Thai tea is one of the easier Thai drink products to put on a shelf or into a cafe menu, but "Thai tea" on a quotation can mean several different things. Before you compare suppliers, decide which format you are actually buying. This guide walks through the formats, the specifications to pin down, the paperwork to request and how to run a first order.
What "Thai tea" can mean on a quotation
Suppliers use the term loosely. Ask each one to name the format clearly, because the format decides packaging, handling and the buyer you can sell to.
- Loose-leaf tea mix: a blend of black tea leaves with flavouring and colour, sold in bags for cafes and bubble tea shops to brew themselves.
- Instant powder: a ready-to-dissolve mix, often with sweetener and creamer included, sold in sachets, tubs or bulk bags.
- Tea bags: single-serve bags in boxes, for retail shelves and hotel supply.
- Ready-to-drink: bottles, cans or cartons. These bring beverage packaging, shelf-life and labelling questions that dry products do not.
- Other Thai teas: green tea, black tea and herbal infusions are separate product lines with their own specifications.
You can see how suppliers list these on the Thai tea, black tea, green tea and herbal tea category pages.
Specifications to put in your request
A vague enquiry gets a vague quotation. These are the items that most often change the price and the product.
- Format and pack size: loose-leaf, powder, tea bag or ready-to-drink, and the pack types you want, such as sachet, pouch, tub or carton.
- Sweetened or unsweetened: and whether creamer or milk powder is included in the mix.
- Ingredient list: ask for the full list, including colourings and flavourings, so you can check it against the rules in your market.
- Shelf life and storage: ask what date marking the supplier uses and how the product should be stored.
- Packaging material: moisture protection matters for powders and leaves. Ask what the inner and outer packaging are made of.
- Labelling: language, barcode, importer details and any required statements for your destination.
- Private label or supplier's own label: this affects artwork, printing and how quantities are discussed.
Quantities are discussed directly with each supplier, and timing and pricing are confirmed in the quotation. Do not assume that one supplier's terms apply to another.
Documents to request from each supplier
Do not rely on a product description alone. Ask each supplier what documents they can provide for your order and check them yourself. Typical requests include:
- A product specification sheet with the ingredient list.
- Factory or food-safety documents the supplier holds, such as HACCP or GMP records. See Understanding Thai Export Certifications for what these mean.
- Halal documentation if you sell to Muslim-majority markets, issued by a body your market accepts.
- A certificate of origin if you plan to claim preferential duty treatment. Ask your customs broker which form applies.
- Laboratory or analysis reports, if your importer or retailer asks for them.
Import rules for food and drink differ by country, including registration, labelling, additives and permitted colourings. This is general orientation only. Confirm the requirements with the regulator or a licensed customs broker in your destination country before you commit to an order.
Samples before a full order
Taste and colour are the main reasons a Thai tea order goes wrong. Ask for samples of the exact format you plan to buy, prepare them the way your customers will, and compare them side by side. If you are choosing between suppliers, keep notes on appearance, aroma, taste and how the pack looks on arrival.
Shipping and payment basics
Dry tea products are usually shipped in cartons on pallets or loaded into a container together with other goods. Ready-to-drink products are heavier and need more careful pallet planning. Ask the supplier how cartons are marked and palletised, and agree the trade term in writing. Our primer on FOB vs CIF and payment terms explains the common options. Transit times and costs depend on the route and the carrier, so they are confirmed in the quotation, not assumed in advance.
How to start on THAIMOST
Browse the Thai tea category and the related tea pages to see which suppliers list the format you need. If you would rather have suppliers come to you, post a free request for quotation at the RFQ page with your format, pack type, target market and labelling needs. Suppliers reply with their own terms, and you compare them before deciding. THAIMOST is free to use during the launch period.