Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Glass Bottle Supplier Before Buying

Let’s cut through the noise: sourcing glass bottles isn’t just about aesthetics or MOQs—it’s about supply chain resilience, regulatory compliance, and long-term cost efficiency. As a packaging strategist who’s audited over 120 suppliers across Asia, Europe, and North America, I’ve seen too many brands get burned by skipping due diligence.

Here are the 10 non-negotiable questions—backed by real data from the 2024 Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) Supplier Benchmark Report:

1. **What’s your average lead time—and how often do you miss it?** → Industry avg. on-time delivery: 78%. Top-tier suppliers hit ≥94% (GPI, 2024).

2. **Do you hold ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and FDA/EFSA certifications?** → 63% of ‘certified’ suppliers lack valid third-party audit reports.

3. **What’s your minimum order quantity (MOQ) for custom molds—and is mold ownership transferable?**

4. **How do you test for heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As) and thermal shock resistance?** → EU MDR & US FDA require ≤1.0 ppm Pb in food-contact glass.

5. **Can you provide batch-level traceability (melt date, furnace ID, QC logs)?**

6. **What’s your defect rate (AQL Level II)?** → Acceptable: ≤1.5%. Industry median: 2.8%.

7. **Do you offer sustainable logistics (e.g., returnable pallets, ocean-only shipping)?** → Ocean freight emits 90% less CO₂ than air per ton-mile.

8. **Are your raw materials sourced ethically? Do you track sand origin?**

9. **What’s your policy on design IP and tooling retention post-contract?**

10. **Can you share references—including one client in *your* exact industry (cosmetics, beverage, pharma)?**

Below: A snapshot of supplier performance across key KPIs (based on anonymized audits):

Pro tip: Always request a physical sample *with full test reports*—not just a photo. And never sign an NDA before reviewing their quality manual.

Still unsure where to start? Check out our comprehensive supplier vetting checklist—designed to help you avoid costly recalls, delays, and reputational risk. Download the free guide here.