For US, EU and other import buyers sourcing catalog squishies on an EXW basis, choose the mixed-carton offer with documented units, assortment and costs—not simply the lowest headline price. Score each supplier against the same requests for product identity, price, MOQ, packing, destination-market records, QC and replenishment. Treat mixed cartons as a proposal until the supplier confirms the exact contents in writing; a complete quote earns comparison, not automatic approval.
How should you score a squishy mixed-carton quote?
Score response completeness with a proposed 0–2 scale: 0 for omitted or contradictory information, 1 for a partial answer or unsupported assurance, and 2 for a complete answer backed by the relevant quote, packing record, sample or document.
The eight checks below produce a maximum completeness score of 16. This is a buyer-designed worksheet, not a supplier ranking, safety rating or predictor of sales. Use the same requested assortment, destination and purchasing terms for every supplier.
Ask for separate lines for unit prices, packaging, testing, freight terms and any applicable tooling or customization charges. That makes offers comparable without hiding setup costs inside a cheap-looking piece price. Importivity
Which supplier responses earn a complete score?
| 1. Product identity and assortment | Request: item identifiers, photos, dimensions, construction and quantities by design or color. Accept: every quoted line matches the requested squishy or gift format. Decision: return unmatched lines for correction; do not accept substitutions without approval. |
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| 2. Price and selling unit | Request: a dated quote stating currency, EXW location, price per piece, set or calendar, and included packaging. Accept: each line has an unambiguous selling unit and separately identified additional charges. Decision: compare only equivalent units and cost scopes. |
| 3. MOQ and ordering restrictions | Request: minimums by item, design, color and total order, plus any order-multiple restriction. Accept: written confirmation of which minimums apply to the proposed mix. Decision: revise quantities or remove unsuitable lines; carton quantity alone does not establish an order multiple. |
| 4. Mixed-carton packing | Request: units of each item per carton, inner packs, retail packaging, carton dimensions and gross weight. Accept: a carton-by-carton packing plan whose contents match the quote, with any repacking charge stated. Decision: keep mixed packing provisional until that plan is agreed. |
| 5. Destination-market fit | Request: intended age grading, proposed labels and relevant test or conformity records for the destination. Accept: records identifiable to the quoted construction, with an explanation of coverage. Decision: arrange a market-specific review before purchase; a generic certificate image does not establish product fit. |
| 6. Squishy sample and QC plan | Request: representative samples, an approved reference and written inspection criteria. Accept: agreement on appearance, dimensions, squeeze recovery, seams and packaging, plus leakage checks for filled designs. Decision: resolve sample differences and agree defect handling before order approval. |
| 7. Replenishment | Request: repeat-order minimums, availability confirmation, estimated dispatch timing and substitution rules. Accept: a dated response distinguishing the initial assortment from reorder options. Decision: choose an approved fixed mix for repeat purchasing; accept a changing mix only with prior approval of each assortment. |
| 8. Communication and accountability | Request: a named commercial contact, QC contact and consolidated response to all open questions. Accept: consistent answers and clear responsibility for corrections or claims. Decision: score observed completeness and responsiveness—not assumptions about future conduct or whether the supplier is a factory or trader. |
Mystery Baozi Squishy Calendar
The Mystery Baozi Squishy Calendar illustrates why the selling unit must be settled before comparing prices: its indicative EXW price is US$3.98 per calendar, not per individual toy inside.
The October 15, 2026 catalog snapshot lists a 24-day gift format, color-box packaging, 48 calendars per carton and a minimum of five cartons, or 240 calendars. Use those details as a quote reference, then request current confirmation of price, minimums and the proposed packing arrangement. They do not promise availability or mixed-carton acceptance. Mystery Baozi calendar
| Product identifier | STS350807 |
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When should you hold an offer despite a high score?
Hold an offer when the selling unit, required market review or exact mixed-carton contents remain unresolved, even if the supplier answers the other questions well.
Keep commercial sample checks separate from safety assessment. Comparing squeeze recovery, checking print transfer and inspecting seams can help establish an agreed purchase specification; those checks do not replace applicable safety testing. A report's relevance follows the tested construction and applicable rules, not simply a matching product nickname.
A slow reply is a communication observation, not proof of fraud or worse service after payment. Likewise, assess a trading company and a factory by the same records, sample controls and assigned responsibilities.
What should you ask before approving the mixed carton?
Request a revised quote and packing plan that close every open purchasing condition before approving the assortment.
Ask: Is each price per toy, set or calendar? Which minimum applies to each selected item? Are designs and colors fixed? Can substitutions occur only with approval? What does repacking cost? Which samples and records match the exact construction? What changes on a repeat order?
Send the destination country, selected products and desired quantities when you request a quote. Use contact to clarify an assortment or packing question before comparing final offers. Request customization separately so its quantities, costs and sample approval conditions remain visible.
Sources
- Toy Manufacturers in China and How to Vet One | Importivity