Contract Furniture Sourcing Glossary: COM, PI, EXW, CFR, DDP and the Terms Used on a China Order
Use the same meaning across the schedule, quotation, drawings, approvals and shipping documents. Where a shorthand label and the PI differ, the PI controls the order.
Contract furniture paperwork moves quickly between a project team, sourcing company, specialist factories and a freight forwarder. This glossary explains how FBM Furniture uses the most common terms in a quotation and order. It is a working guide, not a substitute for the signed PI or your project specification.
COM and COL
COM means customer’s own material, usually fabric supplied for upholstery. COL is the corresponding shorthand for leather. Record usable width, repeat, direction, required quantity per item, defects allowance and responsibility for delivery to the furniture factory.
PI and line-item specification
A PI, or proforma invoice, records the products, prices, deposit, warranty period, trade term and estimated dates for the order. Each furniture line should still carry the item, dimensions, materials, fabric and finish, quantity, packing and any agreed substitution.
EXW, CFR and DDP
EXW places the quoted goods at the named factory or premises. CFR is the Incoterms term for cost and freight to the named port of destination; supplier paperwork sometimes writes “C&F”, so the PI should use the agreed term and named place precisely. DDP is used only where it is specifically quoted for the named destination. The PI controls the actual boundary for the order.
Send the terms you need checked
Send the quotation, schedule or furniture brief. We will align the line-item specification, approvals and order terms before production.
Shop drawing and approval register
A shop drawing turns the design intent into the dimensions, construction, materials, fixing and service interfaces proposed for production. The approval register records the item, revision, sample or drawing sent, comments, status and sign-off date. See samples, finishes and approvals.
Finish sample, strike-off and mock-up
A finish sample is the material and colour reference for an agreed surface. A strike-off is a small printed or dyed fabric approval. A mock-up is a representative assembly or complete sample used to answer identified construction or appearance questions before bulk production.
QC report and loading report
The QC report records our own team’s one inspection after bulk production is complete and before shipment, with photos and video against the signed-off specification. Your project team is welcome to attend. The loading report records what was placed in the container and supports unloading and room allocation.
Two ways to work with FBM Furniture
For suppliers you nominate, we charge a 5% commission. For products we source for you, we quote a direct price. Both routes should be identified before the order so the commercial model and responsibilities are clear.
Use the glossary on the live order
Put the defined term next to the named place, product line or approval item. Avoid relying on an abbreviation alone. If a quotation, schedule and drawing use different words, resolve the difference before sign-off and carry the agreed wording into the PI.
For the full sequence, see how we work.
Frequently asked questions
Is C&F the same label as CFR?
CFR is the Incoterms term. Supplier paperwork may use C&F informally, so confirm the agreed term and named port in the PI.
What should be recorded for COM fabric?
Record usable width, repeat, direction, required quantity per item, defects allowance and who delivers it to the furniture factory.
What controls if this glossary and the PI differ?
The signed PI and agreed project specification control the order.
When is QC carried out?
Our own QC team performs one inspection after bulk production is complete and before shipment; your project team is welcome to attend.
How does FBM Furniture charge?
For suppliers you nominate, we charge a 5% commission; for products we source for you, we quote a direct price.
Send the terms you need checked
Send the quotation, schedule or furniture brief. We will align the line-item specification, approvals and order terms before production.