Buyer's Guide
How to Choose the Right Dropper Bottle for Essential Oils
Sizes from 5 ml to 100 ml, amber vs cobalt vs clear, child-resistant closures and neck finishes.
Sep 13, 2026
How to Import Glass Packaging from China: A Buyer's Checklist
Importing glass bottles and jars from China can cut your packaging cost by 30–50%. It can also go badly wrong if you skip steps. This is the checklist we walk through with first-time buyers — every stage, every document, and the five mistakes that cost people the most money.
Why buyers source glass packaging from China
- Cost — a fully automatic production line plus lower labour cost means unit prices typically 30–50% below European or North American equivalents
- Capacity — a mid-size factory runs tens of millions of pieces a year, so large orders are not a problem
- Decoration in one place — frosting, spraying, screen printing, hot stamping and electroplating all happen under one roof
- Tooling — custom mould development is far cheaper and faster than in the West
The trade-offs are lead time and freight. Glass is heavy, so shipping matters — plan around it rather than being surprised by it.
The nine stages of an import order
| Stage | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Enquiry | You send size, quantity, closure, decoration and target price | 1–2 days |
| 2. Quotation | Factory quotes FOB price, MOQ, lead time, mould cost if custom | 1–2 days |
| 3. Samples | Stock samples shipped for evaluation | 3–7 days shipping |
| 4. Fit testing | You test your product and closure with the sample | 1–2 weeks |
| 5. Order & deposit | Contract signed, usually 30–50% deposit | — |
| 6. Production | Manufacturing plus decoration | 15–30 days |
| 7. Inspection | Your QC or a third party checks the goods | 1–3 days |
| 8. Balance & shipment | Balance paid, container booked | — |
| 9. Freight & customs | Sea or air, then clearance at your port | Sea 15–35 days |
Total realistic timeline: 45–75 days from first enquiry to goods in your warehouse. Anyone promising three weeks is either holding stock or being optimistic.
Documents you will need
- Commercial invoice — value, quantity, HS code
- Packing list — carton count, weights, dimensions
- Bill of lading (B/L) — the title document for sea freight
- Certificate of origin — required for preferential duty in many markets
- Test reports — FDA / EU food contact, or heavy-metal release testing if required
- Fumigation certificate — only if wooden pallets are used
Glass packaging usually carries HS code 7010 (bottles, jars and other containers of glass). Confirm with your customs broker — duty rates differ by country and by whether the goods are for food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical use.
Understanding your landed cost
The factory price is only part of what you pay. Build your margin on the full landed cost:
| Cost element | Notes |
|---|---|
| Unit price (FOB) | The factory price, loaded on board at the Chinese port |
| Mould fee | One-off, only for custom shapes (often refundable above a volume) |
| Sample & courier | Small but real on the first order |
| Ocean freight | Driven by volume — glass is heavy, so optimise cartons |
| Insurance | Usually 0.3% of invoice value |
| Import duty | Varies by destination and HS code |
| Local delivery | Port to your warehouse |
| Breakage allowance | Budget 1–3% even with good packing |
Five mistakes that cost the most
1. Skipping fit testing
Ordering without testing your actual closure and product in the actual bottle is the single most expensive shortcut. A neck mismatch means the whole run is unusable.
2. Ignoring freight when choosing glass weight
A heavier bottle feels premium but costs more to ship. On a full container, 20 g extra per bottle is real money. Decide where on that curve your brand should sit.
3. Paying for a custom mould too early
Stock moulds cost nothing and can usually be differentiated with colour, frosting and printing. Use them until your volume justifies tooling.
4. No written specification
"Amber, 30 ml, nice shape" is not a specification. Agree capacity, weight, height, diameter, neck finish and tolerances in writing, then approve a signed sample.
5. Skipping inspection
Pre-shipment inspection costs a fraction of a bad container. Check quantity, colour consistency, print quality, closure fit and packing.
Your pre-order checklist
- Written specification agreed and signed by both sides
- Approved sample retained as the reference standard
- Closure compatibility confirmed (bottle + cap + liner)
- MOQ and price tiers confirmed in writing
- Lead time stated as production days, not calendar guesses
- Packing method agreed (dividers, carton strength, palletising)
- Breakage responsibility defined in the contract
- Inspection arranged before balance payment
- Certificates requested (ISO, SGS, food-contact as needed)
- HS code confirmed with your broker
Importing from China for the first time?
Xuzhou Eagle Glass has shipped to North America, Europe, South America, Oceania and the Middle East since 2008. We handle specification, samples, production, inspection and export documentation — ISO 9001 and SGS certified.
Send us your specification for a quote →
Send us your specification for a quote →
