Published: 2026-07-10 · XIAO TEA
Many Thai buyers want to import quality tea from China but aren't sure where to start. This guide walks through the actual process we use when helping Thai customers — from licensing to goods arriving at your warehouse.
Tea is regulated as "food" under Thai law. Importers need a food import license (Or.7) from the Thai Food and Drug Administration, and the storage facility must pass inspection. If you don't hold a license yet, a licensed import agent can act on your behalf — a route many new brands take for their first shipments.
Each tea recipe must receive a 13-digit Thai FDA serial number before retail sale. The Chinese factory should provide you: the ingredient list, certificates of analysis (COA), a Certificate of Free Sale, and a Health Certificate. Factories experienced with Thailand exports keep this document set ready.
Tea (HS code 0902) from China qualifies for reduced tariffs under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement — in most cases very low or zero import duty. The key condition: a Form E certificate of origin issued on the Chinese side. Always request it from your supplier, or you'll pay standard rates. Thailand's 7% VAT still applies, calculated on CIF value plus duty.
Products sold in Thailand must carry Thai labels showing the food name, FDA number, ingredients, net weight, production/expiry dates, importer name, and storage instructions. Our factory prints Thai labels during production, so goods are shelf-ready on arrival — no sticker-over work needed.
Sea freight (FCL/LCL) from Shanghai or Ningbo to Laem Chabang takes roughly 7–12 days — best for main lots of 300 kg and up. Air freight takes 3–5 days, suited to samples and urgent lots. Adding production time (15–25 days), documentation, and customs clearance, plan for about 30–45 days total from order confirmation to warehouse arrival.
Documents to request from any Chinese factory: Proforma Invoice, sales contract, per-batch COA, Form E, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Health Certificate, Certificate of Free Sale, and Halal documentation if required. XIAO TEA prepares this full set for Thai customers as standard practice.
A supplier-vetting checklist for tea buyers: verifying Halal/FDA/HACCP certificates, systematic sample testing, batch consistency, and red flags that mean walk away.
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