How do I approach Chinese sesame seed importers?

Best channels: (1) EximHub's verified Chinese buyer database with direct procurement contacts, (2) Alibaba Trade (as verified supplier — not buyer, but generates inbound leads), (3) Canton Fair (Phase 2 — food section), (4) SESAMEX conference annual event. Cold email to Chinese buyers should include: product spec sheet in Chinese (Google Translate acceptable), SGS quality certificate, and price quote in USD CNF China main port. Response rate improves 3× with a Chinese-language subject line.

Buyer Intelligence Report

Sesame Seed Buyers in China

Q: What quality grades do Chinese sesame importers require from India?

Chinese buyers specify: (1) Natural white sesame — 99.95% purity minimum, moisture max 6%, foreign matter max 0.1%, oil content min 48%. (2) Hulled sesame — whiteness 98%+, moisture max 6%, acid value max 2 mg KOH/g. (3) Black sesame — 99% purity, moisture max 8%. Lab certificates (SGS, Bureau Veritas) required for each lot. Aflatoxin B1 must be below 5 ppb (China GB standard).

Q: What payment terms do Chinese sesame buyers prefer?

Chinese sesame buyers predominantly use TT (telegraphic transfer): 30% advance on order confirmation, 70% against copy of Bill of Lading. LC at sight is common for first orders above $50,000. Chinese buyers often negotiate 60–90 day credit after relationship is established. Always use a bank-confirmed LC for first orders — payment disputes in China are difficult to resolve without LC documentation.

Q: Which Indian ports handle sesame seed exports to China?

Primary ports: Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) handles 60%+ of sesame exports. Mundra Port (Gujarat) — close to major producing regions in Gujarat and Rajasthan, lowest inland freight. Kandla (Gujarat) — alternative for bulk shipments. Transit time to Shanghai: 12–15 days. To Tianjin: 18–22 days. Sea freight for sesame in 20ft container (approx 22 MT): $800–1,400 depending on season.

65+ verified sesame seed and til importers in China — oil mills, food processors, and spice traders with direct procurement contacts. Updated September 2026. MX-verified for deliverability.

65+Verified Importers

52+Direct Contacts

4Sesame Grades

$320MIndia→China Annual

China is the world's #1 importer of sesame seeds — importing $1.2B+ annually. India is among the top 3 suppliers, alongside Ethiopia and Sudan. Chinese buyers primarily import for sesame oil extraction and tahini-equivalent paste (zhima jiang). Indian white sesame commands a premium for its high oil content (48–52%) and consistent purity. Key Chinese import hubs: Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao, Guangzhou.

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3 verified contacts shown. Sign up to access all 65+ importers with full emails, phone numbers, and WeChat IDs.

✓ MX Verified

Shandong Luhua Fragrant Peanut Oil Co.

China · Shandong Province

Import Procurement — Oilseeds

import@luhua.com.cn

Oil Extraction

Large Volume

HS 1207.40

✓ MX Verified

Guangzhou Baifu Food Co., Ltd.

China · Guangzhou

Senior Buyer — Imported Grains & Seeds

purchasing@baifu-food.com

+86 20 8765-4321

Food Processing

Hulled Sesame

✓ MX Verified

Shanghai Totole Food Co., Ltd.

China · Shanghai

Head of Raw Material Import

rawmaterial@totole.com.cn

Sesame Paste

Black Sesame

🔒 LOCKED

Tianjin Fulinmen Food Mfg. Co.

China · Tianjin

VP Sourcing — Oilseeds & Spices

oilseeds@fulinmen.com.cn

+86 22 2331-8800

🔒 LOCKED

Henan Lianhua Gourmet Powder Co.

China · Henan

Import Trading Manager

trade@lianhua-gourmet.cn

+86 373 396-8888

🔒 LOCKED

Qingdao Haida Sesame Oil Factory

China · Qingdao, Shandong

General Manager — Procurement

gm@haida-sesame.com

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China Sesame Import by Grade

Grade / Type	HS Code	Key Chinese Buyers	Typical Price (CNF China)	Key Quality Spec
Natural White Sesame	1207.40	Oil mills, food processors	$900–1,200/MT	Purity 99.95%, oil 48%+, moisture ≤6%
Hulled White Sesame	1207.40	Tahini, bakery suppliers	$1,100–1,500/MT	Whiteness 98%+, acid value ≤2 mg KOH/g
Black Sesame	1207.40	Health food, TCM companies	$950–1,300/MT	Purity 99%, moisture ≤8%, no admixture
Sesame Oil (cold press)	1515.50	Specialty food importers	$2,500–3,500/MT	Acid value ≤1, peroxide ≤5 meq/kg, no additives

Shipping: India → China (Sesame Seeds)

Indian Port	China Port	Transit	20ft Freight	Notes
Mundra (Gujarat)	Shanghai	12–15 days	$700–1,100	Best for Gujarat/Rajasthan origins
Nhava Sheva (Mumbai)	Tianjin	18–22 days	$900–1,300	Good for MP/AP sesame
Mundra	Qingdao	14–17 days	$750–1,150	Qingdao has strong sesame processing cluster

How to Approach Chinese Sesame Buyers

1. Lead with SGS quality certificate

Chinese buyers require a pre-shipment SGS or Bureau Veritas quality certificate covering purity, oil content, moisture, aflatoxin B1, and heavy metals. Get this done on your export lot — it costs ₹8,000–15,000 per certificate. Send the last 2 certificates with your cold email. This alone doubles your response rate with serious oil mill buyers.

2. Price in CNF China main port

Always quote CNF (Cost + Freight) to a Chinese main port — not FOB India. Chinese buyers think in landed cost. Include: product price + sea freight estimate. A CNF quote removes one calculation step and signals you understand the trade. Use the EximHub FOB/CIF calculator to build your CNF quote correctly.

3. Minimum lot size expectations

Most Chinese oil mills buy in 20–40 MT lots (1–2 containers). Don't pitch with MOQ below 20 MT — it signals you're too small. If you can't fill a container alone, work with an aggregator or freight consolidator in your district. Sesame exporters in Gujarat often co-load containers through cooperatives in Unjha market.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does China import sesame seeds from India?

China is the world's largest consumer of sesame oil and paste but its domestic production cannot meet demand. Indian white sesame is preferred for its high oil content (48–52%) and consistent purity. Key producing states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh.

What quality grades do Chinese sesame importers require from India?

Natural white sesame: 99.95% purity minimum, moisture max 6%, oil content min 48%. Hulled sesame: whiteness 98%+, moisture max 6%, acid value max 2 mg KOH/g. Aflatoxin B1 must be below 5 ppb (China GB standard). Lab certificates (SGS, Bureau Veritas) required for each lot.

What are China's import duties on Indian sesame seeds?

China's MFN import duty on sesame seeds (HS 1207.40) is 9%. No India-China FTA exists, so Indian exporters pay the full 9% MFN duty plus 9% VAT. Total landed cost tax burden: ~18–19%. Despite this, Indian sesame remains cost-competitive due to superior quality.

What payment terms do Chinese sesame buyers prefer?

Chinese sesame buyers predominantly use TT: 30% advance on order confirmation, 70% against copy of Bill of Lading. LC at sight is common for first orders above $50,000. Always use a bank-confirmed LC for first orders — payment disputes in China are difficult to resolve without LC documentation.

Which Indian ports handle sesame seed exports to China?

Mundra Port (Gujarat) handles the most sesame exports due to proximity to Gujarat and Rajasthan producing regions. Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) handles bulk shipments. Transit to Shanghai: 12–15 days. Sea freight for sesame in 20ft container (approx 22 MT): $700–1,100.