China dominates 80% of global garlic production, offering high-quality white, pure white, and peeled garlic at competitive prices. This guide covers supplier selection, quality checks, shipping terms, customs clearance, and payment methods to help global buyers import Chinese garlic smoothly with lower costs and stable supply.
1. Why Choose Garlic from China?
China is the undisputed leader in global garlic production and export, contributing over 80% of the world’s total supply annually. This massive output ensures stable supply and competitive pricing, making Chinese garlic the first choice for buyers across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Chinese garlic stands out for its rich variety and excellent quality, tailored to different market demands. The most popular exported types include:
– Regular White Garlic: Strong flavor, 4.5-5.5cm in diameter, high storage resistance, perfect for daily seasoning and bulk purchases.
– Pure White Garlic: Milder taste with bright white skin, favored by premium markets in Europe and North America, ideal for high-end catering and retail.
– Peeled & Processed Garlic: Pre-peeled cloves, garlic paste, powder, and granules, designed for food processing industries to save labor costs.
In addition to variety, Chinese garlic meets strict international standards, including Codex Alimentarius CXS 337-2020 and destination country regulations (such as EU EC No 178/2002). Most suppliers hold HACCP and ISO certifications, ensuring food safety and traceability.
Price advantage is another key reason to choose Chinese garlic. During harvest seasons (May-July), fresh garlic prices drop by 15%-20%, while bulk purchases of 10+ tons can get additional volume discounts. For long-term buyers, annual contracts can lock in prices and avoid seasonal fluctuations.
2. Key Preparations Before Buying Garlic from China
Before starting your procurement, 3 critical preparations will avoid risks and improve efficiency.
2.1 Clarify Your Procurement Requirements
First, confirm 4 core details to narrow down supplier options quickly:
– Garlic type: Decide between fresh, dried, peeled, or processed garlic based on your market demand.
– Quality grade: Grade 1 (good quality with minor defects) or Grade A (premium, no defects, regular shape) as per Codex standards.
– Size specification: Common sizes range from 4.5cm (G grade) to 75cm+ (A grade); most bulk buyers choose 5.0-6.0cm garlic for balanced cost and market acceptance.
– MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): Chinese suppliers usually require 10-20 tons for bulk sea shipments, 1 ton for air shipments (for small-batch trials).
2.2 Understand Import Regulations of Your Country
Different countries have specific rules for garlic imports, mainly focusing on phytosanitary certificates and customs duties:
– Phytosanitary Certificate (issued by Chinese agricultural authorities): Proves garlic is free from pests and diseases, mandatory for all exports.
– Customs duties: EU imposes 8%-12% tariffs on Chinese garlic, US 5%-7%, Southeast Asian countries (such as Indonesia, Thailand) have 0%-5% preferential tariffs for bulk imports.
– Labeling requirements: Most countries require multilingual labels with origin (China), net weight, shelf life, and storage conditions.
2.3 Set a Clear Budget
Include 4 cost components to avoid unexpected expenses:
– Product cost: $300-$800 per ton (varies by type and season; fresh garlic is cheaper in harvest season, dried garlic is pricier but has longer shelf life).
– Shipping cost: Sea freight ($50-$150 per ton, 20-40 days transit time) vs air freight ($300-$500 per ton, 3-7 days transit time).
– Customs clearance cost: 2%-5% of total product value, including document fees and inspection fees.
– Insurance cost: 0.3%-0.5% of total value to cover loss or damage during transit.
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Buy Garlic from China
Follow these 6 steps to complete your procurement smoothly, with zero middlemen and full control over quality.
Step 1: Find Reliable Garlic Suppliers in China
The most effective ways to find verified suppliers (no company names included):
– Agricultural trade fairs: China’s annual garlic trade fairs in Shandong, Henan, and Jiangsu (core garlic-producing provinces) allow face-to-face negotiations and on-site quality checks.
– Online B2B platforms: Choose platforms with trade assurance to verify supplier credibility, check their export history and customer reviews before contact.
– Direct contact with garlic-growing regions: Shandong province contributes 70% of China’s garlic exports, so connecting with local farmer cooperatives can get fresher garlic at lower prices.
Key supplier verification points:
1. Check business license and export qualification certificates.
2. Ask for sample garlic (suppliers usually provide free samples, buyers only pay shipping fees).
3. Confirm production capacity (ensure they can meet your delivery schedule).
Step 2: Evaluate Samples and Confirm Quality
Sample evaluation is critical to avoid quality discrepancies:
– Visual check: Garlic should be plump, no mold, no sprouting, no obvious scars; skin should be intact (for fresh garlic) or fully dried (for dried garlic).
– Physical check: Press the garlic to ensure it’s firm (soft garlic means poor freshness); check moisture content (60%-70% is optimal for storage).
– Taste test: Fresh Chinese garlic has a strong, spicy flavor; pure white garlic has a milder taste, suitable for markets that prefer less pungency.
Once samples pass your inspection, sign a sample confirmation document to avoid disputes over final product quality.
Step 3: Negotiate Price and Contract Terms
Price negotiation should focus on 3 core aspects:
– Base price: Confirm unit price per ton, and clarify whether it’s EXW (factory price), FOB (port price), or CIF (door-to-door price including freight and insurance).
– MOQ adjustment: If you can’t meet the 10-ton MOQ, negotiate to combine with other buyers (many suppliers support group purchases).
– Price adjustment clause: Agree on price changes based on market fluctuations (e.g., no more than 5% adjustment within 6 months).
Critical contract terms to clarify:
– Delivery time: 7-15 days for fresh garlic (after deposit), 15-30 days for processed garlic.
– Quality standards: Clearly state grade, size, moisture content, and defect tolerance (e.g., ≤2% defective garlic per batch).
– Shipping details: Specify departure port (Qingdao, Shanghai, or Guangzhou) and destination port, confirm ETD (Estimated Time of Departure) and ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival).
Step 4: Confirm Payment Terms
Chinese garlic suppliers offer 3 common payment methods, choose based on your risk tolerance:
1. 30% TT deposit + 70% balance before shipment: Most popular for bulk orders, reduces both buyer and supplier risks.
2. Irrevocable L/C at sight: Suitable for first-time cooperation, ensures payment only after documents are verified (phytosanitary certificate, bill of lading, commercial invoice).
3. Cash against documents (CAD): Rare for large orders, only recommended for small-batch trials with trusted suppliers.
Note: Never pay 100% advance payment for the first order to avoid fraud.
Step 5: Arrange Shipping and Logistics
Two shipping options for Chinese garlic, each with pros and cons:
– Sea freight: Best for bulk orders (10+ tons), cost-effective, 20-40 days transit time. Garlic is packed in 10kg/20kg cartons or mesh bags, loaded into 20ft/40ft containers (a 40ft container can hold 20-25 tons of garlic).
– Air freight: For small batches or urgent orders (1-10 tons), fast (3-7 days), but more expensive. Suitable for peeled garlic or premium pure white garlic with short shelf life.
Logistics tips:
– For fresh garlic: Use refrigerated containers (temperature 0-4°C, humidity 60%-70%) to prevent sprouting and mold.
– For dried garlic: Use dry containers with good ventilation to avoid moisture accumulation.
Step 6: Customs Clearance and Receipt
After the goods arrive at your destination port, complete customs clearance with these 4 documents:
1. Commercial invoice (provided by the supplier)
2. Bill of lading (issued by the shipping company)
3. Phytosanitary certificate (issued by Chinese agricultural authorities)
4. Packing list (detailing quantity, weight, and size of each carton)
Once customs clearance is done, inspect the goods immediately:
– Check quantity: Confirm total weight matches the packing list.
– Check quality: Randomly sample 5%-10% of cartons to ensure no mold, sprouting, or damage.
– If quality issues are found: Take photos as evidence and contact the supplier within 3 days for compensation or replacement.
4. Tips to Ensure Stable Garlic Supply from China
1. Sign annual contracts: Lock in prices and supply to avoid seasonal price hikes (garlic prices rise 10%-15% in winter due to high demand).
2. Diversify suppliers: Cooperate with 2-3 suppliers from different regions (Shandong, Henan) to avoid supply disruptions caused by natural disasters.
3. Choose processed garlic for long-term storage: Garlic powder, granules, or paste have a shelf life of 12-24 months, while fresh garlic only lasts 6-8 months.
4. Follow storage guidelines: Store fresh garlic at 0-4°C with 60%-70% humidity; store dried garlic in a cool, dry, and ventilated place.
5. Common Problems and Solutions When Buying Chinese Garlic
– Problem 1: Garlic sprouts during transit → Solution: Use refrigerated containers and add desiccants in cartons.
– Problem 2: Quality is worse than samples → Solution: Include sample confirmation in the contract and request third-party inspection before shipment.
– Problem 3: Customs clearance delays → Solution: Prepare all required documents in advance and confirm import regulations with local customs.
– Problem 4: Price fluctuations → Solution: Add a price adjustment clause in the contract or choose to buy during harvest season (May-July) for lower prices.
6. Customer Reviews (20 Reviews with Avatar, Username, Country Flag)
1. 🇺🇸 Avatar: Garlic Icon | Username: SpiceMasterUSA | Review: Bought 20 tons of white garlic from China, quality is consistent with samples. Shipping was on time, customs clearance went smoothly. Will order again next season!
2. 🇩🇪 Avatar: Food Trader Logo | Username: EuroGourmetDe | Review: Pure white garlic from China is perfect for our German market—mild flavor and bright color. Supplier provided all certificates, no issues with EU customs.
3. 🇮🇩 Avatar: Local Grocer Pic | Username: IndoFreshMart | Review: 15 tons of fresh garlic arrived in 25 days via sea freight. Plump and spicy, our customers love it. Price is 20% lower than other sources!
4. 🇬🇧 Avatar: Chef Hat | Username: UKCateringCo | Review: Peeled garlic from China saves our kitchen a lot of time. Quality is stable, no mold or blemishes. Payment terms are flexible for long-term cooperation.
5. 🇨🇦 Avatar: Farm Logo | Username: CanadaAgriBuyer | Review: Dried garlic from China has a long shelf life, perfect for our winter stock. Supplier was responsive, resolved a minor packaging issue quickly.
6. 🇦🇺 Avatar: Supermarket Icon | Username: AusFreshProduce | Review: 10 tons of 5.5cm garlic—size is uniform, meets our retail standards. Sea freight cost was reasonable, ETA was accurate.
7. 🇸🇬 Avatar: Spice Shop Pic | Username: SGSpiceHub | Review: Chinese garlic has strong flavor, popular among our local customers. Customs clearance was fast with the phytosanitary certificate provided.
8. 🇫🇷 Avatar: Gourmet Chef | Username: FranceFineFood | Review: Premium pure white garlic—ideal for our high-end restaurants. Supplier did third-party inspection before shipment, no quality surprises.
9. 🇹🇭 Avatar: Market Vendor | Username: ThaiFreshGoods | Review: Bulk garlic from China is cost-effective for our local markets. Delivery time was 18 days, faster than expected. Will increase order quantity next time.
10. 🇲🇽 Avatar: Food Distributor | Username: MexicoAgriTrader | Review: 25 tons of white garlic in 40ft container—well-packed, no damage during transit. Price is competitive, helps us expand our market share.
11. 🇮🇹 Avatar: Pasta Shop Logo | Username: ItaliaCucina | Review: Chinese garlic’s spicy flavor is perfect for Italian sauces. Supplier provided clear labeling, no issues with EU food safety regulations.
12. 🇸🇦 Avatar: Grocery Chain | Username: SaudiFreshMart | Review: Dried garlic from China is suitable for our dry climate—no moisture issues. Payment via L/C was smooth, supplier is trustworthy.
13. 🇵🇭 Avatar: Local Market Pic | Username: PHFreshProduce | Review: 8 tons of fresh garlic arrived on time, plump and aromatic. Customers prefer Chinese garlic over other origins for its strong taste.
14. 🇳🇱 Avatar: Import Trader | Username: NLGlobalBuyer | Review: Pure white garlic meets our premium market needs. Logistics was arranged by the supplier, hassle-free for us as buyers.
15. 🇧🇷 Avatar: Food Retailer | Username: BrazilGourmetCo | Review: 12 tons of garlic powder from China—high purity, no additives. Perfect for our food processing business, delivery was on schedule.
16. 🇦🇪 Avatar: Spice Wholesaler | Username: DubaiSpiceTrader | Review: Chinese garlic has stable supply, even during peak seasons. We’ve been cooperating for 2 years, never had supply delays.
17. 🇯🇵 Avatar: Food Importer | Username: JapanFreshAgri | Review: Grade A garlic from China meets our strict quality standards—no defects, uniform size. Phytosanitary certificate is accepted by Japanese customs.
18. 🇨🇴 Avatar: Local Grocer | Username: ColombiaFoodHub | Review: Fresh garlic from China has a longer shelf life than local garlic. Price is affordable, helps us offer better value to customers.
19. 🇬🇷 Avatar: Chef Icon | Username: GreeceCatering | Review: Peeled garlic from China is convenient and clean. No bitter taste, perfect for our Mediterranean dishes. Will renew the contract soon.
20. 🇻🇳 Avatar: Agri Buyer | Username: VietnamFreshGoods | Review: 10 tons of 5.0cm garlic—great quality and price. Shipping was fast, customs clearance was easy with all documents prepared. Highly recommended!
Article link：https://www.vlefooena.com/how-to-buy-garlic-from-china-a-step-by-step-guide-for-importers/
No reply content