Shipping Tea from China to the United States: Full Process and Compliance Guide

Shipping Tea from China to the United States: Full Process and Compliance Guide

Shipping tea to the United States requires strict compliance with the regulations and industry standards of both China and the United States to ensure smooth customs clearance and delivery.

Transportation Process

1. Pre – shipment Preparation: Confirm that the tea meets the import requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Organic tea needs to provide NOP (National Organic Program) certification, and regular tea requires a pesticide residue test report. Prepare documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and phytosanitary certificates. The documents should be filled in English, clearly stating the type of tea (e.g., green tea, black tea), ingredients, net weight, etc. Select a transportation method based on the quantity of goods and time requirements. Air freight (3 – 5 days) is suitable for small – quantity and high – value tea, while sea freight (20 – 40 days) is better for large – volume tea.
2. Packaging Requirements: Use moisture – proof, light – proof, and sealed packaging. Pack tea in aluminum foil bags or tin cans, and then place them in sturdy cartons with buffer materials inside. If it is vacuum – packed, ensure good airtightness. Mark “FRAGILE”, “MOISTURE – PROOF” and detailed recipient information, as well as tea – related instructions (such as storage conditions) on the outer packaging.
3. Export Customs Clearance: Entrust professional freight forwarders or customs brokers to handle China’s export procedures. Truthfully declare the tea’s name, quantity, value, origin, etc., and cooperate with customs inspections to ensure compliance with China’s export standards.
4. International Transportation: Sign a transportation contract with the selected airline or shipping company, obtain the bill of lading or waybill, and track the cargo status in real – time through the logistics tracking number.
5. U.S. Import Customs Clearance: After the goods arrive in the United States, the customs clearance agent submits documents to the U.S. Customs and the FDA. The customs reviews whether the goods are declared truthfully, and the FDA checks if the tea meets food safety standards, and may conduct spot checks on the goods. After passing the review, pay tariffs (the tariff rate for ordinary tea is about 3 – 5%, and it may be higher for some special teas) and related taxes to complete customs clearance.
6. Goods Delivery: After customs clearance, local logistics providers deliver the goods to the recipient’s address, and the recipient signs for and checks the condition of the goods.

Precautions

1. Certification and Testing: Pesticide residue indicators of tea must meet U.S. standards. Organic tea must obtain NOP certification to avoid goods being returned due to unqualified testing.
2. Label Specifications: Product labels should be in English, indicating ingredients, shelf life, country of origin, storage methods, etc., and the content should be consistent with the declared documents.
3. Intellectual Property Rights: If the tea involves brands, provide trademark authorization certificates to prevent goods from being detained due to infringement.
4. Logistics Selection: Choose logistics providers with experience in food transportation to ensure that the transportation process meets hygiene requirements, and consider purchasing cargo insurance when