Farm and supplier selection
We visit growing areas before we buy, look at cultivation and post-harvest practice, and build a shortlist of farmers we can go back to season after season.
Quality & export
Nothing ships until it matches what you ordered
Quality control is not a certificate on a wall — it is a sequence of checks, each with someone accountable for it. This is exactly how a consignment moves through our hands.
Quality control
Six checkpoints between the field and your port
01 02 Harvest timing
Picking is scheduled against your shipping window, not against whatever is standing in the field. Fruit is harvested at the maturity that will arrive in the condition you need.
03 Incoming inspection
Each lot is checked on arrival for size, colour, moisture, damage and foreign matter. Anything outside specification is separated before it enters the packing area.
04 Grading and sorting
Product is graded to the standard you ordered — Alba through M5 on cinnamon, count sizes on fruit, bulk density on pepper — and cross-checked by a second person.
05 Packing
Packed into food-grade materials to your carton or bag specification, labelled with lot identification so any consignment can be traced back to its source.
06 Pre-shipment verification
A final check against the order and the documents before the consignment is sealed, with photographs of the loaded shipment sent to you.
Standards
Meeting the standard your market sets
Requirements vary by destination, from food safety and maximum residue levels to import, labelling, and documentation requirements. We work to the applicable standards for each shipment and confirm the requirements upfront to help ensure a smooth clearance process at the destination.
Being straight about certification
Ceylon Island Harvest was established in 2026 and is building its certification portfolio as it grows. Ask us about the specific certification your market requires and we will tell you plainly what we hold today, what we can arrange through a certified partner facility, and what we cannot yet offer.
Paperwork
Export documentation we prepare
Documents are prepared alongside packing rather than after it, so nothing sits at the port waiting for a signature.
Commercial invoice & packing list
Itemised against the agreed specification, lot numbers included.
Phytosanitary certificate
Issued by Sri Lanka's National Plant Quarantine Service for plant products where the destination requires it.
Certificate of origin
Arranged through the relevant issuing authority, including preferential-origin forms where a trade agreement applies.
Bill of lading / air waybill
Released per the payment terms agreed in the contract.
Analysis & fumigation certificates
Where your market or your own QA process requires them, arranged with accredited laboratories.
Insurance certificate
Provided on CIF shipments, covering the terms stated in the contract.
Logistics
Out of Colombo, by air or by sea
Fresh fruit is shipped by air from Bandaranaike International Airport when speed is important to preserve freshness and condition. For spices and other dry goods, we arrange sea freight from the Port of Colombo, with FCL and LCL options available according to your shipment requirements.
We quote FOB, CFR, or CIF, depending on your preference, and work with established freight forwarders to coordinate each shipment. Tracking references and relevant document copies are shared once the consignment has been dispatched.
- Air freight
- Fresh fruit · Samples · Urgent orders
- Sea freight
- Spices · Dry goods · FCL & LCL
- Incoterms
- FOB · CFR · CIF
Common questions
What buyers usually ask first
What is your minimum order quantity?
Minimum order quantities depend on the product, packaging requirements, destination, and shipping method. We work with our customers to determine a suitable order volume for each shipment. Share your requirements with us, and our team will advise you on the most suitable option.
Which payment terms do you accept?
We generally work with secure international payment methods, including Irrevocable Letters of Credit at Sight (LC) and Telegraphic Transfer (TT) with an agreed advance payment. Payment terms for initial shipments are agreed on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the product, order volume, destination, and buyer requirements. We are happy to work with your procurement team to establish mutually suitable payment terms.
How long does a shipment take?
Air freight to most destinations is a matter of days once packed. Sea freight transit from Colombo is typically two to five weeks depending on the destination port and routing, plus the packing lead time quoted with your order.
Do you hold organic or food-safety certifications?
We are a young company and are building our certification portfolio as we grow. Please ask us directly about the specific certification your market requires — we will tell you plainly what we currently hold, what we can arrange through a certified partner facility, and what we cannot yet offer.
Can you supply under our own brand?
Yes. Private-label packing, custom carton printing and retail-ready packaging can all be quoted. Send us your artwork and packaging specification with your enquiry.
Still have a question?