Wholesale Starter
Test cooperative direct ingredients at 5 to 10 kg, before you commit to volume contracts. Most suppliers refuse orders under 20 kg. We do not.
For indie brands and formulators ready to evaluate quality
Most wholesale chebe, ambunu, and shea suppliers set the minimum order quantity at 20 kg or higher. For an indie brand testing an ingredient for the first time, that means committing $500 plus to a quality risk you have not yet validated.
The Wholesale Starter tier exists for that exact reason. You order 5 kg or 10 kg of any ingredient in our line, at unit pricing matched to small batch logistics. Same source, same documentation, same DHL Express handling as our 100 kg accounts. You validate quality in your formulation lab, then graduate to the full Wholesale Program at the 20 kg plus tier with negotiated pricing.
Starter tier ingredients and pricing band
Indicative pricing below. Exact unit price depends on ingredient, current cooperative pricing, and your shipping destination. Submit the form for a signed quote in 24 business hours.
| Ingredient | 5 kg from | 10 kg from | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chebe powder | $22/kg | $19/kg | Guéra, Chad |
| Ambunu leaves | $24/kg | $21/kg | Guéra, Chad |
| Raw shea butter | $14/kg | $12/kg | Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso |
| Moringa leaf powder | $17/kg | $15/kg | Sahel region |
| Hibiscus calyx | $15/kg | $13/kg | Sahel region |
| Spirulina (Díhé) | $45/kg | $40/kg | Lake Chad, harvested by Kanembu women |
What is included in every starter order
- Lot certificate with harvest date, cooperative name, batch ID, and moisture content.
- Photo evidence at source, taken at the cooperative within 30 days of your order.
- Phytosanitary certificate for international shipments, required for customs clearance in EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia.
- Named cooperative lead contact, available for independent verification by your QC team.
- DHL Express tracking, 4 to 7 business days to most destinations from our Cotonou warehouse.
How the starter process works
- Submit the inquiry form below. We reply within 24 business hours with a signed quote, current lead times, and the lot certificates from the most recent batch in stock.
- Place the starter order. Wire transfer or Stripe accepted. No deposit on starter tier under 10 kg.
- Receive and validate. Your QC team evaluates against your incumbent supplier. Typical lead time 4 to 7 days via DHL Express.
- Graduate to the full program. Once your team approves the quality, the 20 kg plus tier on the Wholesale Program opens with negotiated multi shipment terms.
Why we accept starter orders when larger suppliers do not
Because we built Essential Care Plus to serve the indie brands and formulators who carry African ingredient traditions forward. The same brands Design Essentials and McBride Research Laboratories started as, before they reached the scale that justifies 100 kg containers. Setting a 20 kg floor effectively excludes those brands from cooperative direct sourcing and forces them through brokers. We refuse to be that filter.
Starter orders are priced to cover small batch logistics honestly, without subsidizing volume accounts. If you grow with us, the tier 2 pricing on Wholesale Program reflects that volume relationship.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a free sample before ordering?
No. The starter tier exists precisely to remove the need for a free sample loop. A 5 kg paid order at unit price gives your team enough material for a real formulation trial. Free samples in this industry filter for curiosity, not commercial intent.
Do I need a registered company to order on the starter tier?
You need a legitimate business name, a shipping address that customs can clear, and a tax ID if your country requires one. We do not require LLC paperwork or annual revenue thresholds. Most starter customers are early stage indie brands, formulators, or contract manufacturers running pilot batches.
How fast can you ship 5 kg of chebe?
From order confirmation to your dock, typically 4 to 7 business days for US, UK, EU. DHL Express handles customs prepayment. Track and trace from Cotonou to destination.
What if the quality does not meet my QC standard?
Send us your QC report. If the deviation is on our side (moisture above spec, foreign matter, contamination), we replace the batch at no cost. Starter tier customers carry the same quality guarantee as our volume accounts. We have not had a returned batch since 2022.
Can I order multiple ingredients in one starter shipment?
Yes, and we recommend it. A combined 10 kg shipment (for example, 5 kg chebe plus 5 kg ambunu) consolidates DHL Express costs and lets your team validate both ingredients in one evaluation cycle.
Request your starter quote
Tell us which ingredients matter for your current pipeline. We reply within 24 business hours with a signed quote and the latest lot certificates from stock.
Already ordering 20 kg or more per ingredient ? Skip the starter tier and go straight to the full Wholesale Program for negotiated multi shipment pricing.