Frequently Asked Questions

Our standard MOQ is 1 x 20ft container (approximately 12-13 metric tons of fresh garlic). However, for first-time buyers, we can accommodate a mixed container or smaller trial orders of 3-5 tons depending on the product and current inventory. Dehydrated garlic products (powder, flakes, granules) have a lower MOQ of 500 kg. We recommend starting with a trial order to verify product quality before committing to larger volumes.

Garlic pricing is market-driven and fluctuates based on harvest yield, seasonal availability, global demand, and shipping costs. We quote FOB Qingdao prices that are valid for 7 calendar days. Prices typically follow the harvest cycle: harvest season (May-June) often sees initial price dips, while cold-storage supply prices (September-March) trend higher. We advise buyers to request a current quotation at the time of inquiry for the most accurate pricing. Volume discounts are available for orders of 3+ containers.

We offer flexible payment terms for international buyers: (1) T/T — 30% deposit upon order confirmation, 70% balance before shipment or against copy of documents. (2) L/C at sight — irrevocable letter of credit from a recognized international bank. (3) For established long-term partners, we can negotiate O/A (open account) terms with trade credit insurance. All prices are quoted in USD. We can also accommodate EUR or CNY for certain markets.

Yes, we provide free samples of our products. The buyer covers the courier shipping cost (approximately $30-50 via DHL/FedEx, depending on destination). We can ship samples within 2-3 business days of request. For large-volume buyers, we can also arrange video calls to show live inventory and quality inspection in real-time. We recommend requesting samples from the current cold-storage batch, as garlic quality varies by harvest year.

We ship primarily by sea freight (FCL — Full Container Load) from Qingdao Port, which is the nearest major container port to Jinxiang (approximately 400 km). For urgent or small-volume orders, we can arrange air freight through Jinan or Qingdao airports. We work with major carriers including Maersk, MSC, COSCO, and CMA CGM. All shipments include standard marine insurance. We can arrange door-to-door (DDP) service to select destinations upon request.

Approximate sea freight transit times from Qingdao Port: Southeast Asia (Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand): 7-12 days. Middle East (Dubai, Jeddah, Doha): 15-20 days. European Union (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Barcelona): 25-30 days. North America (Los Angeles, New York): 15-20 days (West Coast) / 28-33 days (East Coast). South America (Santos, Buenos Aires): 30-40 days. Africa (Durban, Mombasa): 20-30 days. Actual transit times depend on carrier schedules, weather conditions, and port congestion.

Under FOB and CIF terms, the buyer is responsible for import customs clearance in the destination country. However, we provide all required export documents including: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin (Form E / Form A / CO), phytosanitary certificate, fumigation certificate (if required), and any product-specific test reports. For DDP terms, we handle the entire logistics chain including import customs clearance. We can also recommend experienced customs brokers in major markets.

Yes, we offer mixed-container loading (LCL consolidation at our facility). You can combine different garlic products — fresh garlic, peeled garlic, black garlic, garlic powder, garlic flakes, and garlic granules — in a single 20ft or 40ft container. This is ideal for importers and distributors who need multiple product lines. We provide a detailed packing list specifying the quantity and weight of each product in the container. Note that fresh and dehydrated products have different storage requirements; we pack them in separate sections as needed.

We offer two main quality grades. Normal White Garlic: Standard export grade, white to off-white skin, minimal blemishes, diameter 5.0-6.5 cm. Suitable for general import/distribution. Pure White Garlic: Premium grade, uniform pure white color, zero blemishes, diameter 5.5-7.0 cm. Preferred for supermarket retail and high-end markets. Both grades meet international food safety standards and are sorted through multiple stages of mechanical and manual inspection. We can also supply specific size sorting (e.g., 4.5-5.0 cm, 5.0-5.5 cm, 5.5-6.0 cm, 6.0+ cm) based on buyer requirements.

Our processing facilities and products are certified under internationally recognized standards: (1) GLOBALG.A.P. — Good Agricultural Practice certification covering farm-level production. (2) BRC Global Standard for Food Safety — Grade A certified processing facility. (3) HACCP — Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system. (4) ISO 22000 — Food Safety Management System. (5) EU Organic (Regulation 2018/848) — Certified organic production for the EU market. (6) USDA NOP Organic — Certified organic for the US market. All certificates are available for review upon request.

We implement a multi-layered quality control process: (1) Pre-harvest inspection — field-level monitoring for pesticide compliance and garlic maturity. (2) Incoming raw material check — every batch received at our facility is tested for size, color, moisture content, and foreign matter. (3) Processing QC — continuous monitoring during sorting, grading, and packing with CCP checkpoints per HACCP plan. (4) Pre-shipment inspection — random sampling per AQL 2.5 standard, including cut-test for internal defects, weight verification, and packaging integrity. (5) Third-party inspection — SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek inspection available upon buyer request at cost.

Shelf life varies by product type and storage conditions: Fresh garlic — 6-9 months in controlled-atmosphere cold storage (-2 to 0 degrees C, 65-75% RH). After breaking cold chain, 2-3 months at ambient temperature. Peeled garlic — 90-120 days under vacuum packing with citric acid treatment, stored at 0-4 degrees C. Dehydrated products (powder, flakes, granules) — 18-24 months in sealed packaging, stored in cool dry conditions (below 25 degrees C, below 60% RH). Black garlic — 12-18 months in sealed packaging at ambient temperature. We print production date and best-before date on every package.

We offer several standard packaging options: Carton boxes (10 kg net, 10 kg net with inner tray, or 20 kg net) — the most common export packaging, stackable and branded. Mesh bags (10 kg, 20 kg net) — economical option for wholesale markets. Jumbo bags (500-1250 kg) — for bulk industrial buyers and processing plants. Small consumer packs (250g, 500g, 1 kg net pouches or net bags) — ready for retail shelves. All packaging materials are food-grade and compliant with international standards. We can source custom packaging for large-volume orders.

Yes, we fully support OEM and private-label packaging. You provide the artwork files (AI, PDF, or CDR format), and we handle printing and application. Minimum order for custom-branded packaging varies by packaging type — typically 1 x 40ft container for custom-printed cartons with your logo and specifications. We also offer simpler options: custom labels/stickers with your branding applied to standard packaging (lower MOQ of 500 cartons), or custom-printed mesh bag tags. Lead time for custom packaging production is typically 10-15 business days after artwork approval.

For sea freight, fresh garlic is typically packed in vented cartons or mesh bags loaded onto pallets. Key requirements: (1) Cartons must have ventilation holes to allow airflow inside the reefer container. (2) Pallets are wrapped with stretch film for stability during transit. (3) The container is set to controlled temperature (-1 to 0 degrees C) with humidity at 65-75%. (4) We use desiccant packs inside containers to control moisture. (5) Cartons are marked with handling instructions (keep dry, keep refrigerated) in English and destination language. For dehydrated products, sealed aluminum-foil bags inside cartons protect against moisture and light.

Yes, we can design and print labels that comply with your destination market regulations. This includes: EU Food Information Regulation (EU 1169/2011) requirements for allergen declarations, net weight in metric units, country of origin, and lot/batch numbers. US FDA nutrition facts panels and bilingual labeling (English/Spanish). Middle East requirements including production/expiry dates in both Gregorian and Hijri calendars when requested. We work with your importing agent to ensure labels meet all regulatory requirements before production. Label content review is included in our OEM service.

We quote primarily on FOB Qingdao basis — the most common and transparent term for Chinese exports. Under FOB, the buyer arranges and pays for ocean freight and insurance. We also offer CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) to the destination port — we arrange shipping and insurance, providing a single price to your port. For experienced importers, EXW (ex-works Jinxiang) is also available. For select markets, we can offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) door-to-door service. We recommend FOB for first-time buyers as it gives you control over freight costs and carrier selection.

Our primary trading currency is US Dollars (USD). We also accept Euros (EUR) for EU-based buyers, Chinese Yuan (CNY/RMB) for buyers with China-based trading companies or agents, and British Pounds (GBP) for UK buyers. All international wire transfers should reference our proforma invoice number for proper allocation. We can provide multi-currency bank account details to help you minimize currency conversion fees. Exchange rates are fixed at the time of proforma invoice issuance for T/T payments made within 5 business days.

Typical order-to-shipment timeline: 1-2 business days — proforma invoice issuance and order confirmation. 2-3 business days — receipt of deposit payment (T/T) or L/C opening confirmation. 3-7 business days — container loading and preparation (standard packaging). 7-15 business days — if custom/OEM packaging is required (additional printing lead time). 1-2 business days — customs export declaration and port delivery. Total from confirmed order to vessel departure: typically 7-14 days for standard orders. Peak season (June-October) may add 3-5 days due to high export volume at Qingdao Port.