Questions buyers ask us

Our tiles are made by selected manufacturing partners in India. Thorson Tiles, based in Ahmedabad, is the supplier and exporter. For each product we choose the factory that makes it best, check every order before loading and invoice you ourselves. If something is wrong, you deal with us.

We understand your requirements, compare suitable options across our partners’ ranges, and handle samples, quotations, packing details and export paperwork for you.

You can always approach manufacturers yourself. Buying through Thorson Tiles gives you four things. Wider choice: we work with many manufacturing partners in India, so one brief reaches many ranges of sizes, finishes, looks and price points. Mixed containers: products from several factories can be combined in one container. One invoice: Thorson Tiles is the seller on every order, so you have one contract and one contact, not a separate deal with each factory. One company responsible: we check every order before loading, and if there is a quality problem, you deal with us.

We aim to make that comparison clearer, not to hide where products come from. If a factory’s range is not a good fit for your market, we will tell you.

Thorson Tiles is the seller on every order and invoices you directly. The quotation sets out what is included — product, packing, Incoterm, services — so you can compare it with other offers on a like-for-like basis.

Our office is at 1006, Shivalik Satyamev, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Our manufacturing partners are also based in India.

If you are planning a trip to India, mention it in your enquiry. We can discuss a meeting at our office and, subject to each partner factory’s agreement and schedule, a visit to relevant factories.

Ceramic wall tiles, porcelain tiles, glazed vitrified tiles (GVT / PGVT) and outdoor tiles, including 20 mm porcelain pavers, plus large-format tiles where partner manufacturers offer them.

Exact designs, sizes, thicknesses and finishes vary by partner factory and change over time, so availability is confirmed for each enquiry rather than promised from a fixed list.

In short: ceramic wall tiles usually have a more porous body and are intended mainly for walls. Porcelain tiles have a dense body with very low water absorption, which suits floors and heavier use. Glazed vitrified tiles (GVT) combine a low-absorption vitrified body with a printed glaze; PGVT is the polished version.

Classification and suitability depend on the specific product’s test data, so always check the technical sheet. Our buyer’s guide to tile types goes into more detail.

Where partner manufacturers provide them, yes. Values such as water absorption, breaking strength, slip resistance and dimensional tolerances are specific to each product and each test report, so we share the documents the manufacturer actually holds rather than generic figures.

If your market needs a particular test or standard, tell us at the start so we can check whether existing reports cover it or whether independent testing should be discussed.

MOQ is set per product by the manufacturing partner. It depends on the format, finish and design, and on whether the order comes from existing stock or needs a new production run. Many export orders are planned around a full container load.

Share your target quantity and we will confirm the applicable minimums at quotation.

Yes — subject to each product’s minimum quantity, availability at the partner factory and a workable loading plan. Because tiles are heavy, a mixed container has to be planned by weight as well as by pallet count.

We can also combine products from more than one partner factory in one container. The loading plan and any extra cost are confirmed at quotation.

For some products, smaller quantities — for example a trial order or a project lot — may be possible. Availability varies, and shipping part-loads usually costs more per square metre than a full container. Tell us your quantity and destination and we will say honestly whether it is practical.

Yes, samples can usually be arranged for shortlisted products. Sample and courier charges — and whether any of it is adjusted against a later order — are agreed with you in advance.

Keep in mind that a sample shows the design and finish; production batches can vary in shade. Where consistency is critical, agree an approved reference sample before production. See our sample approval process.

Compare the samples against your specification: size and calibre, thickness, shade and print variation, surface finish, flatness, edges (rectified or not) and the back of the tile. Photograph them in daylight and keep one set as your reference. Our quality & packaging page lists what to look for.

Price depends on the specification (body type, format, thickness, finish and design), the quantity and order structure, packing requirements, whether stock is available or production is needed, the Incoterm and destination, and timing. Market factors such as freight rates and exchange rates also play a part.

Quotations state the price basis (per m², box or piece), what is included and how long the quotation is valid.

Quotations can be prepared on the Incoterm you prefer, subject to agreed scope — for example FOB at an Indian port of loading, or CFR / CIF to your destination port. EXW and delivered terms such as DAP can also be discussed.

The quotation states exactly which costs and responsibilities are included. Our Incoterms explainer summarises the differences.

A quotation is valid for the period stated on it. After that, prices may need to be reconfirmed because production costs, freight rates and exchange rates change. Once an order is confirmed on agreed terms, those terms apply.

Lead time depends on whether the products are in stock or need a production run, the order size, the partner factory’s production schedule, any custom packing, and vessel schedules from the port of loading.

We confirm an estimated production and dispatch timeline at quotation and keep you updated as the order progresses. We do not quote fixed timelines before the manufacturer has confirmed them.

Typically in cartons on pallets, with corner protection, strapping and stretch wrap, though packing varies by manufacturer and can be agreed. Cartons are usually marked with the product name or code, size, shade and calibre.

Pieces per box, m² per box, weight per box and boxes per pallet are product-specific and confirmed for each item. See the packing details to confirm.

It depends on the format, thickness and packing of each product. Tiles are dense, so a container usually reaches its permitted weight before it is full by volume. The quantity per container is therefore worked out per product — and per mix of products — and confirmed in the quotation.

Partner factories run their own quality control during production. Before loading, we check every order, covering agreed points such as shade, calibre, quantity, packing and carton marking, with photos or videos of the packed goods.

If you also want independent verification, you are welcome to appoint your own third-party inspection agency. The scope and cost of any third-party inspection are agreed in advance.

You contact us, not the factory. Thorson Tiles is the seller, so we handle the claim with you. Share photos, carton labels and batch details, and we take it from there. How claims are assessed and settled is set out in the quotation and sales terms.

Shade variation between production batches is normal for glazed and printed tiles. Tiles are sorted by shade and calibre, and these are marked on the cartons. For one project or area, order enough from a single batch and avoid mixing shade or calibre codes.

You can ask for each product to be supplied in a single shade and calibre where possible; this is subject to confirmation by the partner factory.

Private label is assessed case by case. Feasibility depends on the partner factory, carton printing and labelling options, minimum quantities for custom packaging, and your order volume. We check with the partner factories what is possible — for example branded cartons, labels or your own product codes — before anything is promised.

Read more about our feasibility-led private-label approach.

Export shipments commonly include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and, where required, a certificate of origin. Other documents — test reports, fumigation or phytosanitary certificates for wooden pallets, or market-specific paperwork — depend on the product, the Incoterm and your country’s requirements.

Tell us your destination early and confirm import requirements with your customs broker; the documents included are listed in the quotation.

Certifications and declarations are specific to each manufacturer and product. We only share certificates and test reports that partner manufacturers actually hold for the product you are considering. If your market requires a particular certification, include it in your enquiry so it can be checked before quotation.

Payment terms are agreed for each order and set out in the quotation or proforma invoice. Common options in international trade include an advance bank transfer (T/T), a part-advance with the balance against shipping documents, or a letter of credit. What is available depends on the order and the parties involved.

For your security, always confirm bank details with us through a second, known channel before making any payment.