Two offers for the same named spice or seed can describe different products. Before comparing price, make sure the quality specification, packing and shipment basis match your requirement.
Start with the product and its intended use
State whether you need whole cumin, whole fennel, natural sesame or hulled sesame. Describe the application: distribution, spice blending, food processing or another use. A sample suitable for one application may not meet another buyer’s appearance or processing requirements.
Cumin: clarify what the grade means
Shiva Exim’s cumin portfolio includes commercial labels described as 99% Europe quality and 99% Singapore quality. When enquiring, specify what the purity figure measures and the agreed test method. These labels alone do not establish destination compliance, certification or the results of every required test.
Ask for the cleaning preference, foreign-matter limits, moisture requirement, crop year and sample reference. If buying cumin powder instead, agree the grinding requirement and packing as a separate product specification.
Fennel: appearance and uniformity count
Fennel enquiries should state seed-size preference, colour requirement, purity, moisture and cleaning preference. Discuss aroma or other quality requirements relevant to your application. Compare representative samples rather than relying only on a grade name.
The 99% Europe and 99% Singapore labels in Shiva Exim’s fennel portfolio are commercial quality descriptions. The destination’s requirements and the agreed lot tests still need to be checked individually.
Sesame: compare the same form
Specify natural or hulled sesame, the required colour and the intended application. Agree purity, moisture and permitted defects, with any buyer-required testing stated in the enquiry. Comparing different forms or colours on price alone can give a misleading result.
Make the quotation basis explicit
| Detail | Ask the supplier | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Origin and crop year | Declare both for the offered lot. | Separates new-crop material from earlier stocks. |
| Price and validity | Currency, unit, quotation date and expiry. | Avoids comparing a current offer with an outdated indication. |
| Shipment basis | Agreed trade term, named port or place, and included costs. | Shows whether freight, local charges or other expenses are included. |
| Packing | Net bag weight, bag construction, liner and any pallet requirement. | Packing changes handling and total cost. |
| Quantity and timing | Net quantity and proposed shipment period. | Clarifies the actual offer rather than a general availability statement. |
| Quality evidence | Sample reference, test parameters, methods and agreed acceptance limits. | Connects the price to a defined quality requirement. |
Send an enquiry that can become a useful quotation
A useful first message includes the product, grade, quantity, packing, destination port, preferred shipment period and required documents or test reports. Include your company contact details and tell us whether you need a sample.
Shiva Exim confirms availability, testing, documentation and commercial terms for each enquiry. Product listings and this guide are not fixed offers, guarantees of stock or claims that every certification is available.
Related product specifications
- Cumin seeds: product and specification guide
- Fennel seeds: product and specification guide
- Sesame seeds: product and specification guide
Prepared by Shiva Exim using its published product enquiry guides and company-confirmed commercial quality labels. This is a procurement checklist, not destination-specific regulatory advice or a live quotation.
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