How bidex works

One account does both. Your own posts are under My posts; what you've sent is under My quotes & bids.

Only you can see the quotes on your post. Sellers never see each other's prices.

Sealed prices stop a race to the bottom in public and stop spam: each company sends its best price once, and only the poster compares them. Even the bidex team doesn't show them to anyone else.

Verifiedbidex checked this company's registration papers. Look for the badge before you trade.

To get it, send your company registration number (and, if you have them, your tax ID and import-export licence) from your company page. We review within 2 working days. Verified companies get more replies.

Sellers use 1 credit to send a quote on a buy request. Bids are free, and buyers never pay.

Every company gets 10 credits when it signs up and 5 credits every month on the Free plan. If the buyer never opens your quote, the credit comes back. See plans and credit packs

A private chat for the two companies. It opens when a quote or bid is accepted. Either side moves it to the next step.

Negotiating

Chat and agree the final details: price, quantity, shipping date and documents.

Confirmed

Both sides agreed the terms. The seller now gets the goods ready.

Shipped

The goods are on their way to the buyer.

Completed

The goods arrived and the deal is done. Both sides can now rate each other.

Cancelled

The deal was called off. Nothing more happens on it.

When a deal is completed, both companies rate each other from 1 to 5 stars, with a short comment if they like. Ratings are final and show on the company's profile and next to its posts.

Rooms where traders ask questions and share know-how, grouped by product and trade route.

• Question: A question wants an answer. The person who asked can mark the reply that solved it.
• Discussion: A discussion is an open conversation on a topic, with no single right answer.

If something goes wrong after the deal is confirmed, either side can ask bidex to step in and decide.

Open the deal room, open the deal details and choose "Raise a dispute", with a short reason. The deal's status is on hold until bidex has decided, and both sides get the decision.

Need (buy request)

A buy request. A company wants to buy these goods, and sellers send it sealed quotes.

Offer (sell offer)

A sell offer. A company has these goods to sell, and buyers send it sealed bids.

Quote

A seller's price for a buy request. Only the buyer who posted it can see it.

Bid

A buyer's price for a sell offer. Only the seller who posted it can see it.

Sealed

Only the poster sees your price. Other companies never see it, and you never see theirs.

Lowest

The cheapest live price on this post. Check lead time and terms too before you accept.

Target price

The price per unit the buyer hopes to pay. Sellers can quote above or below it.

Asking price

The price per unit the seller hopes to get. Buyers can bid above or below it.

Closes in

Time left to reply. After this the post stops taking quotes and bids.

Lead time

Days until the goods can ship once the deal is agreed.

Payment terms

How and when the money is paid, for example 30% advance and 70% against the bill of lading.

HS code

The customs code for the goods (6 to 8 digits). It helps sellers match the exact product.

Shortlist

Mark the ones you like while you decide. Nothing is agreed yet, and you can undo it.

Decline

Say no to this one. The company sees it was not chosen. You can't undo it.

Accept

Pick this one. The post closes, the others are declined and a deal room opens.

Withdraw

Take your quote or bid back. The poster can no longer accept it, and you can't send another.

Verified

bidex checked this company's registration papers. Look for the badge before you trade.

Verification pending

This company sent its papers and bidex is checking them, usually within 2 working days.

Deal room

A private chat for the two companies. It opens when a quote or bid is accepted.

Dispute

If something goes wrong after the deal is confirmed, either side can ask bidex to step in and decide.

Rating

The average score, out of 5, that other companies gave after completed deals.

Credits

Sellers use 1 credit to send a quote on a buy request. Bids are free, and buyers never pay.

Free plan

The Free plan: post, compare and bid for free, plus free credits every month for quotes.

Pro plan

The Pro plan: more credits every month and priority support, for sellers who quote every week.

Community

Rooms where traders ask questions and share know-how, grouped by product and trade route.

Concierge

The bidex team invites matching sellers to quote on buy requests that need more replies.

Team

Invite colleagues to use your company account. Up to 10 seats, counting invitations.

Incoterm

The trade rule that says who pays for shipping, insurance and duty, and where the goods change hands.

EXW

Buyer collects from the seller's premises and pays all transport.

FCA

Seller hands the goods to the buyer's carrier at an agreed place.

FAS

Seller delivers alongside the ship at the port of loading.

FOB

Seller loads the goods on the ship; buyer pays freight from there.

CFR

Seller pays shipping to the buyer's port; buyer pays insurance.

CIF

Seller pays shipping and insurance to the buyer's port.

CPT

Seller pays transport to the agreed place; buyer pays insurance.

CIP

Seller pays transport and insurance to the agreed place.

DAP

Seller delivers to the buyer's place; buyer pays import duty.

DPU

Seller delivers and unloads at the buyer's place; buyer pays import duty.

DDP

Seller delivers to the buyer's door and pays import duty too.