Tea infuser

When sourcing tea infusers, material selection is the most critical factor for food safety. Food-grade 304 or 316 stainless steel is the industry standard due to its excellent corrosion resistance and lack of metallic aftertaste. For silicone infusers, ensure they are BPA-free and FDA or LFGB certified to withstand high temperatures without leaching chemicals. If choosing glass, borosilicate glass is essential for its thermal shock resistance.

The mesh density or hole size determines the clarity of the tea; ultra-fine laser-cut holes are preferred to prevent small tea particles (fannings) from escaping into the cup. Additionally, the internal volume of the infuser must be large enough to allow tea leaves to fully expand, which is vital for flavor extraction. For B2B buyers, check the locking mechanism (twist-lock vs. silicone seal) to ensure it remains secure during use.

As a product in contact with food, compliance is non-negotiable. Buyers targeting the US market must ensure products meet FDA 21 CFR standards. For the European market, EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and LFGB (German Food and Feed Code) are required. Always request Migration Test Reports from the supplier to confirm that heavy metals (like lead or cadmium) do not migrate into the beverage.

To optimize costs, look for suppliers on Made-in-China.com that offer OEM/ODM services with low MOQs for custom logos (typically 500-1000 units). Unit prices can drop by 20-40% when moving from 500 to 5,000 units. Consider the packaging volume; stackable designs or flat-pack retail boxes can significantly reduce cross-border shipping costs per unit.

The primary risk is material substitution, where a supplier uses 201 stainless steel instead of 304 to save costs. To mitigate this, request a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) and specifically ask for a chemical spot test on the metal. Another risk is surface finishing defects; ensure the contract specifies that all edges must be smoothly polished and burr-free to prevent user injury.

Negotiate a 'Defective Rate' clause in your contract; a standard acceptable quality limit (AQL) is 1.5 for major defects and 4.0 for minor defects. Insist on a sample approval process where the mass production must match the 'Golden Sample' in weight, mesh fineness, and finish. Use Made-in-China.com's Secured Trading services to ensure payment is only released upon successful inspection.

Tea infusers are relatively lightweight but can be bulky if not nested. For small trial orders, Air Express (DHL/FedEx) is fast but expensive. For bulk orders, Sea Freight (LCL or FCL) is most economical. Ensure the supplier uses double-walled corrugated export cartons and individual polybags to prevent scratches and dents during the long transit across borders.