1) Commercial definition & customs classification
Indicative HS family: 080410. 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 Dates is not enough for offer comparison. Select the required form or grade from Mazafati, Kabkab, Sayer, Zahedi and selected varieties 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
Variety, size, texture and moisture, defect rate, infestation, cleanliness and cold-chain needs must be defined by date type. 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 Variety, size, moisture or texture, grade, packing, volume, storage and destination. 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 Crop year, grading basis, food-safety evidence, storage and temperature records where relevant. 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: Cold-chain or ambient packs depending on variety and destination. 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
Variety, grade, crop year, packaging, cold storage, transport temperature, order size and buying season 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
Cold-chain breaks, undisclosed syrup treatment, infestation, grade mixing and old stock are common 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 Variety, size, moisture or texture, grade, packing, volume, storage and destination?
- 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.