Grade 1 Boswellia Papyrifera Resin for Wholesale Buyers

Looking for a reliable Ethiopian frankincense supplier that can deliver consistent quality at scale? Ethio Resins Export PLC exports Grade 1 Boswellia papyrifera frankincense sourced directly from Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region, on the border with Sudan. We supply importers, incense makers, essential oil distillers and cosmetic manufacturers worldwide, with shipments loaded FOB Djibouti.

 

This guide explains what makes Ethiopian frankincense different, how we grade our resin, and what to expect when you buy frankincense in bulk from us.

 

What is Boswellia papyrifera frankincense?

 

Boswellia papyrifera is the frankincense tree of the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, growing wild across Ethiopia, Sudan and Eritrea. When the bark is carefully tapped, the tree releases a milky sap that hardens into translucent tears of resin, known in trade as olibanum or gum olibanum.

 

Papyrifera resin is valued for its bright, citrus-balsamic scent. Its essential oil is naturally rich in octyl acetate, which sets it apart from Somali Boswellia carterii and Indian Boswellia serrata. It is also the traditional church incense of Ethiopia and is used widely in Orthodox and Catholic churches around the world.

 

Why buy Ethiopian frankincense from Benishangul-Gumuz?

 

Our resin comes from the Benishangul-Gumuz region in western Ethiopia, along the Sudanese border. It is the same Boswellia papyrifera growing belt that supplies Sudanese frankincense, so buyers get the same species and quality profile.

• Direct sourcing: we work with local harvesters and collectors, so there are fewer middlemen between the tree and your warehouse.
• Large, steady supply: the region has extensive wild Boswellia woodland, which lets us fill repeat and multi-ton orders.
• Seasonal freshness: resin is harvested in the dry season, then cleaned and sorted before export.
• Short route to port: shipments move by road to Djibouti, the main export port for Ethiopian goods.

Grade 1 frankincense: product specifications

 

Our main export grade is Grade 1 frankincense: large, clean, hand-sorted tears with minimal bark, sand or dust. We can also supply other grades on request.

Specification	Grade 1 Boswellia papyrifera
Botanical name	Boswellia papyrifera
Trade names	Frankincense, olibanum, gum olibanum
Origin	Ethiopia, Benishangul-Gumuz region
HS Code	130190
Appearance	Large tears, light yellow to pale amber, translucent
Sorting	Hand-sorted and cleaned

 

Who buys our frankincense resin?

 

We supply bulk frankincense resin to buyers in several industries:

 

• Church and incense suppliers: papyrifera is a classic church incense, prized for its clean, bright smoke.
• Essential oil distillers: its octyl acetate-rich oil is in demand for aromatherapy and perfumery.
• Cosmetic and personal care manufacturers: frankincense extracts are used in skin care, soaps and fragrances.
• Importers and wholesalers: we ship multi-ton lots for resale in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.

 

Whatever your use, buying direct from an Ethiopian frankincense exporter gives you better control over quality, price and supply.

 

Wholesale terms: price, shipping and certificates

 

We make buying frankincense in bulk simple and transparent.

Term	Details
Price basis	Per kg, FOB Djibouti
Minimum order	500 kg; 1 kg samples available
Supply capacity	Large, steady supply for repeat and multi-ton orders e.g., X tons per month
Loading port	Djibouti
Packing	25 kg or 50 kg PP bags, or as the buyer requires

 

Export documents and certificates: every shipment comes with full export documentation, including  Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading. Lab analysis or third-party inspection can be arranged on request.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

What is the difference between Ethiopian and Sudanese frankincense? Both come from the same species, Boswellia papyrifera, and the same growing belt along the Ethiopia–Sudan border. Our Benishangul-Gumuz resin shares the Sudanese type’s quality profile and ships through Djibouti.

 

What is the price of frankincense per kg? We quote per kg, FOB Djibouti. The price depends on grade and volume. Contact us for a current quotation.

 

Can I order a sample before a bulk order? Yes. We send 1 kg samples by international courier, and we can share a video of the resin first.

 

Which certificates do you provide? We provide full export documentation, including Certificate of Origin and Phytosanitary Certificate. Lab analysis can be arranged on request.

 

Do you supply myrrh and other natural resins? Yes, we also source myrrh and other natural resins

 

Which port do you ship from? All bulk orders are loaded at the Port of Djibouti.

 

What is olibanum?
Olibanum is the trade name for frankincense resin. Gum olibanum, frankincense and olibanum all mean the same product.

 

How is frankincense graded?
By tear size, color, cleanliness and impurity content. Grade 1 means large, light-colored, hand-sorted tears with minimal bark and dust.

 

How can I tell if frankincense is good quality?
Good resin is translucent, light-colored, dry, and has a fresh, strong scent when warmed. It should contain little bark, sand or powder.

 

What is the shelf life of frankincense resin?
Stored cool, dry and sealed, the resin keeps for several years. The scent slowly weakens as it ages.

 

Is your frankincense natural and unprocessed?
Yes. It is wild-harvested resin that is only cleaned and sorted by hand, with no additives.

 

Can you supply frankincense on a monthly contract?
Yes. Our large supply lets us support regular monthly or quarterly shipments.

 

Do you offer CIF or CFR shipping?
Our standard term is FOB Djibouti. CIF or CFR to your port can be quoted on request.

 

Which payment methods do you accept?
Bank transfer (T/T),  L/C, CAD, Escrow