Frequently Asked Questions
Everything international spice importers, food manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and private label brands need to know about sourcing, certifications, and shipping from Zarvea Kerala.
01 What are your Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ) for export and bulk orders?
We tailor order quantities to suit diverse buyer tiers, from trial testing to containerized ocean freight:
Dispatched via DHL / FedEx air express for lab sensory and chemical analysis.
Palletized LCL shipments, ideal for regional distributors and boutique brands.
20ft FCL (~10-14 MT) and 40ft HC (~24-26 MT) for highest ocean freight economies.
02 Which Incoterms and global shipping routes do you support?
We routinely export under standard ICC Incoterms 2020 rules with full multimodal forwarding documentation:
FOB Cochin Port (India): Direct handover aboard ocean vessels at Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), Cochin.
CIF / CFR Destination Ports: Regular sailings to GCC ports (Jebel Ali, Dammam, Doha, Sohar), European ports (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Felixstowe, Genoa), and Asian maritime hubs (Singapore, Port Klang).
Air Cargo: Priority air cargo dispatches for high-value green cardamom and essential oils routed through Calicut International Airport (CCJ) and Cochin International Airport (COK).
03 Do you provide Certificates of Analysis (COA) and lab testing reports?
Yes. Every single commercial consignment is issued with verified export compliance documentation:
- Batch Certificate of Analysis (COA): Tests moisture limits, volatile essential oil percentage (ml/100g), total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and active markers (piperine in pepper, curcumin in turmeric).
- Phytosanitary Certificate: Officially issued by the Plant Quarantine Organization, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India.
- Certificate of Origin: Issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Spices Board of India verifying authentic Kerala origin.
- Third-Party Testing: Independent testing reports (SGS, Intertek, or Eurofins) can be arranged prior to vessel dispatch.
04 Can you provide Custom Packaging and Private Labeling (OEM)?
Yes. We offer turnkey co-packing and private label production for supermarkets, specialty food brands, and hospitality chains:
- Retail Pouches: Stand-up pouches (kraft paper, matte metallic, or clear window) with resealable zippers and nitrogen flushing to preserve volatile aromas.
- Glass & Tin Caddies: High-end luxury retail jars and tin containers with tamper-evident induction seals.
- Bulk & Food-Service: 5kg, 10kg, 25kg multi-ply paper sacks or poly-woven bags with your company's custom shipping marks, international barcodes, and multilingual labels (Arabic, English, French).
05 What payment terms are accepted for international contracts?
Our payment terms for bulk orders and export contracts are structured as follows:
EXW (Ex Works):
- 50% advance payment
- 30% payment before loading
- 20% balance payment before release of the final Bill of Lading (B/L)
Collection by Buyer:
- 50% advance payment
- 50% balance payment before loading of the goods
For corporate clients and long-term partners, Irrevocable Confirmed L/C at Sight and CAD terms are also available upon request.
06 How do you preserve volatile oil freshness and prevent moisture damage during sea transit?
Preserving natural volatile oils is central to our philosophy:
We pack bulk spices inside hermetic, gas-tight GrainPro / multi-layer aroma-barrier liners that arrest oxidation and prevent external ambient moisture penetration. For ocean container stuffing, we apply heavy-duty container desiccants and insulated kraft thermal blankets to buffer against condensation ("container rain") during equatorial transits.
07 How can I request physical product samples for laboratory evaluation?
You can request evaluation samples directly through our quotation form or via WhatsApp. Please state your company profile, the required spice grades (e.g., 8mm+ Cardamom, MG-1 Black Pepper, VCO), and your destination courier address. We prepare vacuum-sealed sample kits accompanied by batch specification sheets dispatched via DHL Express with tracking.
No matching questions found
Try searching with a broader keyword, or ask our export desk directly.
Inquire Directly with Our Trade Desk →Have a Specific Spice Specification or Tender Requirement?
Our trade desk in Kozhikode coordinates directly with estate managers in Idukki & Wayanad to arrange customized grind sizes, certified lab batches, and container stuffing.