ArtfulTea has always offered our loose leaf tea in two different types of packaging: a brown tea tin and a kraft bag. We've wanted our customers to be able to store our tea in a tin (the best way to keep it fresh longer) while also having the option to purchase a kraft bag as a refill for the tin.
In order to cover the additional cost of packaging, we have previously charged $3.00 more for a tin of our tea than for a kraft bag. In recent years, the amount we pay for these tins has risen significantly. Nonetheless, we felt that it was important enough to offer tins that we absorbed most of that increase instead of passing it along. As of our March shipment, we were paying about $2.75 per tin, yet still charging only $3.00.
These tins are made in China, and we haven’t found any acceptable tea tins made anywhere else (and certainly not in the United States). With the latest tariffs, our cost will rise by another 30%. If we were to purchase a shipment of tins today, we would pay nearly $3.60 per tea tin.
With this in mind, we’ve made the necessary decision to raise the price of our tins to $4.00. We know that this represents a significant increase, but we still believe the best way to store tea for freshness is in a tin designed for the purpose, and we want to continue to offer this option for our customers.
Kraft bags are still a good way to store loose leaf tea for a shorter duration (a few months, if kept free of air, light and moisture). In addition to our standard packaging, we also carry some beautiful washi paper tea tins from Japan. You can also use a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, but it's best to keep it in a cabinet or pantry, away from light.
Thank you, as always, for your understanding and support as we find our way through these challenging times.
