Seeds for Resale: An Independent Importer's Decision Guide

For a small retail seed shop, the question of whether to buy wholesale from a Germany-based supplier that quotes on enquiry comes down to how well that model fits your budgeting and planning rhythm. This guide explains what a non-binding enquiry means in practice, what the catalogue does and does not promise, and how to decide whether a single test order is worthwhile.

What the enquiry model actually is

The supplier operates a catalogue where you select varieties and quantities, then send a non-binding enquiry. Submitting the form does not place an order and no payment is taken through the website. The supplier reviews your selection, quantities and destination before issuing a quotation. The quotation is where availability, pack sizes, prices, taxes, shipping charges, payment terms and delivery arrangements are set out. Only the quotation and any subsequent agreement create supply terms.

What the catalogue does promise

The catalogue organises entries by seed group, species and variety, with product pages showing available descriptions, reference numbers and listed prices. It covers vegetables, flowers, herbs, microgreens and sprouts, with named selections such as herb varieties kept under their own reference. The catalogue is the starting point for a selection, and listed prices and quantity tiers give you a rough sense of scale before you enquire.

What the catalogue does not promise

Listed descriptions and prices relate to catalogue entries; they do not confirm current stock or batch-specific test results. A price per kilogram is a different basis from a price for a stated number of seeds, so use the product's recorded unit. Botanical synonymy, such as Rosmarinus officinalis being a synonym of the accepted name Salvia rosmarinus, describes a name change rather than a separate assortment. A seed selection should not be assumed identical to a vegetatively named clone simply because both are rosemary.

How this affects your budgeting rhythm

Because final prices and shipping charges only appear in the quotation, you cannot treat the catalogue as a fixed price list for cash-flow planning. A practical approach is to treat listed prices as an indication, build your margin plan around the quotation you receive, and keep a buffer for shipping and any applicable taxes that are specified separately. If you need to plan a season in advance, request quotations early enough that the reply fits your buying window.

Planning a first test order

A sensible test is one order with a narrow, well-defined selection: a few varieties you already know sell, in quantities you can store and turn over. Record the SKU, the required weight and your destination clearly in the enquiry. When the quotation arrives, compare the unit basis (per kilogram or per stated number of seeds), pack size, available quantity and final price against your plan. Use the outcome to judge whether the enquiry rhythm suits how you buy.

Import and destination checks

For shipments from Germany, the requirements depend on the goods and their risk category, and not all seeds share the same documentation requirements. Destinations are treated separately: guidance for Great Britain does not automatically apply to Northern Ireland, which follows its own official plant import instructions. Check the current official guidance for your destination and state the documents you need in your enquiry, so the supplier can check availability and supply details before quoting.

Deciding whether to test it

Test the model if you value a broad catalogue, can accept that final pricing arrives at quotation stage, and are willing to prepare a precise enquiry. Look elsewhere if you need published, fixed prices for immediate purchase decisions, or if your import documentation requirements cannot be clarified before you commit. A single non-binding enquiry costs you no payment and no contractual commitment, which makes it a low-risk way to see how the supplier responds to your selection and destination.

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