How to Get an Accurate Fiber Cable Quote: 12-Field RFQ Checklist
An accurate quote for a custom fiber cable needs twelve pieces of information: seven that define the cable (family, fiber count, fiber type, connector system, polish and gender per end, polarity or port map, and length) and five that define the order (quantity, delivery date, labels, packing, and test records or documents). "MPO cable, 10 m" is not enough, because trunk, patch and harness cables all use MPO connectors and are built differently. Send all twelve fields, or mark the ones still open, and the quote can be prepared without back-and-forth.
Scope of this guide: the information a buyer sends to get a quote, for any cable family. Product-specific detail lives in the patch cable and 144F trunk checklists. After the RFQ, see the sample program, how we build the cable and U.S. shipping and import charges.
The Twelve Fields
| # | Field | Specify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cable family | Trunk, patch, harness or LC/SC patch cord | Each family is built and tested differently |
| 2 | Fiber count | Per cable, and per connector for trunks | Sets terminations, test points and material |
| 3 | Fiber type | OS2, OM3, OM4 or OM5 | Must match the transceivers |
| 4 | Connector system | MTP® or MPO; MPO-12, -16 or -24; LC or SC branches | Different parts and processes |
| 5 | Polish and gender | UPC or APC; pinned or unpinned, per end | Wrong polish or gender cannot mate |
| 6 | Polarity or port map | Type A, B, C or an attached drawing | Decides whether the link works |
| 7 | Length | Overall length and tolerance; leg or branch lengths | Material, handling and fit |
| 8 | Quantity | Units; repeat or multi-release | Setup is shared across units |
| 9 | Delivery | Required date and destination country, postal code | Sets schedule, shipping cost and route |
| 10 | Labels | Content, sequence and placement, or "standard" | Custom labels are added work |
| 11 | Packing | Standard or per rack, phase or carton plan | Custom packing is added work |
| 12 | Test records and documents | IL/RL per fiber, end-face images, geometry report if specified | Defines the report delivered with the order |
Extra Fields by Cable Family
- Trunk: connectors per end, leg length at each end, jacket rating, pulling grip or sleeve. See the 144F trunk ordering checklist.
- Patch cord: the exact port at each end, including MPO-16 keying. See the MPO patch cable ordering checklist.
- Harness: branch count, branch connector, branch length and the port map. See 400G/800G breakout cabling.
What Happens After You Send It
- Intake. The twelve fields are checked. Missing fields are asked for by name.
- Engineering review. For custom builds, connectors, fiber, jacket, polarity, labels and packing are checked for manufacturability.
- Quotation. The written quotation states the configuration, quantity, price, shipping cost, payment and delivery terms (Shipping Policy). Project quotations are normally paid by bank transfer (T/T) as agreed. Prices exclude destination import duties and charges, which the buyer pays.
Huawellux replies to inquiries within 24 hours. Standard listed patch cords have no formal MOQ. Company details: About Huawellux. Submitting an RFQ is free and does not place an order.
Example RFQs
Vague: "Need MPO cables, please quote."
Complete trunk RFQ: "MTP trunk, 48F OM4 LSZH, 4 × MTP-12 per end, female both ends, UPC, Type B, 20 m with 0.5 m legs. Qty 40. Deliver to Dallas, TX 75201 by week 48. Labels per attached rack plan. IL/RL record per fiber."
Complete harness RFQ: "MTP-12 female to 6 × LC duplex, OS2, APC MPO / UPC LC, Type B, 1.5 m overall, 0.3 m branches. Qty 100. Ship to Frankfurt 60311. Standard labels and packing."
What Slows a Quote Down
| Missing | Result |
|---|---|
| Cable family | The build cannot be priced |
| Gender and polish per end | A default may not mate with your equipment |
| Polarity | Must be confirmed before a build can start |
| Delivery destination | Shipping cost and route cannot be stated |
| Report scope | The test package may not match your records |
Related reading: to see how each RFQ field affects the quote, read what drives custom MTP/MPO cable price; for private-label or repeat projects, see the OEM/ODM fiber cable project workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information do I need to get a fiber cable quote?
Cable family, fiber count, fiber type, connector system, polish and gender per end, polarity, length, quantity, delivery date and destination, labels, packing, and the test records you need.
Is a quote request binding?
No. Submitting an RFQ is free and does not place an order. The order is confirmed only when you accept the written quotation.
Do quoted prices include import duties?
No. Quotations exclude destination import duties and charges, which the buyer pays. Send your destination country and postal code so shipping cost can be quoted.
How fast will I get a reply, and is there an MOQ?
Huawellux replies to inquiries within 24 hours. Standard listed patch cords have no formal MOQ.
Can I get a quote without a drawing?
Yes. A BOM or the twelve fields above are enough to start. A drawing helps for complex harness port maps.
Huawellux Factory Testing
Huawellux's specification for MPO and MTP® assemblies (identical for both) is insertion loss ≤0.35 dB for single-mode and multimode, with return loss ≥60 dB APC; single-mode UPC ≥55 dB (MTP/MPO) or ≥50 dB (LC/SC); multimode >30 dB. LC and SC patch cords are listed at insertion loss ≤0.35 dB and return loss ≥50 dB (single-mode UPC), ≥60 dB (single-mode APC) and >30 dB (multimode). Every Huawellux product receives end-face visual inspection under a 400x video microscope and is tested for insertion loss (IL) and return loss (RL) before it ships. Interferometric end-face geometry (fiber height, coplanarity, end-face angle and radius) is sample-checked in production; a geometry report is supplied only if you specify it. Dust caps are fitted on every connector, and an IL/RL test report ships with every order.
Send your RFQ through Request a Quote, or use the Visual Cable Quote for MTP/MPO trunk, patch and harness cables.
Estimated preparation for all orders, including custom orders, is 1–5 business days after payment confirmation.
MTP® is a registered trademark of US Conec Ltd.