Chinese Herbal Slice Grades: How Bulk Buyers Compare Grade I, II and III

Grade I, Grade II and Premium are commercial grading labels. They do not have one universal meaning across suppliers. Two suppliers may use different sorting criteria for the same grade name. Compare the written grade definition and approved sample before comparing quotations.

What a Chinese Herbal Slice Grade Means Commercially

A commercial grade is usually a sorting or presentation label based on criteria such as size, uniformity, breakage, visible defects or other product-specific fields.

The meaning depends on the grading system being used.

A grade may also reflect origin, processing state or other commercial requirements when these are specifically included in the supplier or buyer specification.

Why Grade I, II and III Are Not Universal

Some herbs have formal commercial grading systems. However, there is no single Grade I definition that applies to all Chinese medicinal materials.

Suppliers may use different physical criteria for the same “Grade I” label. A sliced root also needs different grading criteria from a flower, leaf, fruit or seed.

Treat a grade name as a supplier-specific or standard-specific commercial classification until the underlying criteria are defined in writing.

This is why buyers should ask what grading system is being used before comparing quotations.

In China, commodity grading of medicinal materials does have a formal framework. The commerce-industry standard SB/T 11173-2016 sets the general rules for commodity specifications and grades, and herb-by-herb group standards issued by the China Association of Chinese Medicine (the T/CACM 1021 series) define the actual grade criteria for individual herbs. The criteria change from herb to herb — some grade by root or slice diameter, others by the number of pieces per kilogram — which is why one Grade I definition cannot be carried from one herb to another. Chinese institutional purchasing also commonly uses a simpler two-level split: tonghuo (统货, ungraded commercial goods) and xuanhuo (选货, selected goods). Neither label replaces pharmacopoeial or contaminant testing.

Commercial Grade vs Pharmacopoeial Compliance

Commercial grading and pharmacopoeial or contractual compliance answer different procurement questions.

A batch may meet the applicable pharmacopoeial or contractual requirements while being sold in different commercial grades. Commercial appearance and analytical compliance should therefore be evaluated separately.

A higher commercial grade does not automatically mean better analytical results, and a lower commercial grade does not automatically indicate regulatory failure.

What Can Define a Grade — and What Cannot

Commercial Appearance and Sorting Criteria

Commercial grade criteria may include:

• Raw-material diameter
• Slice diameter
• Slice thickness
• Length
• Shape
• Uniformity
• Whole-piece ratio
• Broken-piece allowance
• Fines or powder
• Colour range
• Visible defects
• Foreign matter

Buyers should define only the fields relevant to the specific herb and intended use.

Numeric limits should be agreed in the purchase specification rather than assumed from the grade name.

For example:

• Size: [agreed range]
• Slice thickness: [agreed range]
• Whole-piece ratio: [agreed minimum]
• Broken pieces: [agreed maximum]
• Fines: [agreed maximum]

Processing and Analytical Requirements

Commercial grade should be kept separate from:

• Processing status
• Sulfur treatment or sulfur requirement
• Moisture
• Pesticide residues
• Heavy metals
• Microbiology
• Marker compounds
• Extractives

These fields may appear in the same purchase specification, but they should not be assumed from a Grade I, Grade II or Premium label.

Visual inspection can assess visible presentation. It cannot confirm sulfur status, pesticide compliance or heavy-metal compliance.

Why Criteria Differ by Herb

Astragalus / Huang Qi — Root or slice diameter, cut direction, thickness, uniformity and breakage may be commercially relevant.

Angelica sinensis / Dang Gui — Root form, cut, surface condition and herb-specific morphology may matter more than a generic diameter rule.

Codonopsis / Dang Shen — Root size and slice presentation may matter, but its criteria should not simply copy Astragalus.

Flowers / Leaves — Intactness, colour, fragmentation and foreign matter may be more useful grading criteria.

Fruits / Seeds — Size, maturity, intactness and impurity may matter more than diameter alone.

The grading criteria should therefore follow the material being purchased rather than one fixed Grade I / II / III checklist. Buyers can review the available Chinese herbal slices range after confirming the grade and specification required for each herb.

How to Compare Two “Grade I” Quotations

The example below is illustrative only and does not represent actual Aile Herb specifications.

Supplier A: Grade I Astragalus Slices
vs.
Supplier B: Grade I Astragalus Slices

Compare like with like before comparing price.

A lower quotation may simply reflect a different size range, cut, broken-piece allowance, analytical scope or packing specification rather than the same material at a lower price.

Turn a Grade Name into a Purchase Specification

Grade Name → Written Grade Criteria → Approved Sample → Signed Specification / PO → Bulk-Batch Verification

The grade name starts the discussion. The written specification and approved sample become the actual acceptance basis.

The written specification should define the measurable commercial fields, processing requirements, analytical scope, packing and documentation expected for the order.

The approved sample provides a physical reference for appearance and presentation, but it should support the written criteria rather than replace them.

Raw-Material Grade vs Finished-Cut Specification

Raw-material grade and finished-cut specification are related but separate.

Raw-material size and sorting may be one commercial field. Finished slice thickness, cut direction and dimensions are another.

Custom cutting can change the finished presentation without changing the original raw-material grade. Buyers should therefore avoid assuming that “Grade I” automatically defines slice thickness or cut type.

For the wider specification structure, see the Chinese Herbal Slices Specification Guide.

For specific cutting requirements, see Custom Cutting.

Control Grade Consistency on Repeat Orders

Chinese herbs are agricultural materials, so normal lot-to-lot variation exists.

The objective is defined acceptable variation, not perfect visual sameness.

Useful controls include:

• Written specification with measurable tolerances
• Approved reference sample with sample code and date
• Representative batch photos
• Pre-shipment sample where commercially justified
• Batch-linked COA for agreed analytical requirements
• Change notification for material changes
• Incoming inspection against the same specification

Changes in origin, processing, cut, sorting criteria or packing should be communicated when these fields are contractually controlled.

For repeat purchasing, the buyer should judge whether the new batch remains within the agreed range rather than expect every agricultural lot to look identical.

When a Grade Label Is Too Vague

Grade-Comparison RFQ / PO Template

Use the fields below when requesting a quotation or preparing a purchase order so grade, cut, sorting and testing requirements are recorded rather than implied.

For broader sourcing requirements before placing an order, see the Bulk Chinese Herbs Sourcing Checklist.

Incoming Grade Verification

At receipt, compare the supplied batch with the written specification and approved reference.

Check:

• Product and botanical identity
• Plant part and product form
• Cut direction and thickness
• Size and uniformity
• Whole pieces, broken pieces and fines
• Visible foreign matter and gross defects
• Approved sample reference
• Batch label and COA linkage
• Deviations against written tolerances

Visual inspection should not be used to determine pesticide, heavy-metal or sulfur compliance.

For analytical documentation, see the Certificate of Analysis Guide.

FAQ

Is Grade I a universal standard for Chinese herbal slices?

No. Grade I may refer to a supplier’s commercial sorting system, a buyer specification or a product-specific standard. It is not one classification applied consistently across every Chinese herbal material. Buyers should request the written definition before using the grade for quotation comparison or acceptance.

Is there an official grading standard for Chinese herbal slices? There is a framework, not one universal grade. SB/T 11173-2016 sets general grading rules, and the T/CACM 1021 group standards define grades herb by herb. Buyers should ask which standard and which herb-specific part a supplier’s “Grade I” refers to, then write the measurable criteria into the purchase specification.

Can two suppliers’ Grade I quotations be compared directly?

Not by name alone. Two suppliers may use different criteria for size, uniformity, breakage, processing or presentation under the same Grade I label. Compare the underlying specification, approved sample, test scope and packing before comparing price.

Does Grade I mean the material meets the Chinese Pharmacopoeia?

Not automatically. Commercial grade describes sorting or presentation, while pharmacopoeial conformity addresses applicable identity, quality and test requirements. These should be verified separately according to the agreed product and destination-market requirements.

Can visual inspection confirm sulfur-free status or contaminant compliance?

No. Appearance, size and visible defects can be checked visually, but sulfur status, pesticide residues and heavy metals require appropriate documentation and laboratory testing according to the agreed specification.

Should buyers approve a sample before placing a bulk order?

Yes. An approved sample provides a useful physical reference for size, cut and appearance. It should be used together with written tolerances, processing requirements and analytical scope so the later bulk shipment can be evaluated consistently.

How should buyers manage grade consistency across harvests?

Define acceptable variation rather than require identical appearance. Use measurable tolerances, a dated reference sample, representative batch photos and pre-shipment samples where appropriate. Require notification when controlled fields such as origin, processing, cut or sorting criteria change.

Define the Grade Before Comparing Quotations

Send your herb name, botanical name where available, destination market, required cut, commercial grade or sorting criteria, analytical or testing scope, and quantity.

Aile Herb can review the specification before quotation and prepare a representative sample for approval.

To define the grade, cut and sorting criteria before quotation, see our custom cutting and specifications service and request a representative sample for approval.