit pricing, and shipping mode (air vs sea) significantly affects landed cost. Quotes are usually FOB or CIF/CFR.
How to Compare Quotes Fairly
- 1Compare like-for-like: same model, same power, same certification, same packaging spec.
- 2Confirm the incoterm — FOB vs CIF/CFR changes what is included in the unit price.
- 3Ask for the price ladder across quantities, not a single price point.
- 4Check what is excluded: customs duties, inland freight and bank fees often appear later.
- 5Verify the supplier is a factory, not a trading company — compare itemized factory-direct quotes.
Get an Itemized Factory-Direct Quote
Send us your model, quantity, destination and customization needs — you'll receive an itemized quotation and, for OEM projects, a 3D mockup of your branding. No middleman margins, no hidden lines.