由 caicai8478 I. Logistics solutions
(I) Choice of transportation mode
Green tea: Green tea pays attention to freshness. For the European market, it is recommended to give priority to air transportation. For example, direct flights from major green tea producing areas in China (such as Zhejiang, Anhui, etc.) to major European cities (such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, etc.). Air transportation is fast and can maintain the fresh taste and aroma of green tea to the greatest extent, reducing quality loss during transportation. For some urgent orders or high-end green tea products, full cargo aircraft transportation is the best choice to ensure that the goods arrive quickly and safely. At the same time, for green tea with large quantities and slightly lower timeliness requirements, it can be combined with LCL or FCL transportation by sea, but the transportation time is longer, and it is necessary to strengthen the preservation measures on the packaging.
Black tea: Compared with green tea, black tea is more stable during transportation. The transportation method can be flexibly selected according to the order volume and customer needs. For regular orders, sea container transportation is a more economical option that can effectively reduce transportation costs. From Chinese black tea producing areas (such as Fujian, Yunnan, etc.) through ports (such as Shanghai Port, Shenzhen Port) to major European ports (such as Rotterdam Port, Hamburg Port, etc.). For some high-quality black teas or small-volume orders with high timeliness requirements, air transportation can meet the needs of fast delivery and improve customer satisfaction.
Pu’er tea: Pu’er tea has the characteristic of becoming more fragrant as it ages, and the transportation time has relatively little impact on its quality, but it should be noted to avoid high temperature and high humidity environments. For the transportation of bulk Pu’er tea, sea transportation is the main mode, and full container transportation can be used to ensure the safety of tea during transportation. When choosing a container, a container with good ventilation and certain moisture-proof function should be selected to prevent the tea from getting damp and moldy. For some high-end, compressed Pu’er tea products, in order to ensure their integrity and quality, air transportation can be appropriately combined to shorten the transportation cycle.
(II) Logistics route planning
Green tea: Develop a fast transportation route from the production area to the airport to ensure that the tea can be delivered to the airport for consignment in the shortest time after picking. For example, in the Zhejiang green tea producing area, it can be transported via a dedicated highway line to reduce the transit link and improve transportation efficiency. At the European destination, choose an airport that is close to customers and has convenient transportation for customs clearance and distribution, and cooperate with local professional logistics and distribution companies to ensure that the tea can be delivered to customers quickly and accurately.
Black tea: For sea transportation routes, optimize the route selection from Chinese ports to European ports, considering factors such as transportation time, cost, and port loading and unloading efficiency. For example, choose a regular route through the Suez Canal, while paying attention to the stability and safety of the route. In terms of inland transportation in Europe, according to the distribution of customers, reasonably plan the distribution route, adopt railway and road combined transportation and other methods to reduce transportation costs and improve distribution efficiency.
Pu’er tea: Since the transportation time of Pu’er tea is relatively loose, more attention is paid to cost control in logistics route planning. Choose cost-effective sea transportation routes and ports. At the same time, when distributing inland Europe, you can adopt a centralized warehousing and distribution mode, and carry out batch distribution according to customer order requirements to reduce transportation costs.
(III) Logistics time management
Green tea: Strictly control the time from picking to transportation. After picking, the initial processing should be completed within 24 hours and enter the cold storage environment, and then arrange transportation as soon as possible. For green tea shipped by air, we strive to complete it within 3-5 days from the time it is shipped to the hands of European customers. For green tea shipped by sea, we must ensure that the transportation time does not exceed 20 days, and strengthen temperature and humidity monitoring during transportation to ensure the quality of tea.
Black tea: The processing cycle of black tea is relatively long, but the transportation time must also be reasonably controlled. From the factory shipment to the European customer receiving the goods, sea transportation is generally controlled within 30-40 days, and air transportation is completed within 5-7 days. In the logistics process, establish an information tracking system to feedback the transportation status of the goods to customers in real time, so that customers can arrange sales plans.
Pu’er tea: The transportation time of Pu’er tea can be appropriately relaxed, but it must also be ensured to be within a reasonable range. The transportation time by sea is usually controlled within 40-50 days. The status of the goods is regularly checked during transportation to ensure that the tea is not damp or damaged. At the same time, keep in touch with customers and inform them of the transportation time and expected arrival date in advance.
II. Packaging solution
(I) Selection of packaging materials
Green tea:
Inner packaging: Food-grade aluminum foil composite bags are used, which have good moisture-proof, anti-oxidation and UV protection properties, and can effectively maintain the color, aroma and taste of green tea. The thickness of the aluminum foil composite bag is generally between 0.08 and 0.12 mm, ensuring good barrier properties. At the same time, deoxidizers and desiccants can be placed in the bag to further extend the shelf life of green tea.
Outer packaging: For retail packaging, paper boxes can be used. The material of the paper box should have a certain strength and stiffness, and the surface can be printed to display the brand image, origin information, brewing method, etc. of green tea. The design of the paper box should focus on environmental protection and use recyclable materials. For large packaging for batch transportation, five-layer corrugated paper boxes can be used, and cushioning materials (such as foam boards, bubble films, etc.) can be added inside to prevent the tea from being squeezed and collided during transportation.
Black tea:
Inner packaging: You can choose tin foil bags or aluminized plastic bags. Both materials can effectively block air and moisture, and maintain the aroma and taste of black tea. For some high-end black teas, metal cans, such as tin cans, can be used for packaging. Tin cans have good sealing and preservation properties, and can also improve the grade of the product.
Outer packaging: Retail packaging can be paper boxes or iron boxes. Paper boxes can be beautifully printed to reflect the cultural connotation and quality characteristics of black tea. Iron boxes are more textured and can effectively protect tea leaves. For bulk transportation, corrugated boxes are also used, and protective measures are taken inside the boxes to ensure the safety of tea leaves during transportation.
Pu’er tea:
Inner packaging: Traditional Pu’er tea is packaged in cotton paper. Cotton paper has good air permeability, which helps Pu’er tea to slowly contact with air during the later aging process, and promotes the improvement of tea quality. For some compressed Pu’er teas, such as tea cakes and tea bricks, on the basis of cotton paper packaging, bamboo shoots can be used for wrapping, which is both beautiful and protective.
Outer packaging: Retail packaging can be paper or bamboo boxes. The paper box design can incorporate cultural elements of Pu’er tea, such as the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Bamboo boxes are more natural and consistent with the characteristics of Pu’er tea. For bulk transportation, corrugated boxes are used, and cushioning materials are added to the boxes to prevent the tea from being damaged during transportation.
(II) Packaging design style
Green tea: The packaging design should highlight a fresh and natural style, with green as the main color, and elements such as tea gardens and mountains and rivers to show the growth environment and natural and pure quality of green tea. The font design should be simple and smooth, reflecting the elegant temperament of green tea. At the same time, detailed information such as the origin, picking time, and grade of green tea can be marked on the packaging to meet consumers’ concerns about product quality.
Black tea: The packaging design style can be mature and stable, with warm colors such as red and brown as the main colors, reflecting the mellow taste and rich aroma of black tea. The pattern design can use traditional British afternoon tea elements, such as teapots, teacups, trays, etc., to cater to European consumers’ cognition and preference for black tea. Emphasize the brand history and craftsmanship of black tea on the packaging to increase the cultural added value of the product.
Pu’er tea: The packaging design focuses on reflecting the historical and cultural heritage of Pu’er tea, and adopts a simple and elegant style. The colors can be earthy yellow, brown, etc., and the patterns can use elements such as the Ancient Tea Horse Road and the caravan to show the unique charm of Pu’er tea. At the same time, the aging characteristics and efficacy of Pu’er tea are introduced in detail on the packaging to guide consumers to correctly taste and collect Pu’er tea.
(III) Packaging specifications
Green tea: Retail packaging specifications can be diversified, and the common ones are 50 grams, 100 grams, 250 grams, etc., to meet the needs of different consumers. For some high-end gift packaging, small packages of 20 grams or 30 grams can be used, matched with exquisite gift boxes to enhance the gift attributes of the product. For large packaging for batch transportation, the weight of each box is generally controlled at 10-15 kilograms, which is easy to carry and store.
Black tea: Retail packaging specifications are usually 100 grams, 200 grams, 500 grams, etc. to meet the needs of family consumption and daily drinking. For some fine black teas, small packages of 50 grams or 80 grams can be launched to facilitate consumers to try and carry. The weight of each box of bulk transport packaging is generally 15-20 kilograms.
Pu’er tea: Pu’er tea has a variety of retail packaging specifications. Tea cakes generally have specifications such as 357 grams and 200 grams, and tea bricks have specifications such as 250 grams and 500 grams. For loose tea, packaging specifications such as 250 grams, 500 grams, and 1 kilogram can be used. When transporting in batches, arrange the packaging reasonably according to the shape and weight of the tea to ensure transportation efficiency and safety.