Turkey contract manufacturing works best when the RFQ, approved sample and inspection plan describe the same product. A quote alone does not control material substitutions, tolerances, packaging or rework. Put those decisions in writing before a purchase order, then make the factory confirm who owns each checkpoint.
What should a Turkish manufacturer RFQ contain?
An RFQ should let two factories price the same job. Send a controlled drawing or specification, material and finish, quantity by delivery lot, target date, packaging requirement, acceptance criteria and Incoterm. Ask the supplier to state every assumption and every subcontracted operation.
- Part number, revision date and units of measure
- Material grade, dimensions, tolerance and permitted alternatives
- Tooling ownership, sample quantity and approval record
- Price basis, payment milestones, lead-time assumptions and shipping point
The legal identity on the quotation, invoice and payment instructions should match the producing party or be explained. Invest in Türkiye's establishment guidance says trade-registration transactions are fulfilled through MERSIS. Use that registry layer as one input when checking a supplier's file, then read our supplier-vetting guide before paying a deposit.
How should samples be approved?
Approve a sample against a written checklist, not against memory. Mark the sample with its revision, date, material and finish. Keep photographs, measurements and any deviation approval with the purchase file. The approved sample becomes the reference for production, but it does not replace a written tolerance or test requirement.
For a custom part, separate development samples from a production-intent sample. The first can expose a design problem. The second should use the intended process, tooling and material. If the manufacturer changes a source or subcontractor after approval, require a new approval decision.
Where does quality control belong in the schedule?
Quality control needs gates before shipment, not a single inspection after cartons are sealed. Set an incoming-material check where relevant, an in-process check at the operation that creates the main risk, and a pre-shipment check against the approved sample and packing list. Release payment only under the agreed evidence rule.
TSE's special-surveillance scope includes supplier and dealer evaluation, conformity with customer requirements, and pre- and post-shipment surveillance. That describes services that can be commissioned. It does not certify every factory or guarantee an order outcome. For a wider inspection plan, see quality control and factory inspections in Turkey.
What documents should travel with the order?
Keep the RFQ, final quotation, purchase order, drawing revision, approved-sample record, inspection report, packing list and invoice in one file. Match the part number and revision across them. A missing revision is a common reason for a factory to produce an older version without anyone noticing until delivery.
What should a buyer do when a sample fails?
Record the failure against the specification, with measurements and photographs. Ask for root cause, containment for work already made, and a dated corrective-action proposal. Do not approve a replacement sample informally by chat if it changes a requirement. Update the controlled record first.
FAQ
Is an RFQ the same as a purchase order?
No. An RFQ asks for a priced proposal. A purchase order should identify the accepted commercial terms and the controlled technical documents.
Can a sample replace a specification?
No. Use both. The sample gives a physical reference; the specification defines measurable requirements and permitted variation.
Does an inspection guarantee compliance in the destination market?
No. Commercial inspection and product compliance are separate workstreams. Check destination-market product rules before committing to production.
Corpenza can coordinate manufacturing and production support in Turkey, including supplier-file review, RFQ discipline and inspection planning. This article is general information, not legal, customs or product-compliance advice.
