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Want to launch your own CO2 cylinder brand without building a factory? You’re not alone. More importers are choosing private label partnerships with Chinese suppliers to grow faster.
To start a private label CO2 cylinders business, you need to choose a certified manufacturer, design your branding, clarify packaging needs, and ensure compliance with your target market’s safety regulations.
Private label means you sell cylinders under your brand—but someone else makes them. Done right, this gives you full brand control, low startup risk, and faster time-to-market.
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Why choose private label instead of OEM or dropshipping?
OEM gives control, but needs scale. Dropshipping is fast, but not built for CO2 cylinders.
Private label gives you branding freedom, competitive pricing, and consistent quality—without needing to run your own production line.
Private label vs other models
| Model | Ownership | Risk | Speed to Market | Customization | Best For |
| OEM (own factory) | Full | High | Slow | Full | Large-scale brands |
| Dropshipping | None | Low | Fast | None | B2C hobby sellers |
| Private Label | Medium | Medium | Fast | Flexible | B2B importers & distributors |
At Alizee, many of our clients use private label to build their brand before considering OEM or regional assembly.
Why choose private label instead of OEM or dropshipping?
The process is simple, but it needs good planning.
You’ll go from concept to cargo in about 3–5 weeks if you choose the right supplier and prepare your assets early.
Step-by-step: Start your private label CO2 business
1. Choose the right product type
Decide if you’re targeting:
- Paintball: 9oz, 12oz, 20oz tanks
- Beverage / Soda: 0.6L, 1L, 2L cylinders
- Kegerator: 2.5lb, 5lb, 10lb CO2 tanks for draft systems
- Scuba / Diving: 3L, 6.8L HPA cylinders
Each market has different certification and branding needs. For example, beverage and kegerator use requires food-grade compliance and clean threading, while diving demands EN12245 or TPED approval.
2. Select a supplier with full customization support
Your supplier must:
- Offer branding and labeling in-house
- Provide CE, DOT, or TPED documentation
- Handle batch tracking and quality inspection
Alizee meets all of these from a single factory setup with 5 production lines.
3. Send your logo and packaging specs
We can work with:
- Adobe Illustrator (.ai)
- PDF vector files
- Simple logo ideas that need redesign
We’ll return printable mockups and packaging samples for confirmation.
4. Confirm MOQ, lead time, and shipping route
Our typical terms for private label:
| Item | Detail |
| MOQ | 300–500 units (based on size and design) |
| Lead time (custom print) | 18–25 days |
| Shipping options | FOB, CIF, DDP (available worldwide) |
How much does it cost to start?
Not as much as you think.
Private label CO2 cylinders can be launched with under $5,000 total investment, including design, production, and initial shipping.
Budget breakdown (for beverage CO2 cylinders, 1L size)
| Cost Item | Estimated Cost (USD) |
| Cylinder production (500 pcs) | $2,200–$2,600 |
| Logo printing & labeling | $300–$500 |
| Custom packaging | $150–$300 |
| Sea freight (to U.S./EU) | $700–$1,200 |
| Import duty (est.) | Varies by country |
| Total | $3,500–$4,500 |
Start lean. Scale fast once you’ve validated your market.
What makes a Chinese supplier trustworthy?
The key isn’t just price—it’s transparency, certification, and service.
Look for a factory with real export experience, clear compliance records, and the ability to customize everything from tank to box.
Questions to ask your CO2 supplier
- Can you provide DOT, CE, or TPED certificates?
- Do you control all production steps in-house?
- Can you help with custom packaging and barcoding?
- Have you exported to my country before?
- What is your quality control process per batch?
At Alizee, we’ve helped hundreds of importers—from startups to supermarket chains—build custom CO2 cylinder lines in just one season.
