A useful requirement should give a trading team enough information to understand what is needed and whether the opportunity is commercially actionable.
The core information
Commercial structure
If the buyer has a preferred delivery basis, state it. Useful information may include the preferred Incoterm, contract duration, nominated port and any known logistics constraints. A target price can also be provided where appropriate, but should not replace the rest of the commercial detail.
Company information
Legitimate counterparties should be prepared to identify the legal entity making the enquiry, its jurisdiction, website and authorised contact person. Further KYC or KYB information may be requested later in the process.
What weak enquiries look like
Messages such as “need EN590 urgently” or “send best price” give almost no usable commercial context. Missing destination, quantity or timing forces multiple clarification rounds and can make an otherwise legitimate enquiry appear speculative.
Key takeaway
A concise but complete requirement saves time for both sides and allows a trading team to qualify the opportunity much faster.