Ordering, Materials & Certifications

Every shipment leaves with a complete export document pack so your broker can clear it without chasing us: Commercial invoice and packing list Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air), depending on the mode Certificate of origin Material and food-contact test reports — FDA, LFGB or SGS on request Carton marking and labelling to your instruction, matching the document set Extras on request Third-party inspection before dispatch, and any additional certification your market requires — tell us the destination and we will confirm what is available. Provide your market and labelling requirements when you order, so the marks and labels are produced correctly the first time.

Ceramic tableware is straightforward to import once the paperwork is in order. Three things must be in place on your side before the goods arrive: 1. An importer of record In most markets the buyer, or a licensed agent acting for the buyer, must be registered to import. In the EU this normally means a VAT and EORI number; in the United States, an importer of record with a tax ID. Goods cannot be cleared without it. 2. A customs broker Your broker files the entry and pays duty and import tax on your behalf. If you do not have one, tell us your destination market and we will point you to options. 3. Duty and import tax budget The rate depends on your country's tariff schedule and the classification of the product. Your broker will confirm the exact figure. We supply the document pack your broker needs — see the next question. We cannot act as your importer, and no supplier should offer to without a licensed structure in your country.

DDP is difficult on small ceramic orders, and it is worth understanding why. Ceramic is heavy, bulky and relatively low in value. Freight on such cargo is charged largely by weight and volume, so on a small shipment transport can approach or exceed the value of the goods. A forwarder quoting DDP also accepts responsibility for clearance and duty in your country, which is hard to cover on a small order. What works instead FOB or EXW with your own forwarder or broker — you control the cost and keep the margin. Consolidation — we can combine your cargo with other shipments heading to the same destination, which is what makes a delivered arrangement viable on heavy goods. Ask us directly for your destination: where a partner service exists and the shipment size supports it, we will quote it.

We do not run trial orders below the production minimum, and we do not sell small quantities of finished goods. What we do offer is a sample and specification stage that precedes a production order: a physical sample is produced and shipped so the body, weight, glaze, decoration and packing can be judged before a batch is committed. How the sample stage works Sampling is charged as sample work and is separate from production. Custom samples require the artwork to be finalised first. The approved sample and specification then become the frozen reference for the production order, which starts at 5,000 pieces per design. If you need to test the market first The practical route is to test with ceramics bought locally — from an importer, wholesaler or promotional distributor — and move to a production order with us once your volume supports it. Our minimum quantities page sets out the options in full.

At 100–200 pieces with your own logo, we are not able to help, and it is better to say so directly than to quote something neither side can deliver. The preparation for a decorated ceramic order is a fixed cost, so at that volume the unit price is dominated by setup rather than by the product. What we recommend instead Buy from a local importer, wholesaler or promotional-products distributor who already stocks ceramics. They purchase at production volume and absorb the minimum on your behalf. Apply your branding locally — pad printing, screen printing or heat transfer — on a plain item you source in your own market. This is how most small branded runs are produced in practice. Consolidate with other buyers if you need your own design: several buyers sharing one decoration can together reach a production quantity. Return when your volume reaches the minimum. We will keep your artwork notes and packing requirements on file, so the first production order starts from a known position. Full detail, including how the minimum is calculated, is on our minimum quantities page.

Our minimum for a customised production order is 5,000 pieces per design or per decoration. We do not run smaller custom orders, and the reason is arithmetic rather than policy. Why the minimum exists A decorated order is produced as a single batch: kiln load, print or decal preparation, packing configuration and quality control against a written standard. Almost all of that preparation is a fixed cost — the same for 200 pieces as for 5,000. Spread across a small quantity, the setup dominates the unit price, and the figure we would have to quote is not one a buyer should accept. What the minimum applies to The minimum applies per design or per decoration, not per shipment, so mixed orders are welcome: several designs can share one order and one container. If your requirement is below 5,000 pieces, please read our minimum quantities page — it explains the routes that do work at that volume, including buying through a local importer or applying your branding locally.

Since February 2026 the EU applies a 79% anti-dumping duty on daily-use ceramic tableware originating in China, and the UK TRA is reviewing its measures - both directly affect landed cost for those markets.We quote your destination-aware: for EU programs we can advise on origin documentation and route options that minimize the duty line, and for other markets the standard pricing applies.Tell us your target market and volumes and we will price with the correct tariff picture instead of a generic quote.

For Christmas and year-end gifting we recommend confirming samples by early spring and bulk production by summer - 6-9 months ahead is the safe window for decorated mugs.For Ramadan, the 2027 season is expected to begin around mid-February; with a 90-120 day B2B lead time, confirming samples now and finalizing packaging by September keeps you on schedule.Tell us your target in-store or delivery date and we will work backward to a production and shipping timeline.

For new bulk orders we work on 30/70 TT: 30% deposit to confirm production and 70% before shipment, against a preview of your shipping documents.For larger programs an irrevocable LC at sight can be arranged, and sample fees are payable up front and credited on the bulk order.We confirm the exact payment schedule in writing at quoting, with your bank details and our account confirmed before you pay.

Tiered pricing is quoted per SKU and triggers at set quantity steps - for example 1,000 / 3,000 / 5,000 pieces - because setup, mold amortization and decoration costs spread thinner at higher volumes.We quote the full tier ladder for each item in your RFQ, so you can see the price at your target quantity and at the next tier up.Combining several SKUs in one container can also improve your effective rate, and we will show you where the tipping point is.

Yes, we offer samples for all custom mug projects. A pre-production sample is made with the actual production process so you can verify shape, finish, and decoration before bulk commitment.Sample costs depend on the design complexity, and sample fees are credited back on bulk orders. Contact us for a sample quote with your design.

Yes. We produce teacup sets and cup-and-saucer in porcelain, bone china, and stoneware, in classic breakfast, after-dinner, and contemporary styles.Saucer fit and handle clearance are confirmed in samples, and custom decoration is available for your brand.

A factory owns the production line. A manufacturer manages production in-house or with partner plants and adds design, quality control, and export support.A supplier sources and resells from multiple factories. Storiware operates as a manufacturer, giving you factory-level control with commercial support.

Yes. Our food-contact ceramics comply with FDA requirements for the US market and LFGB standards for the European market, with test documentation available on request.We also address California Prop 65 lead and cadmium limits for US buyers.