Quick Start Guide for U.S. Vendors
You registered. KYB approved. Now what? This guide takes you from zero to receiving your first RFQ in under 30 minutes.
Checklist: Your First Day
Go to Vendor Dashboard – My Profile. Add: company description, TSRA categories you handle, U.S. states where you operate, company photo or logo. A complete profile increases your VPS Score and builds buyer trust.
Go to Dashboard – Products – Add Product. Complete all fields: name, description, HS code, reference FOB price, MOQ, available incoterms, port of loading, shelf life, certifications. The more complete, the more RFQs you will receive.
Go to Dashboard – Settings – Notifications. Enable email and/or WhatsApp notifications for new RFQs matching your categories. Responding in under 24 hours improves your VPS Score and ranking.
There are 4 buyer types on AquiCargo:
- Private MiPYME: Small Cuban business. Volumes of 1–10 MT. More agile, pays directly.
- ALIMPORT: State institutional buyer. Large volumes (20+ MT). Longer process.
- NGO/Humanitarian: Buys for social programs. Price-sensitive, humanitarian documentation.
- Enterprise/Private pharmacy: High frequency, medium volume, pays quickly.
Before your first quote, have templates ready for:
- Proforma invoice (AquiCargo auto-generates but you can have your own)
- Certificate of origin
- Contact at a freight forwarder with Cuba experience
- For processed foods: FDA facility registration number
- For bulk grains: USDA FGIS agent
When Your First RFQ Arrives
You will receive an email notification. Log into your panel, review the details and decide whether to quote. For your first quote:
Read the RFQ carefully: Exact product (HS code), quantity requested, preferred incoterm, required delivery date, buyer entity type.
Check availability: Do you have the stock or can you source it? Can you meet the MOQ requested? Does your freight forwarder have capacity for that port?
Calculate your price: Your FOB cost + margin + any additional certifications required. For CIF, add freight + insurance.
Submit your quote: Price per MT, incoterm, lead time, quote validity (7–14 days recommended), port of loading. Add notes if there are special conditions.
Monitor response: The buyer has limited time to decide. If no response within the validity period, the quote expires automatically.