China is the world’s largest tea producer and exporter, offering everything from everyday green teas to premium specialty varieties. For importers, wholesalers and FMCG distributors, China is an attractive source of competitively priced, diverse tea products. But navigating suppliers, quality standards, logistics and documentation can be challenging—especially if you are sourcing from overseas markets such as Africa, Europe or the Middle East. This is where a partner like Wigmore Trading can help simplify the process from purchase to final delivery.

Why source tea from China?

China’s tea industry is mature, diversified and export-focused. The country consistently ranks as the top global tea producer and one of the leading exporters by volume, with major origins such as Fujian, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Anhui and Guangdong offering different flavour profiles and grades to suit various market segments.

For buyers, this means:

• Access to a wide variety of tea types (green, black, oolong, white, pu-erh, jasmine and flavoured blends).

• Flexible pricing, from bulk commodity grades for value brands to higher-end specialty teas for premium retail.

• Strong production capacity that can support container-scale shipments and regular repeat orders.

However, the same scale and variety that make China attractive can also make it hard to identify the right factories, compare quality levels and ensure that all export requirements are met.

Key challenges when buying and exporting tea from China

Quality and consistency

The primary concern for most importers is consistent quality. Leaf size, aroma, taste, moisture content and cleanliness all affect how your customers perceive your brand. Many buyers find that samples sent before the order look great, but the bulk shipment doesn’t match.

To avoid this, you need clear specifications (cut size, grade, appearance, moisture, cup colour, flavour profile) and proper pre-shipment inspections. Working with a trading partner on the ground in China reduces the risk of surprises when the container arrives. Wigmore Trading can coordinate supplier audits, sample testing and independent quality checks before your goods leave port.

Supplier reliability and communication

Not every supplier in China is set up for export, and not all exporters understand your local market needs. Language barriers, differing expectations on packaging and misunderstanding of agreed terms (such as Incoterms, lead times or payment terms) can cause delays or disputes.

Wigmore Trading works only with vetted Chinese tea exporters who have a track record of on-time shipments and export experience. Our team helps translate technical and commercial requirements into clear, workable contracts so that both sides understand what is expected.

Compliance, food safety and documentation

Tea is a food product, so it is subject to safety regulations, labelling rules and import controls in your destination country. You may need:

• Phytosanitary certificates

• Certificates of origin

• Test reports for pesticide residues, heavy metals or microbiological safety

• Correct HS codes and customs documentation

Incorrect paperwork can lead to delays at the border, extra costs or even rejection of the shipment. Wigmore Trading can coordinate with Chinese inspection bodies, laboratories and local authorities to ensure the documentation meets your market’s requirements before the cargo is loaded.

Step-by-step: exporting tea from China with Wigmore Trading

1. Define your market and product requirements

We start by understanding your target market and channel. Are you supplying supermarkets, tea shops, horeca or bulk industrial buyers? Do you need loose leaf, tea bags or ready-blend ingredients for your own packing line?

Based on this, we help you define:

• Type of tea (green, black, oolong, etc.)

• Grade and quality level

• Packaging format (bulk bags, cartons, retail-ready packs)

• Required certifications (organic, HACCP, ISO, HALAL, etc.)

Having a detailed brief at the beginning makes supplier selection faster and more accurate.

2. Supplier sourcing and price negotiation

Wigmore Trading uses its network of Chinese tea producers and exporters to obtain competitive offers that match your specification. We compare not just price, but also factory capacity, quality systems, past export performance and lead times.

Our team negotiates terms on your behalf, covering pricing, payment method, delivery time and trade terms such as FOB, CFR or CIF. This gives you transparency on landed costs in your destination port, helping you plan your margins and selling prices.

3. Sampling, testing and quality control

Before you commit to a full order, we arrange samples for evaluation. You can assess cup quality, aroma and appearance, while we check that packaging and labelling meet your requirements. If needed, we can organise laboratory testing for residue limits or other food-safety parameters.

For confirmed orders, Wigmore Trading can arrange pre-shipment inspection. This may include checking packaging integrity, weight, labelling and random sampling of cartons or bags. The goal is to ensure that what goes into the container is exactly what you expect to receive.

4. Logistics, shipping and customs clearance support

Once production is completed, we coordinate the logistics from the factory to the loading port in China. This includes booking space with shipping lines, arranging export customs clearance and managing any necessary inspections at origin.

Depending on your chosen Incoterms, Wigmore Trading can handle transport to your destination port and provide all required documents for smooth customs clearance. For regular buyers, we can help optimise shipment scheduling so your stock levels remain stable and you avoid stock-outs in your home market.

5. After-sales support and repeat orders

The relationship doesn’t end when the cargo arrives. Wigmore Trading collects your feedback on quality, delivery and performance in your market. This information is used to fine-tune future orders, adjust specifications or introduce additional tea lines that may suit your customers.

By building a long-term partnership, we help you grow your product range, negotiate better terms over time and maintain consistent quality that your customers can trust.

Why partner with Wigmore Trading for Chinese tea exports?

Wigmore Trading specialises in sourcing and exporting FMCG and commodity products to markets across Africa and beyond. Our experience in import/export, wholesale distribution and logistics means we understand both sides of the trade: the realities of production in China and the demands in your local market.

We combine on-the-ground supplier access with practical trading and logistics expertise. Whether you are shipping a single container of black tea or building a full range of Chinese teas for your brand, Wigmore Trading can help streamline the process, reduce risk and free up your time to focus on sales and distribution.

Get in touch with our team to learn more about how we can help you buy and export tea from China efficiently and reliably. Contact Wigmore Trading today to streamline your sourcing.