First Time Importing Bubble Tea Raw Materials? Here Are All the Documents You Must Prepare

Importing bubble tea ingredients from Taiwan can be exciting — tapioca pearls, milk tea powders, fruit syrups, or toppings like popping boba. However, many first-time buyers underestimate the documentation required to complete the export and customs clearance process.

Whether you are opening your first bubble tea store, planning to launch your own private label OEM bubble tea brand, or sourcing from a bubble tea supplier in Taiwan, proper paperwork is critical. Missing a single document may result in delays, additional inspection fees, or even shipment detention at customs.

This guide explains all required export documents, how they are used, and what information you must provide to your supplier.

✅ Why documentation matters when importing bubble tea ingredients

Food products are controlled commodities in most countries. Customs authorities need proof of:

• Product safety (food testing / COA)

• Country of origin

• Product value for tax calculation

• Traceability in case of food safety incidents

Having complete documents helps you avoid:

• Customs delays

• Unexpected storage charges

• Destruction or return of goods

✅ Required documents for importing bubble tea ingredients

1. Commercial Invoice (CI)

Keyword / Long-tail keyword: bubble tea ingredients commercial invoice template

Used for: customs duty calculation, import declaration
Issued by: supplier (exporter)

Must include:

2. Packing List (PL)

Keyword / Long-tail keyword: bubble tea ingredients packing list

Used for: verifying cargo content and logistics checks

Must include:

3. Certificate of Origin (CO)

Keyword / Long-tail keyword: certificate of origin bubble tea Taiwan

Used for: free trade agreement tariffs, verifying origin

Applicable if your country has a trade agreement with Taiwan (e.g., ASEAN countries).
The document is usually issued by Taiwan Chamber of Commerce or government-authorized institutions.

For some countries, the preferential CO format is: Form A or FTA-specific certificate.

4. Certificate of Analysis (COA) / Food Testing Report

Keyword / Long-tail keyword: COA tapioca pearls, bubble tea powder food certificate

Used for: food safety compliance
Issued by: third-party accredited laboratory (SGS, Intertek, etc.)

Testing includes:

• Microbiology (Total Plate Count, Yeast & Mold)

• Heavy metals

• Food additives / allergens

Some markets (EU / Middle East) may also require:
✅ MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
✅ Halal certificate (if selling to Muslim markets)

5. Product Specification Sheet (Spec Sheet / Technical Data Sheet)

Keyword / Long-tail keyword: bubble tea milk powder specification sheet

Provides:

• Ingredients list

• Shelf life

• Storage condition

• Country of manufacture

You need this for local food import registration.

6. Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB)

Keyword / Long-tail keyword: ocean freight bubble tea ingredients, air freight tapioca pearls

Issued by: the shipping line (sea freight) or airline (air freight)

This proves ownership of the shipment and is required to release goods at destination customs.

✅ Optional documents (depending on country)

✅ What your supplier will ask from you

To prepare the invoice + export documents, you need to provide:

• Company name / receiver name

• Importer tax ID / VAT number

• Delivery address and contact person

• Preferred shipping method (FOB / CIF / Air / Sea)

• Port of destination (example: Hamburg Port, Los Angeles Port)

✅ Recommended shipping methods

✅ Summary Checklist (downloadable)

📩 Contact Us — Get Required Documents with Your First Order

If you need:

• COA, MSDS, Halal certification

• Export documents for customs clearance

• OEM / private label tapioca pearls or milk tea powders

👉 We can prepare all export documents and support new importers step-by-step.