Colombia is one of the world’s leading exporters of fresh flowers, offering a wide variety of blooms, including carnations and spray carnations. With a robust flower industry and an ideal climate for flower cultivation, Colombia, and companies like us, The Carnation C° Aposentos Flowers, provide high-quality carnation flowers to global markets. This guide outlines the steps and considerations for importing fresh cut flowers from Colombia, ensuring a smooth and successful process.
Why import flowers from Colombia?
Colombia’s flower industry is renowned for its quality, sustainability practices, and year-round availability. Carnations and spray carnations, in particular, are top exports, valued for their vibrant colors, long vase life, versatility, and profitability. Pink carnations, red carnations, yellow carnations, and other varieties such as white carnations and purple carnations are highly sought after. Importing these fresh flowers from The Carnation C° Aposentos Flowers, a leading exporter of carnations and spray carnations, guarantees access to cutting-edge varieties grown with care and expertise.
Welcome to the world of Aposentos Flowers, where nature’s finest carnations and spray carnations bloom under the perfect conditions of the Colombian highlands. For years, we’ve been cultivating not just flowers, but relationships, trust, and excellence in every stem we export.
Steps to Import Flowers from Colombia
Find a Reputable Flower Grower and Exporter
Start by researching and connecting with trusted Colombian flower exporters.
Partners like Asocolflores (Colombian Association of Flower Exporters) or Cargo Agencies like DSV, Kuehne+Nagel, CEVA Logistics or Logiztik Alliance can help you identify reputable suppliers.
The Carnation C° Aposentos Flowers stands out for its commitment to quality and reliable service.
- Visit trade shows like Proflora or industry events to network with exporters.
Negotiate Terms & Conditions
Once you’ve identified your exporter, discuss the following:
- The majority of Colombian flower exporters use FOB/FCA Incoterms (If you require a different type of Incoterm, you might consider using the Komet Sales, BloomsPal, or Koronet platforms.)
- Review the Claims Policy for flower shipments. You can check ours here.
- Define flower type, varieties, and colors (e.g., Red Don Pedro carnation, Bicolor Yellow Edison spray carnations).
- Select your grade/length.
- Set up quantities and pricing. The prices for carnations and spray carnations will vary depending on the grade, season, and type of order (standing order, additional order, or holiday order).
- Choose your type of box and delivery timelines.
- Quality control standards. Partnering with exporters like The Carnation C° Aposentos Flowers ensures a consistent supply of freshly cut flowers, with excellent monitoring from the farms to post-harvest. The flowers undergo top-quality hydration and packaging in cold rooms, maintaining the cold chain from start to finish.
Understand the methodology of your exporter to place an order
Let’s quickly review the process with The Carnation C° Aposentos Flowers:
1. Request our availability or share your specific requirements. Orders can be permanent (weekly) or additional (occasional).
2. We confirm your order and send a proforma invoice for payment. If you use platforms like Komet Sales, Koronet, or BloomsPal, we can confirm the order through your platform and proceed with the next steps.
3. Once payment is received, we process your order to ensure timely shipping.
4. We reserve space with your cargo agency and dispatch your order.
5. Upon receiving the flowers, if there is any quality issue, we will issue a credit for your next shipment immediately. Please refer to our Claims Policy for more details.
Set Up Your Profile as an Importer with the Exporter
Aposentos Flowers requires you to complete certain documents to register you as an importer. The sales representative you contacted will ask you to fill out and share the following documents:
- SAGRILAFT: a document through which Colombia adheres to the recommendations set by the FATF (Financial Action Task Force), which leads global efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and the proliferation of weapons.
- Business registration certificate.
- Financial statements of previous year.
- Ultimate beneficiaries.
- Trade certifications (1 at least).
- Banking certification. IMPORTANT, the bank account name have to be the same of the Business registration to accomplish with the legitimacy of the funds at the time of making payments or transactions.
After accomplish with all these requirements you will be available to start to import carnations and spray carnations flowers from The Carnation C° Aposentos Flowers.
Check Import Regulations
Understanding your country’s import requirements for flowers is crucial. These may include:
- Permits for importing flowers from Colombia to your country, taking into consideration that each type of flower has different requirements depending on the country.
- Each shipment must have an Origin Certificate.
- Phytosanitary certificates confirm that the flowers are free of pests and diseases. For example, the ICA certificate is a document that each Colombian flower exporter must provide.
- Review certifications such as FLORVERDE, Rainforest Alliance, and GlobalG.A.P., which ensure good practices and quality in flower growing.
- Specific inspection requirements upon arrival.
Consult customs authorities such as the ICA or a customs broker to streamline the compliance process.
Arrange Air Freight or Sea Freight Shipping
Given the perishable nature of flowers, choosing the right shipping method is crucial for maintaining their quality and freshness. While air freight is often the preferred option, sea freight may be a better choice depending on the shipment’s timeline and cost considerations. According to measurements by freight agencies, maritime shipping is considered the least polluting option.
Air Freight
Benefits:
- Speed: Air freight offers the fastest shipping option, ensuring flowers reach their destination quickly, typically within 2-4 days.
- Reliability: Air freight is highly reliable, with scheduled flights and minimal delays.
Considerations:
- Cost: Air freight is significantly more expensive than sea freight, especially for large quantities.
- Limited Capacity: While air freight offers speed, the cargo space on planes is limited, which can restrict the volume of flowers that can be shipped at one time.
Sea Freight
Benefits:
- Cost-Effective: Sea freight is generally more economical, especially for larger volumes. This makes it a good option for businesses shipping bulk flowers that are less time-sensitive.
- Larger Capacity: Ships can carry larger quantities of flowers, making sea freight ideal for bulk shipments.
Considerations:
- Slower Transit Time: Sea freight typically takes much longer (several days or even weeks).
- Potential Quality Issues: Longer transit times and exposure to varying temperatures during shipping can reduce the quality of the flowers. However, the key commitment with cargo agencies is to ensure the integrity of the cool chain.
Manage Customs Clearance
Preparing the required documentation ensures smooth customs clearance:
- Provide commercial invoices.
- Obtain certificates of origin.
- Secure phytosanitary certificates.
Collaborate with a customs broker to avoid delays and ensure all paperwork complies with regulations.
Inspecting Flowers Upon Arrival
- Check for Visible Damage: Upon receiving the flowers, inspect each box carefully for any signs of damage, bruising, or wilting. Any visible damage could indicate poor handling.
- Verify Quality and Freshness: Open the boxes and check the condition of the flowers, including their stems, leaves, and blooms. Ensure they are fresh, with no signs of dehydration, discoloration, or pest damage.
- Temperature Check: Ensure that the flowers have been kept at the correct temperature during transit. The ideal storage temperature for carnations is around 3°C (37°F). If the flowers have been exposed to higher temperatures, they may suffer damage that reduces their shelf life.
- Check Packaging Integrity: Ensure that the packaging is intact and the flowers are securely packed to avoid crushing or damage during transport. The use of proper moisture retention materials, such as wet tissue paper or plastic wraps, is essential for maintaining freshness.
If you encounter any product issues with us, please review our Claims Policy and initiate the process within five days of delivery by contacting your account representative.
Storing Flowers for Optimal Freshness
- Immediate Refrigeration: As soon as the flowers arrive, transfer them to a refrigerated storage space. Keeping carnations and spray carnations in cold storage helps prolong their quality. Ensure that the refrigeration unit maintains a stable temperature around 3°C (37°F).
- Remove Damaged Flowers: Any damaged or subpar flowers should be removed from the batch to prevent them from affecting the quality of the others. This ensures that only the freshest flowers reach the final consumer.
- Proper Stem Care: Trim the stems of the flowers to ensure they can absorb water effectively. Cut the stems at an angle, removing any leaves that may be submerged in water to prevent bacteria buildup.
- Humidity Control: Maintain appropriate humidity levels in storage to prevent dehydration of the flowers. This is especially important during long transit times to ensure the flowers retain their fresh appearance.
- Monitor Storage Conditions: Regularly monitor the temperature and humidity levels in your storage facility to prevent any fluctuations that could affect the flowers. Consider using a hygrometer and thermometer to keep track of conditions.
Why choose The Carnation C° Aposentos Flowers?
As a trusted Colombian flower exporter, The Carnation C° Aposentos Flowers specializes in carnations and spray carnations, offering:
- Exceptional Quality: Flowers grown in ideal conditions with sustainable practices.
- Reliable Logistics: Partnerships with leading air freight and sea freight companies for efficient transport.
- Customer-Centric Approach: Dedicated support to navigate the import process.
Importing flowers from Colombia can be a rewarding venture when done correctly. By following the outlined steps and partnering with reputable exporters like The Carnation C° Aposentos Flowers, you can access high-quality and fresh-cut carnations and spray carnations that meet market demands. With careful planning and attention to quality, your carnation flower bunches will arrive fresh, vibrant, and ready to delight your customers. Whether you need colorful carnations for a carnation bridal bouquet or fresh cut flowers for bulk orders, The Carnation C° Aposentos Flowers is your trusted partner in importing cut flowers from Colombia.
New customers > www.aposentos.com.co | +57 317 5133697 | sales@aposentos.com.co