1) Commercial definition & customs classification
Indicative HS family: 290511. 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 Methanol is not enough for offer comparison. Select the required form or grade from Bulk methanol by agreed purity, water and impurity limits 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
Purity, water, acidity, density, color and agreed impurity limits should be linked to defined sampling and test methods. 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 Purity, water, impurities, quantity, loading terminal, delivery basis, destination and shipment window. 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, SDS, producer identity, tank or vessel cleanliness evidence and shipment documents. 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: Bulk tanker, ISO tank or vessel subject to route and dangerous-goods controls. 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
Purity, parcel size, loading terminal, tank or vessel arrangement, freight, schedule and delivery terms drive the landed comparison. 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
Tank contamination, weak sampling, unrelated SDS/COA, dangerous-goods restrictions and changing trade or transport controls are material 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 Purity, water, impurities, quantity, loading terminal, delivery basis, destination and shipment window?
- 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.