Frequently Asked Questions

MulanXU's wholesale base is located in Tianxin Village, Xingcun Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province — the core production area of Wuyi Zheng Yan tea and the main origin of the "Three Pits and Two Ravines" Zheng Yan teas. Tianxin Village has over 800 years of tea cultivation history and preserves abundant old tea trees over a century old. The Mulan Tea Story Group owns 30 mu of core tea gardens here and maintains long-term, stable partnerships with several premium local cooperatives, ensuring consistent supply and quality. Compared with sourcing from the market, buying directly from the source maximizes tea quality while lowering procurement costs.

MulanXU's MOQ varies by product type and purchasing model: spot loose-leaf wholesale starts at 1 kg; finished gift boxes/canned products typically start at 10 boxes/cans; OEM private label MOQs depend on the specific product. For new customers, we recommend requesting samples first (sample fees are charged but credited toward bulk orders), then placing formal orders once satisfied. We also support drop-shipping, which is especially helpful for e-commerce sellers in reducing upfront capital pressure.

Yes. We strongly recommend all new customers request samples before placing formal orders. Sample fees are based on product value (usually RMB 50-200 per item), and sample fees are fully credited once your bulk order reaches a certain threshold. Application process: contact a sales consultant → state your purchasing intent and product needs → pay the sample fee → taste and evaluate the samples after receipt → proceed to formal purchasing if satisfied. Samples are typically shipped via SF Express/JD Express, arriving within 1-3 business days.

Wholesale tea prices are typically 40-70% of retail prices. The exact rate depends on: ① purchase volume (larger volumes earn bigger discounts); ② product grade (premium collectible products have less discount room); ③ packaging (loose-leaf carries lower discounts than gift-boxed products); ④ depth of cooperation (long-term strategic partners enjoy better tiered pricing). We offer a transparent pricing system with no hidden fees — quotes are CIF or FOB prices, tax-inclusive as specified, depending on the trade terms.

Absolutely. MulanXU has designed flexible procurement plans for small-batch customers: wholesale pricing starts from as little as RMB 500 per order. For small-batch needs of e-commerce sellers, WeChat business teams and boutique tea space entrepreneurs, we also offer drop-shipping — you take orders, we ship them — no need to hold inventory, reducing capital lock-up and warehousing costs. Note that minimum order quantities vary by product grade and packaging; premium products may require higher minimums.

For newcomers to the tea industry, we suggest choosing products along two dimensions: ① broad appeal and easy sales — start with Wuyi Rock Tea (Rougui/Shuixian) or Tongmu Pass Black Tea (Jin Junmei/Lapsang Souchong), both of which enjoy high recognition, broad consumer acceptance and mature market perception; ② higher margins and differentiation — try Phoenix Dan Cong or Fuding White Tea; Dan Cong offers rich aroma varieties and white tea ages well, ideal for building a signature product line. We recommend starting with 2-3 categories and going deep rather than wide, then expanding once your supply chain is stable.

Wholesale is a straightforward buy-sell relationship with order-by-order purchasing, no territorial protection, suitable for multi-channel buyers; agency/distribution typically comes with territorial protection, annual targets and exclusive pricing structures. MulanXU currently focuses on wholesale while also offering two deeper cooperation models: City Partner and Brand Distributor. City Partners enjoy exclusive regional operating rights, and brand distributors can sell through the Tmall platform. Contact our business team for detailed cooperation plans.

MulanXU supports the following payment methods: ① online payment (Alipay/WeChat Pay/bank transfer); ② corporate account transfer (VAT special invoices available); ③ payment terms — clients with good credit and long-term cooperation can enjoy 30-60 day payment terms, with the specific term assessed by purchase volume and cooperation history. First-time customers are advised to settle on a cash basis and may apply for credit terms once trust is established. Large orders can be paid in stages (deposit + balance) to reduce risk for both parties.

The qualifications required for OEM customization depend on your sales channels and target market: ① business license (required for corporate customers; individual customers can use their ID card); ② trademark registration certificate (recommended but not mandatory — if you don't have a trademark, you can start with a MulanXU brand license or apply for one); ③ food business license (recommended for selling food-grade tea, though you can initially sell under another entity). The SC production license is provided by MulanXU, so customers don't need to build their own factory. We can also recommend trademark registration agents and SC certification consultants to help customers complete all qualification preparations in one stop.

The 4-step Jin Junmei OEM process: Step 1: Requirements confirmation (1-3 business days) — clarify the Jin Junmei grade (premium/first/second), packaging format, target price range and estimated order volume, then sign a letter of intent; Step 2: Sample making (7-15 business days) — MulanXU provides 3-5 rounds of free sample making, adjusting flavor and packaging based on your feedback until you're satisfied; Step 3: Batch production (15-30 business days, depending on order volume) — production is scheduled after sample confirmation, with on-time delivery; Step 4: QC and delivery — goods ship after passing third-party testing, with a quality inspection report attached to every batch.

The cost of customizing a tea brand depends on several factors: ① product cost (tea leaf raw material + packaging materials, about 60-70% of total cost); ② packaging design (RMB 0 for adapting an existing stock design, about RMB 5,000-20,000 for a brand-new mold design); ③ order quantity (MOQ typically starts at 50-100 boxes); ④ supporting services (SC certification consulting, traceability system integration and other extra fees). Taking a 100g canned Jin Junmei as an example: from about RMB 80-150 per can (tea + packaging + processing), with lower prices for large-volume customization. We recommend contacting a sales consultant for a detailed quote.

The total cycle from requirements confirmation to finished goods delivery is about 4-8 weeks, broken down as: ① requirements communication + sample confirmation, about 2-3 weeks; ② packaging design + sample approval, about 1-2 weeks (faster with stock design adaptation); ③ batch production, about 2-4 weeks (depending on order volume); ④ QC + logistics, about 1 week. If you use an existing stock packaging design (changing only the logo), the cycle can be shortened to 3-4 weeks. We use standardized production processes with an on-time delivery rate above 98%; if a delay occurs due to our reasons, compensation will be paid as agreed in the contract.

Yes. You can choose from three cooperation modes: ① provide your own design files — you supply the design files (AI/PSD/PDF formats, 300dpi or higher), and we handle printing production (files will be reviewed to ensure they meet printing requirements); ② MulanXU-assisted design — our professional design team designs the packaging to match your brand identity, with fees based on complexity (RMB 3,000-8,000 for a redesign, RMB 8,000-20,000 for a brand-new design); ③ use a stock design — choose an existing stock packaging design with only the logo and some text changed, free or at very low cost.

Absolutely. MulanXU has a professional tea-tasting team and blenders who can tailor flavors to your target customers' preferences: ① roasting level adjustment — light/medium/heavy roast affects the strength of the liquor and the type of aroma; ② variety blending — different varieties blended in proportion to balance taste and cost; ③ vintage/origin blending — mixing new and aged teas or materials from different regions to create a distinctive flavor. Customization process: state your flavor requirements → the tasting team prepares 3-5 samples → you taste and compare → choose the best option → production begins after confirmation.

Yes. This is exactly the core OEM model — you handle the brand and marketing, and we handle production. You provide the trademark license, and we produce under your brand name, with the products made using MulanXU's recipes and techniques. This model suits: established brands wanting to launch a product line quickly, entrepreneurs with limited capital who don't want to build their own factory, and those wanting to test market response quickly. The MOQ for pure private label typically starts at 50-100 boxes, depending on the product type.

Quality assurance: we operate a comprehensive QC system — every batch of finished products must pass third-party authority testing before leaving the factory. Main test items include: 286 pesticide residue items (compliant with national GB standards and EU standards), 5 heavy metal items (lead/arsenic/mercury/cadmium/chromium), and microbiological indicators (total plate count/E. coli/pathogenic bacteria). Non-conforming products never leave the factory. Traceability: every product can be connected to the MulanXU blockchain traceability system — consumers scan the code to view the full-chain data from raw material to finished product. After-sales: if quality issues are found within 7 days of receipt, unconditional return or exchange.

MulanXU has served 500+ brand clients, covering e-commerce sellers, offline chain stores, corporate gift customization and foreign trade export. Typical cases include: a best-selling Jin Junmei with 10,000+ monthly orders for a leading e-commerce store; stable supply to 50 stores of a national tea chain; 5,000 annual gift sets for an internet company; EU-certified black tea export for a cross-border trader; and 0-to-1 incubation of an emerging DGI tea brand. For client privacy, specific brand names cannot be disclosed publicly, but we can share success experience from similar clients — welcome to contact a sales consultant.

Yes — small-batch trial production is one of MulanXU's core services. We've designed flexible MOQ policies for small-batch customers: customized production starts from as few as 30-50 boxes (limited to certain product types). Small-batch trial production suits: testing market response to new flavors/packaging, small-scale stocking in the early stage of a startup, and one-off purchases for trade shows/events. Note that small-batch trial production cannot benefit from large-volume economies of scale, so per-box cost is slightly higher than large orders — but it helps you reduce market-testing risk. We recommend confirming market acceptance before moving to large-scale production.

Both Jin Junmei and Lapsang Souchong are black teas from Tongmu Pass, Wuyi Mountain, but with these core differences: ① raw material grade — Jin Junmei is made only from bud tips (50,000-60,000 bud tips make one jin of dry tea), while Lapsang Souchong typically uses one bud with one or two leaves; ② processing — Jin Junmei's process is more refined, emphasizing retention of floral, fruity and honey aromas; ③ price — due to scarce raw materials, Jin Junmei typically costs 3-5 times as much as Lapsang Souchong; ④ taste — Jin Junmei is more delicate and sweet, while Lapsang Souchong is richer and more mellow. In short: Jin Junmei is the "pinnacle" of Lapsang Souchong.

Jin Junmei is made entirely from bud tips because bud tips are rich in theanine and aromatic compounds, producing tea that is fresher, sweeter and notably floral-fruity. One jin of premium dry Jin Junmei requires 50,000-60,000 bud tips; a skilled picker can gather only about 1,000-1,500 bud tips per day, so picking cost alone is considerable for a jin of dry tea. Combined with the limited tea garden area in the Zheng Shan region (only about 8,000 mu of Zheng Shan gardens at Tongmu Pass), raw material scarcity further drives up cost. The raw material cost of authentic Tongmu Pass Jin Junmei is usually above RMB 800-2,000 per jin; adding processing and distribution costs, any market price below RMB 300 per jin can basically be judged as not authentic Tongmu Pass Jin Junmei.

The two styles of Lapsang Souchong mainly stem from differences in the drying process: traditional Lapsang Souchong is dried over pine-wood smoke, absorbing the smoky aroma to create a distinctive "longan broth + pine smoke" flavor — an original technique passed down for over 400 years, suited to seasoned drinkers who enjoy a rich, traditional character; modern Lapsang Souchong uses electric or charcoal drying (no smoke), preserving the tea's natural floral and fruity aromas with a cleaner, more elegant taste, suited to consumers who aren't used to smoky flavors and to tea beginners. Both processes have their own merits — there's no such thing as a more "authentic" one; the choice comes down to personal taste.

Located in Xingcun Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, Tongmu Pass is the birthplace of the world's black tea — according to historical records, Lapsang Souchong black tea was created in 1568, making it the ancestor of all black teas worldwide. Tongmu Pass produces high-quality black tea thanks to its unique ecological environment: ① altitude — averaging 1,000-1,500 meters with year-round mist and clouds; ② climate — large temperature differences between day and night slow tea growth, favoring the accumulation of amino acids and aromatic compounds; ③ soil — typical Wuyi Mountain Danxia landform weathered-rock soil, rich in minerals; ④ ecology — pristine forest cover with tea gardens intermingled among bamboo and mixed woods, creating a distinctive "mountain character". The "Zheng Shan" in Lapsang Souchong refers to the core production area within about 50 kilometers of Tongmu Pass.

The high price of Tongmu Pass black tea is mainly due to: ① extreme raw material scarcity — the Zheng Shan tea garden area at Tongmu Pass is only about 8,000 mu with limited output, while market demand is high, so supply falls short; ② high picking costs — Jin Junmei requires all bud-tip picking, with high labor costs; ③ demanding craftsmanship — the traditional pine-smoke process for Lapsang Souchong requires skilled masters and is time-consuming; ④ irreplaceable quality — Tongmu Pass's unique "mountain character" (rock charm + high-mountain charm) cannot be replicated by other regions; ⑤ brand premium — Lapsang Souchong/Jin Junmei are already synonymous with premium black tea, carrying a certain brand premium. Therefore, suspiciously low-priced products are most likely not authentic Tongmu Pass black tea — they may be imitations from outside the region or products made with deceptive processing.

Jin Junmei price differences mainly appear in: ① origin — Tongmu Pass Zheng Shan Jin Junmei is the most expensive (RMB 1,000-5,000+ per jin), while Jin Junmei from other regions (such as Jianyang, Zhenghe, etc.) is cheaper (RMB 200-800 per jin); ② raw material grade — all-bud premium grade is the most expensive, followed by one bud with one leaf; ③ picking season — pre-Qingming Jin Junmei (early spring) costs more than pre-rain; ④ craft level — traditional processing by experienced tea masters costs more; ⑤ tree age — material from old bushes/wild tea trees costs more; ⑥ brand — well-known tea companies/inheritors of intangible cultural heritage carry a premium. When purchasing, we recommend verifying origin certificates and quality inspection reports and being wary of suspiciously low-priced products.

Several counterfeiting methods exist in the market, mainly: ① dyeing — using pigments (such as tartrazine and sunset yellow) to color the leaves, making the dry leaf and liquor appear more attractively golden; ② added sugar — adding sugar during processing to increase sweetness and gloss; ③ added essence — adding floral-fruity essences to imitate natural aromas. How to tell: ① inspect the dry leaf — genuine Jin Junmei is predominantly dark brown (a few golden bud tips are normal); an all-golden appearance may indicate dyeing; ② smell the aroma — genuine Jin Junmei has a natural honey + floral aroma that doesn't cloy; essence-laced tea smells sharp and dissipates quickly; ③ taste — genuine Jin Junmei has a lasting sweet aftertaste, while sugar-added tea tastes sweet at first but quickly turns bitter; ④ inspect the infused leaf — genuine Jin Junmei leaves are bright and open, while dyed leaves appear reddish and dull; ⑤ professional testing — the most reliable method is checking the quality inspection report for pigment, saccharin and essence tests.

Different aroma styles of Lapsang Souchong suit different scenarios and people: ① pine-smoke style (traditional process) — for seasoned drinkers who enjoy traditional black tea flavor; the unique smoked longan aroma carries cultural depth, making it a tasteful gift, while for personal drinking it offers an authentic black tea experience; ② floral-fruity style (modern process) — for tea beginners and younger consumers; the fresh, elegant aroma is widely accepted and great for everyday drinking; ③ honey style — distinctly sweet, ideal for consumers who like sweet tea and pairs perfectly with afternoon tea desserts; ④ fruity style — rich fruit notes, suited to those who enjoy fruity tea drinks. For gifts, we recommend pine-smoke style (more culturally rich); for personal drinking, choose according to your taste.

Xiao Chigan and Da Chigan are two grades of Lapsang Souchong: Xiao Chigan is made from one bud with one leaf. "Chigan" comes from the Wuyi Mountain dialect — "chi" means slightly reddish (tender) and "gan" means sweet, implying that tea made from tender buds carries sweetness. Xiao Chigan has a delicate, sweet liquor with evident floral-fruity aroma and excellent value for money. Da Chigan is made from one bud with two leaves — larger leaves, a richer and fuller flavor with a clear longan sweetness, and it can be steeped more times. Simply put: Xiao Chigan is the "tender version" and Da Chigan is the "bold version". Buying advice: choose Da Chigan for daily drinking (infuses well and economical), and Xiao Chigan for gifting or tasting (delicate texture).

Century-old Cong Lapsang Souchong refers to tea produced from Lapsang Souchong tea trees over 100 years old — extremely scarce and precious. What makes old Cong trees special: ① deep root systems — century-old trees' roots reach several meters underground, absorbing more minerals and trace elements for richer leaf content; ② mossy note — old trees often host moss, giving the tea a distinctive "mossy" or "reed-leaf" aroma, the hallmark of old Cong; ③ woody aroma — old trees are highly lignified, lending a unique woody fragrance; ④ extreme mellowness — thick, smooth and silky with a long sweet aftertaste; the so-called "Cong character" is the key criterion for judging old Cong. True century-old Cong has very limited production and typically retails above RMB 1,000 per jin.

Jin Junmei is a highly versatile premium black tea: ① personal drinking — for tea lovers who value quality; tea made from tender bud tips tastes fresh, sweet and smooth, requiring no complex brewing skills — simple brewing delivers great flavor; ② gifting — Jin Junmei is well-known, prestigious and beautifully packaged, an excellent choice for elders, executives and VIPs; ③ business hospitality — its elegant floral-fruity aroma appeals to all, perfect for business tea tables; ④ wedding favors — Jin Junmei has become a popular wedding favor in recent years — festive yet tasteful; ⑤ holiday gifting — Jin Junmei gift boxes are a dignified choice for Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and other holidays. We recommend choosing products with proper packaging and quality inspection reports to ensure quality and food safety.

Black tea and rock tea each have their own characteristics, suiting different types of beginners: black tea is better for — beginner-friendly: black tea is fully fermented, mild on the stomach, sweet and smooth in the mouth, and widely accepted; simple brewing: it can be brewed directly in a glass without special technique and rarely turns bitter; broadly palatable: the floral-fruity + honey flavor appeals to most tastes. Rock tea is better for — those with tea-drinking habits: rock tea has a rich, intense flavor with the unique "rock bone and floral fragrance" character that new drinkers may need to get used to; those pursuing expertise: rock tea offers a wealth of varieties (Rougui/Shuixian/Dahongpao, etc.), ideal for people who want to go deeper into tea; those who enjoy complexity: rock tea emphasizes terroir, craft and brewing, offering more room for exploration. Suggestion: those who have never drunk tea can start with Lapsang Souchong (floral-fruity style).

Phoenix Dan Cong and Wuyi Rock Tea both belong to the oolong (blue-green) tea category but differ mainly in: ① origin — Dan Cong comes from Phoenix Mountain, Chaozhou, Guangdong; rock tea comes from Wuyi Mountain, Fujian; ② cultivar — Dan Cong uses the Phoenix Shuixian cultivar (South China tea region), while rock tea uses Wuyi Caicha/Shuixian/Rougui and others (Northern Fujian tea region); ③ processing — Dan Cong emphasizes "zuo qing" (withering and oxidation manipulation) for high, aromatic fragrances; rock tea emphasizes roasting for "rock bone and floral fragrance"; ④ taste — Dan Cong has soaring aromas (the top-ten fragrance varieties) with a relatively fresh, clean character; rock tea is rich and intense with a distinctive "rock charm" (yan yun) and obvious sweet aftertaste; ⑤ price — entry-level Dan Cong is affordable, while entry-level rock tea is comparatively pricier.

Yashixiang's formal name is "Yinhua Xiang" (Silver Flower Aroma), one of the top-ten Phoenix Dan Cong fragrance varieties. It gets this name because its aroma resembles the silver flower (gardenia + orchid blend) found on the mountain. As for the nickname "Yashixiang" (Duck Shit Aroma), folk accounts offer several explanations: ① growing environment — the original trees reportedly grew on a yellow soil locally called "duck-shit soil"; ② preventing theft — farmers deliberately gave it an ugly name to discourage others from stealing cuttings; ③ aroma character — some described its intense aroma as resembling duck droppings (an exaggeration — it is actually a distinctive floral tea aroma). Today Yashixiang is one of the best-known Dan Cong varieties on the market, and some tea companies now also sell it under the formal name "Yinhua Xiang".

Both Yashixiang and Milanxiang are classic Phoenix Dan Cong fragrance varieties. Choosing advice: Yashixiang features — aroma: silver flower (an elegant gardenia + orchid blend) with a hint of milky note; taste: fresh, sweet and clean with good aftertaste; suited to: beginners, younger tea drinkers, and those who prefer lighter flavors; brewing: works well in a gaiwan or easy-brew cup, hard to get wrong. Milanxiang features — aroma: a honey + orchid composite, richer in intensity; taste: full-bodied and mellow with obvious honeyed sweetness and a lasting aftertaste; suited to: those who enjoy bold flavors and have tea-drinking habits; brewing: quite infusible but requires some brewing skill. In short: choose Yashixiang as a beginner, and Milanxiang once you have some foundation. For gifting, both are popular choices.

The ten classic Phoenix Dan Cong fragrance varieties are: ① Zhilanxiang — iris-like orchid fragrance, elegant and delicate; ② Milanxiang — honey + orchid, rich, mellow with sweet aftertaste; ③ Yashixiang (Yinhua Xiang) — gardenia and orchid, fresh and sweet; ④ Huangzhixiang — gardenia fragrance, fresh and sweet; ⑤ Xingrenxiang — almond and nutty fragrance, fresh and distinctive; ⑥ Jianghuaxiang — ginger flower freshness with a hint of spice; ⑦ Yelaixiang — tuberose fragrance, rich and soaring; ⑧ Molixiang — jasmine fragrance, elegant; ⑨ Yulanxiang — magnolia fragrance, intense; ⑩ Rouguixiang — cinnamon spice (not Wuyi Rougui). Besides the top ten, there are finer varieties such as Juduozi (a type of almond fragrance) and Baxian (a Zhilanxiang variant).

Detailed characteristics of the four fragrance varieties: Zhilanxiang — an elegant, refined iris-like orchid fragrance; the liquor carries clear floral notes with a good aftertaste; one of the most stable-quality varieties in Dan Cong. Huangzhixiang — dominated by gardenia fragrance, high and soaring; fresh, sweet and clean on the palate; one of the most widely accepted varieties, ideal for those new to Dan Cong. Jianghuaxiang — a unique ginger flower freshness with a slight spicy note; fresh and distinctive, suited to consumers who like individual flavors. Xingrenxiang — clear almond/nutty aroma; smooth liquor with an elegant, distinctive character and high recognizability, suited to tea drinkers who want differentiated products. Buying advice: beginners should try Huangzhixiang or Zhilanxiang; experienced drinkers can explore Jianghuaxiang and Xingrenxiang.

Wholesalers carry Phoenix Dan Cong mainly for the following reasons: ① category richness — Dan Cong offers ten fragrance varieties and dozens of sub-varieties with wide differences in aroma and taste, giving consumers plenty of choice and helping wholesalers build a rich product matrix; ② market demand — Dan Cong has grown in popularity in recent years, especially among younger tea drinkers and lovers of fresh-fragrance teas, so wholesalers need to satisfy diverse customer needs; ③ channel coverage — wholesalers' customers (tea houses, e-commerce, supermarkets, etc.) need full-category tea supply; selling only rock tea/black tea cannot meet customers' one-stop procurement needs; ④ origin cooperation — tea farmers at Phoenix Mountain in Chaozhou focus on cultivation while wholesalers focus on sales; this division of labor is the industry norm. MulanXU has stable cooperative resources at Phoenix Mountain and can supply authentic Phoenix Dan Cong.

The main differences between Dan Cong and Tieguanyin: ① origin — Phoenix Dan Cong comes from Phoenix Mountain, Chaozhou, Guangdong; Tieguanyin comes from Anxi, Fujian (Southern Fujian oolong); ② fragrance — Dan Cong is extremely diverse (ten fragrance varieties), while Tieguanyin centers on the "Guanyin charm", with relatively few aroma styles (clear-fragrance, rich-fragrance and aged-fragrance processing styles); ③ processing focus — Dan Cong emphasizes "zuo qing" (shaking) to bring out fragrance, while Tieguanyin emphasizes "bao rou" (wrapping and rolling) to form its tightly rolled granular shape; ④ appearance — Dan Cong is strip-shaped, while Tieguanyin forms round, tightly rolled granules resembling dragonfly heads/frog legs; ⑤ taste — Dan Cong is high-aroma and fresh on the palate, while Tieguanyin is full-bodied with a "Guanyin charm" aftertaste; ⑥ market positioning — Tieguanyin enjoys higher recognition (especially in northern markets), while Dan Cong is more popular in southern markets.

Beginner recommendations for Dan Cong: first choice: Yashixiang (Yinhua Xiang) — a fresh, likable aroma with no odd associations; sweet, smooth and refreshing; suitable for everyone regardless of age or gender, with the lowest chance of disappointment. Second choice: Milanxiang — a honey + orchid sweet fragrance; rich yet elegant with a good aftertaste; more appreciated by those with some tea experience. Third choice: Huangzhixiang — obvious gardenia fragrance, fresh and soaring, suited to consumers who like floral teas. We suggest beginners start with entry-level products at RMB 100-200 per jin to get a feel for Dan Cong's distinctive "fragrance" and "sweetness", then upgrade to tasting-grade products once they're hooked. It's not advisable to start with very high-priced Dan Cong, because recognizing the fragrances takes some experience.

SC (food production license) is a mandatory qualification for selling tea domestically in China. Application process: ① requirements — you need qualified production premises, equipment, personnel and a quality management system; ② timeline — about 3-6 months from application to receiving the license; ③ costs — about RMB 5,000-20,000 if applied for independently (including testing and review fees), or about RMB 30,000-80,000 through an agency. MulanXU's OEM customers don't need to apply for SC themselves — production uses MulanXU's SC qualification (private label), and MulanXU provides the full set of production qualification documents, saving customers the hassle. If a customer wants to build their own factory or develop their own brand long-term, we can recommend professional SC agencies.

The main certifications and requirements for exporting tea to the EU: ① CE certification — the EU market access mark, proving the product meets EU safety, health and environmental standards; ② organic certification (optional but recommended) — EU Organic certification is a plus for premium tea; ③ pesticide residue standards — the EU is extremely strict on tea pesticide residues, using a Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) system with about 500+ test items; the most common key indicators include glyphosate, fluoroquinolones, etc.; ④ microbiological testing — compliance with EU food microbiological standards; ⑤ export documents — certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, health certificate, etc. MulanXU can assist with the full set of export certifications and document preparation, and supply tea raw materials that meet EU standards.

Market-access standards vary considerably by country and region: Japan — strict pesticide residue standards, accepts JAS organic certification, about 300+ test items, high requirements on tea color and appearance, and requires radioactivity testing (a requirement added after the Fukushima nuclear accident); US — requires FDA registration, accepts organic certification (USDA Organic), uses a "zero tolerance + limits" dual standard for pesticide residues, about 200+ test items; Southeast Asia — relatively lenient standards; most countries accept China's SC certification, some require Halal certification, with fewer test items; South Korea — fairly strict pesticide residue standards and requires KC certification. The certifications and tests needed differ by destination country, so we recommend discussing your target market with MulanXU in advance — we will provide a tailored compliance plan.

Ways to integrate with the MulanXU blockchain traceability system: ① standard integration (recommended for beginners) — MulanXU provides ready-made traceability QR codes; customers simply affix them to product packaging with no technical integration needed; ② API integration — supports ERP/e-commerce system integration with automatic synchronization of order and batch information, suitable for high-volume customers; ③ custom traceability pages — the post-scan page (logo, colors, copy, etc.) can be customized to match your brand identity. Technical support: full technical documentation, 7x24 technical support, and training guidance. Integration cost: the standard traceability service is provided free (OEM customers only); custom development is quoted separately.

Export tea logistics typically follows several models: ① FOB (Free On Board) — MulanXU delivers the goods to the designated Chinese port; freight and insurance are borne by the buyer; ② CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) — MulanXU covers sea freight and insurance; the buyer handles customs clearance; ③ DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — a one-stop MulanXU service covering transport + insurance + customs clearance + delivery to the designated warehouse, worry-free for the buyer. MulanXU's scope: we provide one-stop DDP service until goods arrive at the customer's overseas warehouse. If FOB/CIF is chosen, risk transfers to the buyer once goods are loaded aboard the vessel. Customs clearance documents (provided by MulanXU): certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, commercial invoice, packing list, health certificate, etc.

A foreign trade company usually needs to provide the following qualifications: ① business license (with goods import/export or technology import/export in the business scope); ② foreign trade operator registration (online registration with the Ministry of Commerce); ③ import/export cargo consignee/consignor registration (customs registration); ④ bank account — for receiving foreign exchange and paying for goods. If the foreign trade company purchases as a customer (not exporting independently, with MulanXU assisting export), fewer qualifications are needed — just the company's business license and purchase intent. MulanXU's foreign trade services: we are familiar with international trade procedures and can assist foreign trade customers with export certification, customs declaration, international logistics, customs clearance and all other steps, letting customers focus on overseas market development.

HS Codes and tariffs for tea vary by destination and tea type. China export HS Codes: 0902.10 (green tea; semi-fermented tea/oolong 0902.20, black tea 0902.30 (black tea, in immediate packings of <=3kg), 0902.40 (black tea, other packings). Tariffs of major destination markets: EU — about 0-8% (depending on trade agreements), VAT-exempt; US — about 0-6.5% (most-favored-nation rate), with some Chinese teas exempt from additional tariffs; Japan — about 0-15% (lower under preferential agreement rates); Southeast Asia — 0-5% in most countries (RCEP preferential rates). Tariff policies change from time to time, so please consult MulanXU for the latest duty rates and HS Code confirmation before shipping.

Organic tea certification is a certification system that prohibits synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers and GMO technology in tea garden cultivation and production. Main certification types: domestic organic certification (China Organic Product Certification, GB/T 19630); EU Organic; USDA Organic; Japan JAS. Certification timeline: about 12-18 months domestically, and about 18-24 months for the EU (including the conversion period). Is it worth it: suitable for — exporting to premium EU/US/Japan markets, building a premium brand, and strong pricing power (organic tea usually costs 30-100% more than regular tea); not suitable for — ordinary channel sales and where costs would rise (organic gardens yield 30-50% less with higher management costs). MulanXU can supply organic tea raw materials and has partnerships with several organically certified tea gardens.

Using blockchain traceability is simple for consumers: ① scan — scan the QR code on the tea packaging with WeChat or Alipay; ② view traceability information — the page shows: basic tea information (product name/net weight/production date), tea garden information (origin/altitude/variety), picking information (date/personnel), production information (process/batch), a link to the quality inspection report, and logistics tracking; ③ verify authenticity — if it shows "first query" with complete information, the product is genuine; if it shows "already queried N times" and it wasn't you, it may be counterfeit. Anti-counterfeit highlight: data is stored on the blockchain and cannot be tampered with — even a hacker attack cannot alter the historical record, making counterfeiting extremely costly.

MulanXU's warehousing standards: Wuyi Mountain warehouse (main) — located in the Wuyi Mountain tea production area for nearby storage of raw tea; temperature 18-22°C, humidity 50-65%, managed as a professional tea warehouse. Hangzhou warehouse (branch) — located in Hangzhou to meet fast-shipping needs in East China, with the same warehousing standards. Specific conditions: constant temperature — maintained at 18-22°C year-round (±2°C) to prevent oxidation and deterioration caused by temperature fluctuation; constant humidity — 50-65% (±5%) to avoid mold from dampness or aroma loss from excessive dryness; light protection — blackout curtains plus dark packaging to prevent light-accelerated oxidation; ventilation — a professional ventilation system keeps air circulating; odor isolation — stored away from odorous goods to prevent cross-contamination of aroma; FIFO — the inventory system automatically manages batches to ensure freshness.

Domestic delivery: covers all of mainland China (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan can be shipped but at higher cost). Free shipping policy: orders of RMB 500 or more ship free (mainland China only); orders below RMB 500 incur a RMB 15-30 shipping fee (depending on weight and destination). Delivery time: SF Express/JD Express, 1-3 days to major cities and 3-5 days to remote areas. International delivery: covers 7+ countries/regions including the US, the EU, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Dubai and Australia. International shipping is borne by the buyer; we offer DDP (shipping + customs clearance included) or FOB (buyer arranges pickup) quoting. Drop-shipping: e-commerce customers can use the drop-shipping service with a per-order fulfillment fee — no need to hold inventory.

MulanXU's quality issue handling process: ① within 7 days of receipt — if quality issues are found (such as damaged packaging, dampness/deterioration, foreign matter, etc.), take photos as evidence and contact customer service for unconditional return or exchange; ② after 7 days from receipt — if the quality issue is confirmed to be caused by us (such as over-fermentation or mold), we will provide a quality inspection report and negotiate a solution; ③ taste issues — taste varies with personal preference and is not a quality issue, but if the product differs from the sample, contact customer service to discuss a solution. Response time: customer service responds within 24 hours and provides a solution within 48 hours after the issue is confirmed. Compensation: genuine quality issues are compensated based on actual loss, up to 150% of the batch value.

MulanXU's return/exchange policy: returnable/exchangeable cases: ① quality issues — product quality problems (deterioration/dampness/foreign matter, etc.) can be returned or exchanged within 7 days; ② wrong or missing items — goods received not matching the order are returnable/exchangeable unconditionally; ③ logistics damage — packaging/product damage caused by shipping is returnable/exchangeable unconditionally; ④ sample mismatch — if finished goods differ significantly from the confirmed sample, we will negotiate a solution. Non-returnable cases: ① customer's own reasons — wrong order/dislike/taste differences (taste is subjective and not a quality issue); ② opened products that affect resale — tea that has been opened and tasted; ③ overdue — quality issue claims beyond 7 days after receipt. Return process: contact customer service → provide photo/video evidence → confirm the solution → return the goods → refund or reship. We recommend inspecting goods within 24 hours of receipt and reporting any issues promptly.

Several important trends in the 2025-2026 tea wholesale market: ① health-oriented — low-glycemic-index (DGI), organic and pesticide-free are becoming purchasing keywords, especially favored by mid-to-high-end consumers; ② branding — consumers increasingly trust brands; unbranded/loose tea's market share is shrinking, and wholesalers with brand backing are more favored; ③ digitalization — B2B procurement is also moving online, with 1688/WeChat mini-programs/e-commerce platforms becoming procurement channels; ④ traceability — blockchain traceability is shifting from a "plus" to a "must"; products without traceability struggle to enter premium channels; ⑤ personalization — customization demand is growing, OEM/ODM orders are taking a larger share, and the wholesale barrier is shifting from "price" to "service capability".

Based on market data over the past two years, category growth: ① white tea — the fastest growing; white tea's collectible nature ("one year as tea, three years as medicine, seven years as treasure") plus its light, pleasant taste and long-term storage capability have attracted significant capital and consumers, with an annual compound growth rate of about 20-30%; ② Phoenix Dan Cong — second fastest; younger consumers' acceptance of high-fragrance oolongs has risen, with outstanding performance on e-commerce channels; ③ black tea — steady growth; gift demand for Jin Junmei/Lapsang Souchong remains stable, and international demand (especially from Southeast Asia and Europe) is growing; ④ rock tea — growth is slowing but prices continue to rise, driven by resource scarcity and collectibility; ⑤ green tea — a stable market with a loyal consumer base for pre-Qingming and highland green teas.

Young people's (Gen Z/Millennial) tea-drinking trends are profoundly reshaping the tea wholesale industry: changing consumption scenarios — young people no longer drink tea only at the "tea table" but in offices, cafes and on the go, requiring convenience (tea bags/ready-to-drink) and smaller formats (mini packs/single-serve sachets); changing taste preferences — they favor floral-fruity, light, non-bitter teas and have low acceptance of traditional strong, heavy teas; changing purchase channels — they mainly discover products on Xiaohongshu, order via Douyin livestreams and e-commerce platforms, while traditional tea shop channels shrink. Implications for wholesalers: ① products must be "youthful" — launch small-format, convenient, sweet-fragrant product lines; ② channels must be "online" — supplying e-commerce sellers/livestreamers becomes a core business; ③ content must be "discoverable" — packaging content such as traceability stories and tasting guides is increasingly important.

The impact of online channels on traditional tea wholesale is both a challenge and an opportunity: Challenges: ① fewer intermediaries — livestream commerce bypasses traditional wholesalers, connecting tea farmers/factories directly with consumers; ② price transparency — price wars in livestream rooms squeeze profit margins, and buyers can compare prices more easily; ③ uneven quality — low-price competition leads to passing off inferior goods, hurting the industry's overall image. Opportunities: ① new channels mean new customers — sellers on Douyin/Xiaohongshu are a new wholesale customer group in need of reliable suppliers; ② content is traffic — professional traceability/tasting content becomes a differentiating competitive edge; ③ livestream product demand — livestream commerce needs large SKU ranges and fast fulfillment, so wholesalers with supply chain advantages become premium suppliers for livestream e-commerce. Conclusion: embracing online channels and serving e-commerce sellers is the transformation direction for traditional wholesalers.