Tea · importers
Switzerland reports $1.5B in the chapter that holds tea, coffee, mate and spices, thirteenth in the world, in a compact, high-income market for premium goods.
| 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.
The chapter is 0.4% of Switzerland’s $366.9B imports and ranks 27th among import chapters, well above the position in Germany, France or the UK. Precious stones at $124.1B and pharmaceuticals at $66.9B lead the bill. The country’s 2.3% share of reported world imports includes coffee and spices as well as tea, so the tea portion is a subset.
Swiss tea buyers include importers of premium and organic teas for specialist retail, hotels and restaurants, and packers supplying the grocery chains. Volumes are smaller than in large markets, but buyers are accustomed to paying for quality and to demanding documentation. Herbal infusions, including those made from alpine herbs, are a distinct local tradition.
Ask which end of the market a prospect serves and what certificates it needs. Premium buyers also expect a clear account of how the tea was grown and processed, including any organic or ethical certifications, and are willing to pay for it, so prepare this information before your first call.
Cargo arrives through ports elsewhere in Europe and continues by road or rail, so agree clearly where your responsibility ends. Residue and labelling rules are set by the authorities and can change, so confirm them. Germany, Italy, the USA and France lead the overall source list, which covers all goods.
Shipment records for the tea heading separate tea from coffee and spices and list receivers with weights.
Tea shipment data names receivers and weights. Choose a shortlist, settle Incoterm, currency, payment terms and handover point, and open contact through this site’s free marketplace.
The full chapter of coffee, tea, mate and spices, 2.3% of reported world imports.
Quality, complete documentation and, for many, organic status.
The country is landlocked, so sea cargo reaches it via other countries' ports.
Look at the tea heading in shipment data and compare receivers by cargo weight.
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