1) Commercial definition & customs classification
Indicative HS family: 271320. Use it only as a research starting point; final classification must be confirmed against the exact product form, current origin/destination tariff and the transaction's customs adviser.
2) Form, grade & acceptable range
A generic name for Iranian Bitumen is not enough for offer comparison. Select the required form or grade from Penetration 40/50, 60/70, 80/100 and viscosity grades and define the standard, end use, tolerance and rejection/acceptance limits.
3) Producer map & seller role
Establish whether the counterparty is the producer, authorised representative, distributor or trader. Legal identity, production/storage location, realistic capacity and relationship to the lot should be traceable.
4) Quality, sample & acceptance criteria
Penetration, softening point, viscosity, loss on heating and sampling method must be tied to a reference standard. Define sampling, laboratory or inspector, acceptance limits and the buyer-side final approval authority before contract.
5) A priceable RFQ
The RFQ should at minimum include Grade, quantity, destination, packing, loading window and delivery basis. Any substitution in grade, source, packaging or standard should be presented as a separate alternate offer for explicit approval.
6) Sampling, inspection & pre-shipment control
For sensitive lots, agree the sampling point and timing, seal method, quantity/quality inspection, package and batch/heat reconciliation, and the conditions for issuing the inspection report before loading.
7) Documents & evidence chain
Core evidence may include COA, origin, refinery or producer identity and inspection basis. Check issuer, date, revision, batch/heat/shipment reference and the decision each document supports; a long certificate list disconnected from the lot has limited decision value.
8) Packaging, storage & loading
Typical packaging: New steel drums, jumbo bags or bulk. Match package strength, net/gross weight, marking, palletisation or securing, moisture/contamination sensitivity and destination handling to the transport route.
9) Price, Incoterm & landed comparison
Grade, packaging, net drum weight, loading point, shipment schedule and currency basis materially affect price. Separate currency, Incoterm and named place, weight/quantity basis, duties/taxes, inspection, packing, inland logistics, international freight and destination costs from the commodity price.
10) Payment, parties & compliance
Screen seller and payment beneficiary, signatory authority, beneficiary account, banking/transport constraints, sanctions and origin/destination legal requirements for the specific transaction. This public guide is not legal or banking advice.
11) Export handover & customs file
Before cargo moves, assign responsibility for invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, product permits/certificates, export declaration and customs coordination, inspection, freight booking and document handover. Exact requirements depend on product and destination.
12) Common failures & stop signals
Mixed batches, underweight drums, unrelated COAs, reprocessed material and unrepresentative samples are key risks. Pressure for immediate payment, sudden beneficiary changes, unreferenced evidence, non-representative samples or refusal to answer technical questions should trigger a stop and further review.
Questions to resolve before discussing price
- Does the RFQ clearly include Grade, quantity, destination, packing, loading window and delivery basis?
- Has the final HS classification plus origin/destination permits and controls been confirmed for the exact product form?
- What sampling or quality-control method and approval authority will apply?
- What currency, Incoterm, named place and weight or quantity basis apply to price?
- Which documents are required before payment, before loading and for destination clearance?
- How will rejection, correction, damages or dispute resolution work if the lot is non-conforming?
Important note: This page is general preparation material and does not imply inventory, a firm price or supplier approval.