At our Yulin desk, Kun and Chuangui squeeze, smell, chew, cut and weigh spices. These checks are fast and catch most problems early: damp lots, sulphur-treated fruit and bark, scorched or old stock, and mixed sizes. They cannot measure moisture to a decimal point, volatile oil, sulphur dioxide, pesticide residues, heavy metals or microbiology. That is what the laboratory report is for, and why every export lot is tested before shipment.
SPICE DOCUMENTS, EXPLAINED
What a Spice COA Actually Tells You
A specification says what you asked for. A COA reports results for identified material. A laboratory report gives more test detail. Keeping these roles separate makes the paperwork much easier to understand.
By Fu Yang Updated
PRACTICAL TIPS
Five records, five different jobs
| Document | It should identify | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial specification | Product, limits, packing and version | Defines the agreed order requirement. |
| COA | Product or lot reference, date, parameters and results | Summarises results connected to the identified material. |
| Laboratory report | Sample identity, methods, results and laboratory | Provides the underlying test record for requested parameters. |
| Sample record | Reference, date, product, source and photographs | Connects your approval to the material reviewed. |
| Inspection and packing record | Order or lot, checklist, date and photographs | Shows agreed checks and packing execution. |
What grading can and cannot tell you
QUICK CHECK
Before you rely on a document set
- Product and form match the enquiry
- Reference and date are visible
- Parameters and units are clear
- Test method or laboratory is identified where needed
- Document links to the proposed lot or sample
- Your destination documents are listed
A generic certificate can explain a format, but it does not prove the condition of an unrelated future lot.
BUYER QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Can a grader's checks replace a laboratory report?
No. Sensory checks screen out damp, sulphured, scorched or mixed lots before money is spent on testing. Measured limits need the laboratory.
Which result shows sulphur treatment?
Sulphur dioxide (SO₂), reported in mg/kg. A bright colour and a sharp smell only suggest it. Our whole star anise reference, for example, is 30 mg/kg maximum.
Why ask for volatile oil?
It measures the aroma you are paying for. Our whole star anise reference is at least 7.5 mL/100 g, the same figure China's grading uses for grade-1 Dahong.
Is a certificate from an earlier shipment enough?
No. It shows what an earlier lot was like, not the lot you are buying. The certificate should carry your lot's reference.