Tea · importers
China reports $2.1B in the chapter that holds tea, coffee, mate and spices, tenth in the world, and it is the birthplace of tea and one of its largest producers.
| Market | HS 09 imports |
|---|---|
| United States | $11.7B |
| Germany | $6.5B |
| France | $4.0B |
| Italy | $3.4B |
| Canada | $2.4B |
Figures are for the whole of HS chapter 09 (coffee, tea, mate and spices); tea is only part of it. Source: UN Comtrade, as reported by national authorities; latest available year per market.
China grows, drinks and exports vast amounts of tea, so imported tea is a niche filling narrow gaps: particular black teas, speciality or aged teas from other countries, and herbal ingredients. Coffee is part of the same chapter and is growing in importance, so the $2.1B probably includes a lot more coffee than tea. The chapter is 0.1% of China’s $2.59T imports and ranks 59th among its import chapters.
The 3.1% share of reported world imports should not mislead a tea seller into seeing a large opening.
The best opportunities are for teas that China does not produce in the same style, such as certain black teas or premium items with a clear provenance, and for buyers who serve upmarket retail or tea-shop customers. Ask the importer what its customers cannot get from domestic suppliers and how they discover new teas.
Local-language labelling and a compelling origin story matter at the premium end. Consider adding value beyond the leaf itself: buyers at the premium end respond to a clear story about the estate, altitude, processing and season.
Food imports commonly involve foreign-supplier registration, inspection and labelling requirements, which the authorities set and change. Confirm the current position with them and your buyer before you ship. The Republic of Korea, the USA, Japan and Australia lead the overall source list, which reflects industrial trade.
Shipment records for the tea heading name receivers and weights, separately from coffee and spices.
Shipment records for tea name each receiver and cargo weight. Build a shortlist, agree Incoterm, currency, payment terms and port, and make contact through this site’s free marketplace.
To fill narrow gaps in style, origin and premium products that domestic producers do not cover.
Probably not. The chapter includes coffee, mate and spices, and coffee is growing.
Styles and origins China does not produce, and premium items with clear provenance.
Look at the tea heading in shipment data and rank receivers by weight.
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