Where can UK drinks founders source glass bottles from China, and what are the current freight costs and lead times?

Chinese bottle sourcing can work economically for larger runs, though freight remains volatile and quality requires careful vetting.

**Pricing & MOQ:** - Undecorated 500g bottles: circa £0.85 per unit delivered to UK including mould and trial costs, for 20k-unit runs - 10k-unit custom runs possible but at higher per-unit cost - UK mould amortisation (typically ~£30k) usually charged to the first 20k-bottle production run - Payment terms: typically all upfront or 50% upfront for new customers; credit rare

**Freight:** - 40ft container holds approximately 20k bottles - Current rates: £5k–£6k per container (historical range: £2k normal pre-COVID, peaked at £14k during pandemic) - Freight from Far East remains a significant risk factor

**Supplier options:** - Members recommend requesting introductions through the community; at least one member has established relationships with Chinese manufacturers and is willing to make introductions - **Berlin Packaging** — UK-based alternative with competitive pricing and reliable contact; bottles made outside China - **Vetreria Etrusca** (https://www.vetreriaetrusca.it/en) — Italian supplier; members report very positive experience - Direct Chinese suppliers via LinkedIn outreach common but quality consistency reported as variable

**Caveats:** - Quality issues reported with some Chinese suppliers; vetting is essential - Approximately 90% of UK spirits glass sourced domestically, 10% from China in typical practice - Long lead times and freight volatility mean China works best for larger, less time-sensitive orders