13 Must-know Rules Of Importing Cinnamon Sticks In Bulk In The US And EU

To enter difficult markets such as Europe and the US, cinnamon sticks in bulk exporters and importers must satisfy strict regulators and requirements. This article will give information about types of cinnamon, price and special requirements of importing cinnamon to the US and Europe markets.

Varieties of cinnamon sticks in bulk

Cinnamon sticks in bulk come in two varieties: Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon, which is readily mistaken if you don’t understand carefully. Cassia Cinnamon is a less expensive replacement for Ceylon Cinnamon.

ceylon cinnamon vs cassia cinnamon

Although they are related in some ways, Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon is from two separate species with considerable variances in appearance, physical and chemical properties.

Cassia cinnamon

Cassia cinnamon, sometimes known as single cinnamon, is extracted from the Cinnamomum cassia tree. It has a spicier, more bitter flavor than Ceylon cinnamon, a deeper reddish-brown color, and is endemic to Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam.
It is one of the numerous species of cinnamon used mostly for its scent and as a spice. The young shoots are also used as a spice, particularly in India, and were originally utilized by the ancient Romans.
Tree to 10–15m tall with gray bark and stiff, long leaves that are 10–15 cm long and crimson when young. Cinnamaldehyde, which gives cinnamon its strong taste, accounts for approximately 95 percent of its essential oil.

Ceylon cinnamon

Ceylon cinnamon is also known as “true” cinnamon, and it comes from Sri Lanka. Ceylon cinnamon bark is slightly soft, while Ceylon cinnamon powder is pleasantly sweet and dark brown in color.
Ceylon cinnamon is more expensive and more difficult to obtain than other forms of cinnamon. Cinnamon differs from other spices in that it contains less coumarin, a chemical that can be toxic to the liver in big doses. Furthermore, the amount of cinnamon essential oil (cinnamaldehyde) is lower than that of other forms of cinnamon.

Distinguish between Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon

Cinnamon and its amazing use

Cinnamon is a widely used spice in both the East and the West. Cinnamon is derived from the bark of numerous Cinnamomum species. According to some experts, cinnamon initially emerged in Egypt. However, other researchers believe that this substance originated in China. This substance was extremely scarce in ancient Egypt. It is usually exclusively available to royalty. Because the amount of cinnamon extracted for usage is roughly 0.05mm thick on the tree’s bark. And it takes patience and expertise to weed out the key components. Cinnamon has become a prominent ingredient source thanks to advancements in extraction and cultivation technology and it can be used on a daily basis.

Cinnamon uses

Cinnamaldehyde, polyphenols, and other compounds found in cinnamon and cinnamon extracts have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Or assist in lowering blood cholesterol levels, hence minimizing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, the polyphenols in cinnamon are particularly beneficial in the lose-weight process, specifically, abdominal fat, biceps, and calves. Cinnamon is also used in cooking. Well-known as a spice, cinnamon is one of the important and indispensable ingredients for our housewives to make a fragrant or explosive taste in their dishes.

During the Middle Ages, cinnamon was used to produce red wine. The pharmaceutical business also makes use of it. Cinnamon is commonly used to flavor tea in India. The fragrant essential oil found in the plant gives cinnamon its taste.

Which countries produce cinnamon sticks in bulk the most?

Cinnamon trees live in tropical South Asia, where the climate is warm with high humidity. Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, and China are the four countries with the biggest cinnamon in bulk supply in the world.

Sri Lanka

About 80% of Ceylon cinnamon sticks in bulk volume in the world come from Sri Lanka. Due to its hard cultivation and high quality, Ceylon cinnamon sticks are frequently more valuable than Cassia cinnamon. Because of the delicate and flowery flavor of Ceylon cinnamon, customers from Mexico, the United States, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador commonly purchase cinnamon sticks in bulk from Sri Lanka.

Vietnam

Saigon cinnamon, one of three types of Cassia cinnamon, is produced in large quantities in Vietnam.

Cinnamon production in Vietnam

Customers all around the world prefer Saigon cinnamon because it is claimed to have the richest flavor and maximum essential oil content. Vietnam supplies various kinds of cinnamon such as cinnamon cigarette, tube cinnamon, split cinnamon or broken cinnamon. Yen Bai, Tra Mi, Que Phong, and Quang Ninh are all spots locating the good cinnamon factories that produce cinnamon sticks in bulk in Vietnam. India, the United States, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and South Korea are some common markets of Vietnam cinnamon.

Indonesia

Indonesia is famous for cultivating Korintje cinnamon sticks in bulk, which is both cheap to farm and import. Korintje has a smoother surface and is less bitter than Saigon and Cassia cinnamon. It is also the second-highest rich in essential oil after Saigon cinnamon. Cinnamon sticks in bulk in Indonesia are mainly produced in the Kerinci area on the island of Sumatra, which is noted for its incredible quality due to a variety of reasons including its high oil content. Indonesia has mostly exported cinnamon sticks in bulk to countries such as the United States, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Brazil, and others.

China

China is a major producer of Cassia cinnamon sticks in bulk. The flavor of Cassia cinnamon is spicy and somewhat bitter. Chinese cinnamon, on the other hand, is not prized for its flavour, oil content or quality. Because of its strong and bitter aroma, it is not widely used in many nations and is mostly used in Chinese medical products. Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia are China’s main customers for cinnamon sticks in bulk.

Here is the cinnamon exported value of the above countries in 2021:

Cinnamon export value by country in 2021

China is currently the biggest cinnamon exporter in the world, followed by Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Indonesia

5 factors to consider when buying Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon

When purchasing or importing Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon, it is critical to evaluate crucial criteria such as quality, intended usage, price, import sources, etc. The following provisions will help you with the most comprehensive view of 5 factors to consider when choosing Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon.

Price

The price of Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon is determined by the cinnamon roll, essential oil content, product size, color, and product appearance. The price of Cassia cinnamon fluctuates in the range of $2.4 – $5.9 per kg depending on each type. In a comparison of Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon, because of its taste as well as safety properties, Ceylon Cinnamon is more expensive than Cassia Cinnamon, costing more than ten times as much. However, the Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon price must also depend on the supplier’s prestige and quality standard. In general, pricing is determined by quality. Let’s take a closer look at the aspects that influence Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon quality and pricing below.

Cinnamon	Price (per kg)
Stick cinnamon	$5.x
Cigarette cinnamon	$x.x
Split cinnamon	$3.x
Broken cinnamon	$2.x

Appearance and chemical composition.

Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon is currently available in a variety of forms, depending on the harvesting procedure. As mentioned, the price of Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon will vary depending on its look because the chemical content and the quality of cinnamon will range across types. Thus the suppliers can meet the varying demands of consumers.

Stick cinnamon
Cinnamon stick – A must-have spice in your home. The product is curled and tiny, with a diameter of 1.5-2cm and a length of 15-20cm, similar to a chopstick. The price of the stick is determined by the humidity level, essential oil concentration, and stick roll. it. Cinnamon is gathered in the spring, between February and March, and in the fall, between August and September (solar calendar). This type is often more expensive than the common ground because of its high roll (>80%)
Cigarette cinnamon
The product is 8-10 cm long, with little rolls that resemble cigarettes. This type’s pricing is also determined by the moisture content, essential oil content, and product roll. This is also a good type of Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon and has a high price.
Split cinnamon
Is a Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon product that comes in cartons with the shell intact, split after harvesting and drying. The essential oil in split cinnamon is modest, ranging from 1.5% – to 2%. Therefore, the price of this type will also be low compared to the common ground, but often higher than broken cinnamon.
Broken cinnamon
This is the cheapest type among other types of Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon. Broken cinnamon is a product that is peeled off branches of Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon, the bark is fragmented and not formed, and the essential oil ratio is low, around 1%. The oil content of cinnamon that is broken from the stem bark is higher; if the cinnamon is thick, the oil content is higher by roughly 2% to 4%.
Tube cinnamon
It is made from the Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon tree’s bark, which is 40-45cm long, dried, and rolled into a tube. Tubes are divided into goods with variable pricing based on the thickness of the cinnamon bark, the concentration of essential oils in the cinnamon bark, the moisture level, and other factors. Because the tube shape is intact, the size and essential oil of the cinnamon tubes are long and high, the price will be more expensive than split cinnamon and broken cinnamon.
Cinnamon oil
Cinnamon oil is refined from Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon leaves, cinnamon bark, cinnamon roots, and small cinnamon branches. The product is in liquid type, characteristic aroma of cinnamon, and yellow cockroach wings. The purity is from 80-95% cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamon powder
Cinnamon bark from Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon tree is crushed, and the outer covering of cinnamon bark must be scraped off. We’ve probably sprinkled cinnamon on foods like toast, rolls, and desserts.

Criteria	Tube cinnamon	Stick cinnamon	Cigarette cinnamon	Split cinnamon	Broken cinnamon	Cinnamon Powder
Standard moisture	12%	12%	12%	12%	12%	x
Essential oil content	2-5%	2-4%	2-4%	1.5-4%	1-5% and above 2%	x
Length	30-45cm	15-20cm	8-10cm	30-45cm	x	x
Bark thickness	1-5mm	2-3mm	1,5-2mm	<1.5mm	x	x
Skin (outer bark)	With or without bark	peeled bark	peeled bark	with bark	with bark	without bark

Taste

Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon has two completely opposed flavor characteristics: Cassia cinnamon with exploding powerful flavor, while the subtle elegance belongs to Ceylon one. The most popular type of cinnamon is Cassia cinnamon. Because it contains 95 percent cinnamaldehyde essential oil, it has a distinctive spicy taste and is stronger than Ceylon cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon is a high-quality and valuable spice but less common. Cinnamaldehyde rate contains 50-63% of these oils, explaining why Ceylon cinnamon has such a fragrant taste. Currently, many people prefer this flavor of Ceylon cinnamon to Cassia’s one, thus Ceylon cinnamon always costs a lot more than Cassia cinnamon.

Coumarine

Coumarin is a naturally occurring chemical found in a variety of plants. In excessive concentrations, it can be harmful. Coumarin damages the kidneys, liver, and lungs of rats. It has the potential to cause cancer. There have been a few cases in people with comparable outcomes. Coumarin’s Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) is 0.2 mg per pound (0.5 mg per kilogram) of body weight. It was lowered to 0.05 mg per pound (0.1 mg per kilogram). When comparing Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon in coumarin rate, Cassia cinnamon has roughly 1% coumarin, while Ceylon cinnamon has just about 0.004%, which is up to 250 times less. This level is so low that it is sometimes undetectable. Health and safety factors also contribute to the price difference between Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon. At this point, Ceylon cinnamon seems to be a better choice for our health.

The main market

If you would like to find a supply of cinnamon in bulk, check out the enterprises from the top nations that produce Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon. This is a good way to sort out high-quality products of Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon. Because the demand for the product is different, the market for cinnamon consumption and import is also clearly differentiated. Ceylon cinnamon is original from Sri Lanka and is used in most parts of Europe, where consumers are very concerned about the flavor and safety of the products.

While the Cassia one is sourced from China and its biggest exporters are Indonesia, Vietnam, and China. They supply mainly to the Middle East and Indian markets which are very strict markets on price.

Which one is the “true” cinnamon for you?

With different demands and perceptions, it is hard to say certainly which sort of cinnamon between Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon is better and more dominating, as each will have its own set of strengths and limitations, and will optimize its uses if we know how to utilize it correctly.
Cassia cinnamon is an excellent choice if you want the intense spicy flavor of wood and the explosive taste sensation. However, because Cassia cinnamon includes a significant quantity of Coumarin, it is critical to take caution when taking Cassia cinnamon. You can consume 1-1.5 g of cinnamon powder per day without experiencing any negative effects or allergies. Cinnamon dosage may fluctuate depending on the patient. The dose is determined by your age, medical condition, and a number of other factors. Consult your doctor and pharmacist to determine the appropriate dose. So don’t be too worried!

The points that make Ceylon cinnamon so popular are its subtlety, mildness, sweetness, and capacity to produce intricate layers of taste in great sweets. Ceylon Cinnamon has the lowest coumarin concentration of any cinnamon. Because Ceylon cinnamon is highly valued for its taste and its safety property, thus it is expensive and not widely available in the market. However, because the price of Ceylon cinnamon is frequently significantly greater than that of Cassia cinnamon, it is vital to consider the price difference before purchasing. Because Cassia is clearly less expensive than Ceylon, purchasing it can save you a significant amount of money.

Tips to find reliable cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers

Want to learn more about finding dependable cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers? Check out the solutions provided below!

Validity of cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers

Long-term collaboration requires two parties to have a high level of mutual trust. There are a few elements to consider while determining if they are scam cinnamon exporters or not:

Check that the cinnamon sticks in bulk supplier have a valid business license, a real address, and enough contact information.
Determine whether cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers can guarantee commodity supply and have a good partnership with their partners in the past.
Check the current contracts to ensure that the supplier’s business practices are legal

Customer service

To keep their good reputation, cinnamon sticks in bulk manufacturers must provide good international customer services. A good or bad experience can significantly influence the customer’s perception of the supplier.

Cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers should be willing to supply cinnamon samples for their partners so that their partners can evaluate the quality of cinnamon.
Credible cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers will legally prepare a formal contract for buyers that specifies the product quality, documentation, mode of delivery, and mode of payment.
Cinnamon sticks in bulk exporters must accept responsibility as well. If a poor-quality cinnamon product is discovered after shipment, professional cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers will fix the situation in accordance with the agreements and return policies.

Payment

Price consistency: There should be no discrepancy between the price agreed upon in the negotiation and the price on the commercial invoice. If the price changes, cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers must notify buyers in advance and change the contract with the agreement of both parties.

Payment modes

Payment transparency: Commercial invoices from cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers should be given on time and should be simple for customers to read and understand.

Time of delivery

Another factor to consider when determining the capacity of cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers is their delivery time. Cinnamon sticks in bulk providers frequently take 10 to 15 days to have the commodities prepared. Factors such as labor shortages, raw material shortages, transportation breakdowns, human errors, and natural disasters can all cause the delay of the shipment. Be cautious if the cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers can prepare a large quantity of goods (about several containers) in a short period of time. It could be an indication of fraudulent cinnamon sticks in bulk suppliers.

Special requirements for importing cinnamon sticks in bulk to the US and Europe markets

USA

1/ Cinnamon imports are subject to be inspected by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which determines their admissibility. You can contact FDA via email or phone number 1-888-463-6332 to get more detailed instructions about importing cinnamon

2/Prior Notice is required for all commercial imports of cinnamon, and foreign suppliers of cinnamon products must enroll with the FDA before their goods can be accepted. There are two ways of submitting Prior Notice:

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP, previously the United States Customs Service) will allow Prior Notice to be sent to FDA using the current CBP-FDA interface.
Individuals or businesses that do not want to file via CBP might use the Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI). For PNSI applications, buyers have to include Prior Notice for delivery via international mail

3/ Duty is levied on the purchase price of the products, excluding freight and insurance expenses. Countries having FTA with the US that provides duty-free entry of cinnamon products do not need to pay duty. Countries with normal commercial relations with the US also have no need to pay duty for cinnamon in bulk products. On the other hand, countries that do not belong to 2 above categories have no need to pay duty for Neither crushed nor ground cinnamon (HS code: 090611 and 090619) but pay 11¢/kg for Crushed nor ground cinnamon (HS code: 090620)

4/ Phytosanitary certificate: To import agricultural products, the importer must apply for an import permit from APHIS and aquire for a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country to verify that the products have been inspected for quality before being exported.

Europe

5/ Phytosanitary certificate: Not required for cinnamon sticks in bulk products imported to European markets

6/ Quality: The legal European requirements for quality of Neither crushed nor ground cinnamon (HS code: 090611 and 090619) are:

Ash: max 7%
Acid Insoluble Ash: max 2%
Moisture: max 14%
Volatile oil: min 0.7-0.1%

The volatile oil content is the most important factor in determining the quality of cinnamon. Depending on the type of cinnamon, there are different quality standards. Take Cassia cinnamon from Indonesia as examples: KA: 2.5% – 3.0%, KB: 2.0 – 2.5%, KC: below 2.0%

7/ Labelling: Cinnamon sticks in bulk products have to include the below information on the package:

Product name
Manufacturer name and address
Batch number
Date of manufacture
Producing country
Harvest time (month-year)
Net weight
Other information that may be required

8/ Packaging: Whole cinnamon sticks in bulk must be packed in jute, cloth bonded with polyethene or polypropylene, or high-density polyethene bags that are clean and dry. Cinnamon powder can be packaged in clean and dry containers made of glass, tin, or aluminium, or in pouches composed of laminated, metallized, multilayered food-grade plastic. Insect infestation, fungus contamination, unpleasant odors and items that may alter the flavor of cinnamon must all be avoided in the containers.

Cinnamon package

9/ Food safety: All of the cinnamon sticks in bulk products imported to Europe must comply with the General Food Law and HACCP food safety management principles. You should check these regulations carefully before importing cinnamon sticks in bulk to Europe

10/ Mycotoxins: Because styrene is not harmful at regular quantities of daily intake, there is no maximum limit for styrene in cinnamon sticks in bulk. Cinnamon naturally contains styrene (0.1 mg/kg). When cinnamon is exposed to extreme heat and high humidity during drying, storage, and transportation, the amount of styrene can rise dramatically (up to 40 mg/kg). However, when levels are above 20 mg/kg, a strange odor may spoil the flavor of cinnamon.

11/ Salmonella: The presence of salmonella is the reason for the majority of cinnamon sticks in bulk rejections by European customs authorities. In European legislation, there are no specific salmonella standards for spices and herbs. However, according to Article 11 of the General Food Law, food products in European markets must be safe. As a result, if salmonella is discovered in cinnamon sticks in bulk products, they will be banned from the market. To prevent salmonella and other types of microbiological contamination, steam sterilisation is the preferred method.

12/ Food additives: Spices must not include any artificial colors. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) fumigation is permitted in the production of Ceylon cinnamon sticks in bulk, with a maximum residue level of 150 mg/kg. However, SO2 fumigation is not applied to other types of cinnamon. Cinnamon sticks in bulk can also be purposely contaminated with things like low-grade bark for financial benefit. For these cases of food fraud, European Union and other European governments are applying stricter regulations and sanctions

13/ Irradiation: Cinnamon is allowed to be irradiated. Irradiation is a safe method of killing organisms that badly affect the flavor of cinnamon sticks in bulk. The maximum amount of absorbed radiation dose is restricted to 10 kGy. Non-irradiated items are often preferred by consumers, so this method is rarely used.

Top best Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon exporters in the world

Knowing how to choose the right type between Cassia vs Ceylon cinnamon and some notes when importing, the article also provides readers with reputable exporters of Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon.