Quality control
FCV tobacco quality control: sampling, laboratory analysis and inspection
How a lot's specification is established and confirmed before it ships — representative sampling, accredited laboratory analysis, and independent pre-shipment inspection.
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How a specification value is established
Every number published on this site falls into one of four categories. The distinction matters commercially, and it is labelled wherever a value appears.
| Label | What it means | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Indicative | A published typical range for the grade. | Our own crop and grading experience. Not a measurement of your lot. |
| Lot-specific | A value that varies lot by lot. | Recorded on the lot documentation at grading and packing. |
| Lab-confirmed | A measured value for a specific lot. | Accredited independent laboratory analysis of a drawn sample. |
| Buyer-specified | A target or maximum you set. | Your specification, agreed before production of the lot. |
No value on this website is a certificate of analysis. Indicative ranges describe what a grade typically delivers. The specification that governs a transaction is the lot-specific one, confirmed by laboratory analysis and issued with the shipping documents.
Sampling
Representative samples are drawn from each lot prior to shipment. Sampling covers the lot as packed, so that the analysed material reflects what is loaded rather than a selected portion of it.
Laboratory analysis
Samples are submitted to an accredited independent laboratory. Analysis covers moisture, nicotine, reducing sugars and chloride as standard. Near-infrared (NIR) analysis is used for rapid in-process moisture and chemistry screening; final values are confirmed by wet chemistry methods per CORESTA standard methods.
Analysis reports are issued per lot and provided to the buyer as part of the shipping documentation package. Buyers may specify their preferred laboratory or testing protocol.
| Parameter | Typical range / standard | Test method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture | 12–14% | Oven drying / NIR | Buyer-specified target range; confirmed per lot |
| Nicotine | Grade-dependent (0.8–4.0%) | CORESTA Method No. 35 / NIR | Lot-specific; confirmed by lab analysis |
| Reducing sugars | Grade-dependent | CORESTA Method No. 37 / NIR | Lot-specific; confirmed by lab analysis |
| Chloride | < 0.5% (buyer-specified) | Potentiometric titration | Buyer-specified maximum; confirmed per lot |
| Total alkaloids | Lot-specific | CORESTA Method No. 35 | Available on request |
| Pesticide residues | Buyer-specified limits | GC-MS / LC-MS/MS | Buyer-specified protocol; third-party lab |
| Heavy metals | Buyer-specified limits | ICP-MS | Available on request; third-party lab |
| Foreign matter | Nil | Visual inspection | Confirmed by pre-shipment inspection |
| Non-tobacco material | Nil | Visual inspection | Confirmed by pre-shipment inspection |
Pre-shipment inspection
An independent inspection company — buyer-specified or mutually agreed — inspects grade, colour, moisture, weight and packaging prior to container loading. An inspection certificate is issued for the shipment.
Traceability and documentation
Every lot is documented from crop year and growing district through to container loading.
- Crop year and district — identified by crop year and growing district (Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Buner or Malakand), with plains or sub-mountain origin recorded.
- Stalk position and colour — the grade code records both. Each C48 carton is labelled with grade, colour, crop year and lot reference number.
- Processing form — recorded per lot, with processing date and facility documented.
- Laboratory analysis — report issued per lot and provided with the shipping documents.
- Shipping documentation — phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, issued per shipment.
Frequently asked questions
Through representative sampling of the lot as packed, laboratory analysis of the sample, and independent pre-shipment inspection before the container is loaded. The analysis report and inspection certificate are issued per lot and travel with the shipping documents, so the values a buyer receives are measurements of the actual lot rather than the indicative ranges published for the grade.
As standard, moisture, nicotine, reducing sugars and chloride, with near-infrared screening in process and final confirmation by wet chemistry following CORESTA recommended methods. Total alkaloids, pesticide residues by GC-MS or LC-MS/MS and heavy metals by ICP-MS are available on request and are usually required for markets with residue limits. Foreign matter and non-tobacco material are checked by visual inspection. Buyers may specify their own laboratory or protocol.
Yes. Buyers may specify their preferred accredited laboratory and testing protocol, and the pre-shipment inspection company is buyer-specified or mutually agreed. Inspection covers grade, colour, moisture, weight and packaging against the agreed specification, and an inspection certificate is issued for the shipment. Nominated third-party services are arranged and priced as part of the quotation.
A certificate of analysis states the lot reference, the parameters measured, typically moisture, nicotine, reducing sugars and chloride, the method used for each, the measured values and the laboratory that issued it. It reports the specific lot sampled, so it should be read alongside the lot's grade code, crop year and packing details. It is not a guarantee of future lots; each lot receives its own report.
Each lot is identified by crop year and growing district, with plains or sub-mountain origin recorded, then by stalk position and colour class in the grade code. Every C48 carton or carton is labelled with grade, colour, crop year, lot reference and net weight; the processing form, processing date and facility are recorded per lot; and the laboratory report, inspection certificate and shipping documents are issued against the same lot reference.
Moisture outside the agreed range, which causes shattering when too dry and mould or weight disputes when too wet; greenish or dark off-grade colour mixed into brighter grades; excess stem or fines in lamina products; foreign matter; and chemistry that does not match the grade claimed. Independent sampling, laboratory analysis and pre-shipment inspection exist to catch each of these before the container is loaded, which is why they should be written into every purchase contract.
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Short clips filmed in our store, on the grading floor and on the processing line. Whole leaf, cut leaf, strips, stems and sample bags, exactly as buyers see them before a container is packed.
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Our leaf, as we handle it
Whole leaf, hands of leaf, strips, fines and sealed samples from our own stock. See all 37 photographs.
Buyer feedback
What buyers say about working with us
Very Professional Company, for FCV tobacco a must considering company with a huge variety of Tobacco Leaves to buy for our brand of cigerettes.
Reply from FCV TobaccoThank you, Elena. Variety is exactly what we build our grade list around, so it is good to hear it made the selection for your brand easier. We look forward to the next lot.
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A very good company to work with. They are professional, reliable, and always deliver on time. Working with them has been a great experience, and I truly appreciate their commitment and service.
Reply from FCV TobaccoThank you, Shehzad. Delivering on the agreed window is something we take seriously, and we appreciate you saying so. Always a pleasure working with your team.
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Professional Company - Highly Recommended for FCV Tobacco in bulk. We are dealing with them for a long time.
Reply from FCV TobaccoThank you, Mehak. Long-standing relationships like yours are the best recommendation we could ask for. We appreciate your continued trust in our FCV supply.
Read on Google →كانت تجربتي مع خدمة العملاء ممتازة. التواصل كان سريعًا ومحترفًا، وتم التعامل مع الطلب والاستفسارات بوضوح واهتمام، ووصل كل شيء بشكل منظم كما توقعت.
Translated from Arabic: My experience with the customer service was excellent. Communication was fast and professional, the order and enquiries were handled clearly and attentively, and everything arrived well organised, as I expected.
Reply from FCV TobaccoThank you very much for your kind review. We appreciate it.
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