Wholesale botanical sourcing follows a simple flow: request a sample, place a pilot order at the minimum, then scale to production. Minimums often start around 10 kg, lead times run roughly 5 to 21 days depending on volume, and freight mode shifts from express to sea as orders grow. This guide walks through how it actually works.
Last updated: 2026.
The typical sourcing flow
Most successful first orders move through three stages: sample, pilot, production. The sample proves quality, the pilot proves the ingredient in your formula and market, and the production order delivers your best unit economics. Skipping the first two stages is where expensive mistakes happen.
- Sample. A small quantity, with its certificate of analysis, for bench and lab testing.
- Pilot. An order at or near the minimum, to run a real production batch and test the market.
- Production. A larger, repeatable order at a lower per-kg cost.
MOQ: why minimums exist and where they start
A minimum order quantity exists because sourcing, testing, documentation, and export each carry fixed costs that only make sense above a certain volume. For many botanicals, including ours, the minimum is 10 kg. That level is high enough to justify a properly documented export, and low enough to let a brand pilot without committing to pallet volumes.
Above the minimum, tier pricing rewards larger orders, so the per-kg cost falls as you scale from a pilot to production.
Lead time: what to expect
Lead time depends mostly on order size. As a working reference, our standard lead time is 5 to 10 business days for orders under 100 kg, and 14 to 21 days above that, because larger orders involve more preparation and freight planning. Build this window into your production schedule so a launch is not waiting on a shipment.
Freight: how the mode changes with volume
Freight mode is tied to volume, and it affects both speed and landed cost. For our shipments, DHL Express from Cotonou is the default for 10 to 550 kg, while sea freight takes over above 550 kg. Express is faster and suits smaller, higher-value orders; sea is more economical per kg for large volumes. Our freight mode by tier guide shows where the line falls.
Samples: how to request and what to test
A sample is your risk control, so use it fully. Request the sample with its certificate of analysis, then test against your real requirements: confirm identity and quality on the COA, assess the sensory profile, and run a small batch in your own process to confirm performance. A supplier confident in their material will provide a sample and a COA on request. See what we test on our certificate of analysis process page.
Putting it together: a realistic timeline
A brand sourcing a new botanical might request a sample and review the COA in week one, run bench tests and place a pilot order in weeks two to three, receive the pilot within the standard lead time, and move to a production order once the formula and market are validated. Planning to this rhythm keeps sourcing predictable instead of reactive.
Frequently asked questions
What is a typical MOQ for wholesale botanicals?
Minimums vary by ingredient and supplier, but around 10 kg is common, because that level justifies a properly documented export while still letting brands pilot. Confirm the specific MOQ in writing before planning a run.
How long does a wholesale botanical order take?
As a reference, expect 5 to 10 business days under 100 kg and 14 to 21 days above, plus transit. Larger orders take longer to prepare and ship, so build the window into your schedule.
How do I get a sample, and what should I test?
Request the sample with its COA, then check identity and quality on the document, assess the sensory profile, and trial it in your own formula before committing to volume.
Wholesale sourcing is predictable once you know the flow. Sample first, pilot at the minimum, scale to production, and plan around real lead times and freight. Start a request on our wholesale program page.