Why buyers order from JKTabak
Leaf is graded, packed and loaded by us at Karachi, and the grade tables on this site are the numbers we quote from. We sell unmanufactured tobacco leaf to factories, blending houses, importers and distributors. We do not sell finished products or sell to individuals.
Sales are coordinated from our office in Oudenaarde, Belgium, and the leaf is handled at our depot in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We took a stand at InterTabac in Dortmund in September 2025 and ship to more than 20 countries. Meet the team, read the order terms, or get a quote.
Who buys leaf from us
The customers we work with fall into a few groups, and each has a different way of buying.
- Cigarette and RYO manufacturers buy graded FCV and burley by the container, usually as stemmed strips, and care most about consistency from one shipment to the next.
- Shisha and hookah makers buy high-sugar leaf as a base for molasses tobacco and focus on absorbency, sugar and fines. See shisha leaf.
- Cigar makers and blenders buy wrapper, binder, filler and dark air-cured leaf, and are most sensitive to colour, elasticity and fermentation. See cigar leaf.
- Processors and reconstitution plants buy scraps and stems at the lowest cost per kilogram. See scraps and stems.
- Importers and distributors buy on behalf of others, and need clean documents and a clear chain of supply.
The markets we ship to
Our buyers are spread across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, and we have shipped to more than 20 countries. Each market has its own import rules, and our sales team is used to working with importers who must satisfy them. We meet many of them at trade fairs; in 2025 we took a stand at InterTabac in Dortmund. If you are unsure what your country asks of an importer, the guide on importer compliance is a useful starting point.
Choosing a type and what to expect
Choosing a type in two minutes
| Your product | Start with | Then look at |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes, cut-rag | FCV | Burley for body, oriental for aroma |
| Roll-your-own | FCV | Blends |
| Shisha, molasses tobacco | High-sugar FCV | Strips or loose leaf |
| Cigars | Cigar leaf | Dark air-cured filler |
| Chewing, snuff, traditional | Dark air-cured | Rustica |
| Reconstituted sheet, budget blends | Scraps and stems | Strips |
What to expect after you send an enquiry
We read the specification and check it against what we hold. If something is unclear, such as a nicotine target that does not match any grade, we ask. We then send an offer with the lot, the form, the price per kilogram, the packing and the shipment window. If you want a sample, we arrange it where that is lawful for your destination. After you have tested it, we agree the contract details together and prepare the shipment. The wholesale terms describe each step.
Why we publish prices and grades
A lot of leaf selling is done by private message with no public information, which makes comparison hard and invites mistakes. We publish indicative grade values and prices so a buyer can judge fit before writing to us. They are indicative and are confirmed in the quotation, but they let you see whether we are in the right range. The way we keep the numbers consistent is explained on how we write and check this site.
Guides for buyers
If you are new to buying leaf, or want a second opinion on your process, these short guides are the place to start:
- How to read FCV grade numbers
- How to check a leaf sample before you buy
- How to specify a leaf blend
- FOB Karachi explained
- The export documents checklist
What we ask of buyers and what we commit to
What we ask of buyers
We ask for the company name, registration and country, what the leaf is for and where it is going. We do this for every new buyer, because tobacco is regulated and because we want to be sure we are selling to a business that can lawfully take delivery. It is not a formality we apply to some and not others. You will find the details on our compliance notice.
What we commit to when you contact us
- We will tell you whether we can supply what you describe, and say so plainly if we cannot.
- We will give you the specification of the lot we are offering, not a general description.
- We will not claim certificates, inspections or awards we cannot document.
- We will confirm prices, quantities and terms in writing before any order.
- We will correct errors on this site when we are told about them.
Using this site
How this site is organised
Each page does one job. Type pages explain a tobacco type. Form pages explain how the leaf is processed and carry the price tables. The wholesale terms page sets out the commercial rules once. The guides in the blog go deeper on buyer questions, and the compliance and editorial pages explain our responsibilities. If you are looking for something and cannot find it, ask us.
A note for first-time buyers of raw leaf
If you have only bought finished goods before, buying leaf is a different discipline. You are buying an agricultural material that varies from crop to crop, you have to process it yourself, and the paperwork is heavier. A few habits help from the start. Write a specification before you ask for a price. Test a sample in your own process. Buy a single container before you commit to a programme. Choose a forwarder and a customs broker before the leaf is on the water. And read the rules for your country before you order. None of these costs much, and each prevents a problem that costs a lot.
Tobacco is harmful to health. JKTabak supplies tobacco leaf to licensed commercial buyers only (manufacturers, processors, importers and distributors). The buyer is responsible for confirming that import, purchase and resale of tobacco is lawful in the destination country.
Photos and video from our lots
Pictures and clips of leaf we handle. For current photographs or video of a specific lot, ask us. The full sets are on the gallery and videos pages.
