Importing Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka involves more than selecting a flavour and placing an order. For buyers new to sourcing tea internationally, understanding the process — from initial sampling through to final shipment — helps avoid delays and ensures the product that arrives matches what was agreed.
Step 1: Define Your Product Requirements
Before contacting a supplier, clarify:
- Tea type — black, flavoured, or herbal
- Format — loose leaf, tea bags, or retail-ready packaging
- Volume — bulk/base tea, or finished private label units
- Target market — this affects labelling, certification, and packaging requirements
Step 2: Request Samples
Reputable Ceylon tea exporters will typically provide small samples — often up to 1kg — free of charge, with the buyer covering courier costs. Sample preparation generally takes around 2 weeks, plus roughly 1 week for shipping depending on destination.
Step 3: Confirm Minimum Order Quantities
Most Ceylon tea exporters set minimum orders around 1 metric ton, a 20ft/40ft container, or a set unit count (such as 10,000 pieces for private label). Order volumes above this threshold typically unlock better unit pricing.
Step 4: Choose Your Trade Terms
Common export terms include:
- EXW (Ex Works) — buyer arranges shipping from the supplier's facility
- FOB (Free on Board) — supplier delivers to the port of departure
- CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) — supplier arranges shipping and insurance to the destination port
Step 5: Confirm Documentation
Ensure your supplier can provide:
- Certificate of origin
- Phytosanitary documentation
- FDA-related documentation (for US-bound shipments)
- Destination-market label compliance support
Step 6: Plan Your Timeline
A typical bulk production order involves roughly 2 weeks to secure the required teas, 2 weeks for production, and shipping beginning around week 5 — though timelines vary by destination and shipping route.
Working With an Established Exporter
Choosing a supplier with export experience in your target market — including familiarity with local labelling and documentation norms — reduces friction significantly. Shine Tea Holdings has exported Ceylon tea to China, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Russia, and the US OEM market since 2014.