What do the buyer guides cover?
The guides explain what importers ask about before they buy from Sri Lanka: Ceylon cinnamon and cassia, the Incoterms for perishable produce, how dehydrated and freeze dried fruit compare, and the steps to import spices and fresh produce. Each cites its sources and links to the products it covers.
All guides
Buyer guides
Every guide published so far, newest topics included as they are written.
Ceylon cinnamon guide
What true Ceylon cinnamon is, how it differs from cassia, its grades, coumarin levels, price and how to verify it. Request a quote. Ships from Colombo.
Ceylon vs cassia cinnamon
Ceylon vs cassia cinnamon: botanical differences, taste, coumarin, grades and price, explained for importers by a Sri Lankan exporter. Which to buy.
Importing from Sri Lanka
How to import from Sri Lanka: documents, phytosanitary certificates, Incoterms, freight and payment for spices and fresh produce. A step by step guide.
Incoterms for perishables
Incoterms for Sri Lanka exports: FOB vs CIF, CIF meaning and which terms suit perishable air freight and sea freight. Explained for importers.
Dehydrated vs freeze dried
Dehydrated vs freeze dried fruit and vegetables: process, texture, cost and shelf life, explained for processors and importers buying from Sri Lanka.
What should buyers check before importing from Sri Lanka?
- The product: its botanical name and origin and, for spices such as cinnamon, how to tell it from look-alikes (the Ceylon vs cassia guide).
- The quotation: the product, form, grade, quantity, packing and destination, plus freight, for each consignment.
- The terms: the Incoterm and the named place, and who books and insures the freight (the Incoterms guide).
- The documents: a phytosanitary certificate with every consignment, with the certificate of origin, packing list and commercial invoice your market requires.
- Your market's rules: the import controls and any extra checks where you are, such as those for the United Kingdom.
- A sample: check the product before your first order.
Buyer questions
Questions buyers ask
Help with an order and the first steps of importing from Sri Lanka.
Request samples01Where can I get help with an order?
Harvest Gate is an agricultural exporter based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Write to info@harvestgatelk.com, call or message on WhatsApp on +94 77 221 8800, or send the details through Request a Quote. The contact page has the office address in Colombo.
02How to import spices from Sri Lanka?
Send the spice, form, quantity and destination port, receive a quotation for the consignment, check samples, then confirm the order. The consignment ships with a phytosanitary certificate and the documents your market requires. The guide to importing from Sri Lanka sets out each step.
03Can I get samples before I order?
Yes. Request samples with your delivery address and the products you are interested in.
Request samples
Check the products before you order.
Tell us the products you are interested in and where to send the samples.