Frequently Asked Questions

Our minimum order quantities vary by product type:

• Standard products: 1 full container load (FCL), which is approximately 20,000-50,000 pieces depending on the product size
• Sample orders: We offer sample packs containing 50-100 pieces of selected products for evaluation purposes
• Custom products: MOQ starts at 50,000 pieces for custom designs or branding

For distributors and large-volume customers, we offer flexible MOQ arrangements. Please contact our sales team for specific details based on your requirements.

Our standard production and shipping timeframes are as follows:

• Standard products: 3-7 days production time
• Custom products: 7-15 days production time after mold confirmation
• Sample orders: 2-3 days preparation time

Shipping times vary by destination:

• Asia-Pacific: 7-14 days
• Europe: 25-35 days
• North America: 14-30 days
• Middle East: 20-30 days
• Africa: 30-45 days
• South America: 35-45 days

For urgent orders, we offer expedited production and air freight options at additional cost. Please discuss your specific timeline requirements with our sales team.

Our standard payment terms are:

• New customers: 50% deposit upon order confirmation, 50% balance before shipment
• Established customers: 30% deposit upon order confirmation, 70% balance before shipment
• Long-term partners: Customized payment terms available after establishing a business relationship

We accept payments via:

• T/T (Telegraphic Transfer)
• L/C (Letter of Credit) for orders over $50,000
• Western Union for sample orders

All prices are quoted in USD or EUR. For other currencies, the exchange rate on the date of payment will apply.

Yes, we ship to over 90 countries worldwide. We have extensive experience with international logistics and customs procedures.

Our shipping options include:

• Sea freight: Most economical for bulk orders (FCL or LCL)
• Air freight: Available for urgent orders or smaller shipments
• Express courier: Used primarily for samples and small orders

We can ship under various Incoterms including:

• FOB (Free On Board)
• CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight)
• DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid)

Our logistics team will provide guidance on the most suitable shipping method based on your location, order size, and timeline requirements.

We provide comprehensive order tracking through multiple channels:

• Production updates: Regular email updates on production milestones
• Shipping tracking: Once shipped, you'll receive tracking information via email
• Customer portal: Business customers can access our online portal for real-time order status
• Dedicated account manager: Assigned to each order for personalized updates and assistance

For sea freight shipments, we provide:

• Bill of Lading number
• Vessel name and voyage number
• Estimated departure and arrival dates
• Links to shipping line tracking systems

For any tracking inquiries, please contact your account manager or email sales@bamboolutions.com with your order reference number.

Our bamboo fiber products are fully biodegradable and compostable, with the following breakdown timeframes:

• Industrial composting: 90 days (certified to EN 13432 standard)
• Home composting: 180 days (certified to OK Compost Home standard)
• Natural environment: 1-2 years (varies based on environmental conditions)

This is in stark contrast to conventional plastic products, which can take 500+ years to break down. Our products break down into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass without leaving harmful microplastics or toxic residues.

The biodegradation process is influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, microbial activity, and exposure to elements. For optimal composting results, we recommend industrial composting facilities where available.

Bamboo offers significant environmental advantages over other materials used in food packaging:

• Compared to plastic: Bamboo is renewable, biodegradable, and produces 35% more oxygen and absorbs 40% more carbon dioxide than equivalent tree masses. Unlike plastic, it doesn't release microplastics or persist in the environment for centuries.
• Compared to paper/cardboard: Bamboo grows 20-30 times faster than trees, requires no replanting after harvesting, uses less water, and doesn't need pesticides or fertilizers. Our bamboo fiber products are also more durable and water-resistant than paper alternatives.
• Compared to bagasse (sugarcane): While both are agricultural byproducts, bamboo has a higher yield per acre, requires less processing, and has superior structural properties allowing for thinner, stronger products.
• Compared to PLA (corn-based bioplastic): Bamboo requires less agricultural input, doesn't compete with food crops, and biodegrades more reliably in various conditions without requiring specialized industrial composting facilities.

Our lifecycle assessments show that bamboo fiber products have a 70-90% lower carbon footprint compared to equivalent plastic products when accounting for production, transportation, and end-of-life considerations.

For optimal environmental impact, we recommend the following disposal methods in order of preference:

1. Industrial composting: The fastest decomposition method. Many municipalities now offer commercial composting services.
2. Home composting: Our products are certified for home composting. Simply add them to your compost bin or pile.
3. Organic waste collection: In regions with organic waste collection, our products can typically be included (check local guidelines).
4. General waste: If composting options aren't available, our products will still biodegrade faster than conventional alternatives in landfill conditions, though the process is slower.

Important disposal notes:

• Remove any non-compostable stickers or labels before composting
• Food residue doesn't need to be removed before composting
• Cut or break larger items into smaller pieces to speed up the composting process
• Our products should NOT be placed in recycling bins for plastic, paper, or glass

Sustainability is at the core of our entire operation, from raw material sourcing to manufacturing:

• Renewable energy: Our production facilities utilize 60% solar energy, with plans to reach 80% by 2026.
• Water conservation: Closed-loop water recycling system that reuses 90% of process water. Our bamboo processing uses 35% less water than conventional pulping.
• Zero waste manufacturing: All bamboo byproducts are utilized – fiber for products, leaves for compost, and residual biomass for energy generation.
• Chemical reduction: Our proprietary processing technology uses 70% fewer chemicals than traditional pulping methods. All chemicals used are non-toxic and food-safe.
• Carbon offset program: We maintain 2,000 hectares of bamboo forest that sequesters more carbon than our manufacturing emits, making us carbon-negative.
• Local workforce: 85% of our employees come from communities within 30km of our facilities, reducing commuting emissions and supporting local economies.
• Sustainable packaging: All shipping materials are made from recycled and biodegradable materials, with plastic-free packaging throughout our supply chain.

We are ISO 14001 certified for environmental management and publish an annual sustainability report detailing our environmental impact and ongoing improvement initiatives.

We offer a wide range of customization options to meet your specific brand and functional requirements:

• Branding options:
  • Embossed logo or text (most eco-friendly option)
  • Debossed logo or text
  • Food-safe water-based ink printing (up to 4 colors)
  • Custom labels and sleeves
• Color customization:
  • Natural beige (standard)
  • White (natural whitening process)
  • Custom colors using food-safe, natural pigments
• Size and shape customization:
  • Custom dimensions based on your specifications
  • Custom shapes with new mold development
  • Custom compartment configurations
• Functional customization:
  • Custom lid designs (vented, sealed, etc.)
  • Special features (handles, pour spouts, etc.)
  • Enhanced properties (extra water resistance, etc.)
• Packaging customization:
  • Custom retail packaging
  • Custom case packs and quantities
  • Custom shipping cartons with your branding

Our design team works closely with you throughout the customization process, from initial concept to final production.

Our custom product development process follows these key steps:

1. Consultation: Initial discussion to understand your requirements, including product specifications, intended use, volumes, and timeline.
2. Concept Design: Our design team creates concept drawings or 3D renderings based on your specifications.
3. Feedback and Refinement: We collaborate with you to refine the design until it meets your exact requirements.
4. Prototype Development: We create physical prototypes for your evaluation and testing.
5. Testing and Validation: Prototypes undergo rigorous testing for functionality, durability, and compliance with relevant standards.
6. Final Approval: You review and approve the final prototype before production.
7. Tooling and Setup: We create production molds and set up the manufacturing process.
8. Sample Production: A small production run to verify quality and consistency.
9. Mass Production: Full-scale production of your custom order.
10. Quality Control: Rigorous inspection throughout production to ensure consistent quality.
11. Delivery: Shipping and logistics coordination for timely delivery.

The typical timeline for custom product development is:

• Design and prototype phase: 2-4 weeks
• Tooling and setup: 4-6 weeks
• Production: 3-4 weeks

Throughout the process, you'll have a dedicated project manager as your single point of contact.

The costs for custom products include several components:

• Design fees: Basic design consultation is complimentary. Complex design work may incur a design fee, which is typically credited back on production orders.
• Tooling costs: One-time fees for creating custom molds:
  • Simple modifications to existing products: $1,000-$3,000
  • New custom shapes/sizes: $3,000-$8,000
  • Complex multi-part products: $8,000-$15,000
• Sampling costs:
  • 3D printed prototypes: $200-$500
  • Functional prototypes: $500-$1,500
  • Pre-production samples: $1,000-$2,000
• Unit production costs: Depend on volume, complexity, and specifications. Custom products typically cost 10-30% more than standard products.
• Minimum order requirements: Custom products generally require higher MOQs (typically 50,000 pieces) to offset tooling and setup costs.

Cost-saving tips:

• Consider modifying existing products rather than creating entirely new designs
• Order larger quantities to reduce per-unit costs
• Choose embossing rather than printed branding for better environmental impact and lower costs
• Commit to repeat orders to amortize tooling costs over multiple production runs

We provide detailed, transparent quotes that break down all costs involved in your custom project.

Yes, we can match specific dimensions and replicate existing products with high precision:

• Dimensional accuracy: Our manufacturing process can achieve tolerances of ±0.5mm, allowing us to match your specific dimensional requirements precisely.
• Reverse engineering: We can replicate existing plastic or paper products in our eco-friendly bamboo fiber material. Simply provide samples or detailed specifications of the products you wish to replicate.
• Material thickness: We can produce products with wall thicknesses ranging from 0.8mm to 5mm, depending on the application requirements.
• Compatibility: We can ensure our products are compatible with existing systems, such as:
  • Matching lids to existing containers
  • Fitting specific packaging equipment
  • Nesting with existing products
  • Meeting specific stacking requirements

For the most accurate replication, we recommend sending physical samples of the products you want to match. Our engineering team will analyze them and provide feedback on feasibility, any necessary modifications, and potential improvements.

Note that while we can closely match the dimensions and functionality of plastic products, the natural properties of bamboo fiber may require slight design adaptations to ensure optimal performance and durability.

Yes, we offer comprehensive white-label and private-label programs for distributors, retailers, and brands:

• White-label program:
  • Our standard products with your branding
  • Lower MOQs (starting at 20,000 pieces per SKU)
  • Faster turnaround times (4-6 weeks)
  • Custom packaging with your brand
  • Ideal for distributors and retailers entering the eco-friendly packaging market
• Private-label program:
  • Custom-designed products exclusive to your brand
  • Higher MOQs (starting at 50,000 pieces per SKU)
  • Full customization of shapes, sizes, and features
  • Exclusive territory or market protection options
  • Ideal for established brands wanting distinctive sustainable packaging
• Brand support services:
  • Marketing materials and product photography
  • Certification documentation for your markets
  • Sustainability metrics for your ESG reporting
  • Drop-shipping services to your customers
  • Co-branded educational materials

We also offer a distributor program with competitive pricing, marketing support, and exclusive territories for qualified partners interested in representing our brand in specific markets.

To discuss our white-label or private-label programs, please contact our business development team at sales@bamboolutions.com.