| Soluble powder | Ask for humic-acid content, water solubility, potassium oxide (K₂O), moisture, pH, and insoluble matter. Values vary by grade and test method. | Approximately US$1.00–2.50/kg for bulk export quantities; higher-purity or higher-solubility grades may cost more. | Commonly 20–25 kg moisture-resistant bags; palletized. Confirm whether bags have an inner liner. | Dry powder is generally suitable for sea freight. Protect from moisture and damaged packaging; confirm container loading quantity and pallet requirements. | MOQ is supplier-specific and may start at one pallet or several tonnes. Confirm quote validity, currency, and whether the price is EXW, FOB, or another Incoterms® 2020 term. | Request a recent certificate of analysis (CoA), product specification, safety data sheet (SDS), and a sample from the same grade being quoted. |
| Granular or flake | Check humic-acid content, K₂O, particle size, dust level, moisture, and dissolution performance in the intended water conditions. | Approximately US$1.20–3.00/kg in bulk; particle-size control and processing can affect the price. | Usually 20–25 kg bags or larger bulk bags, depending on handling equipment and order volume. | Confirm that particles will remain free-flowing during storage and transit. Ask how the cargo is protected from humidity and compression. | Agree on the permitted particle-size range, packaging weight tolerance, pallet configuration, and claims procedure for damaged or nonconforming goods. | Test dissolution and sediment in a small batch before placing a large order; compare the test result with the supplier’s stated method. |
| Liquid concentrate | Compare humic substances per litre, K₂O, density, pH, viscosity, dilution instructions, and stability. Compare products on active content, not volume alone. | Approximately US$0.40–1.20/L for bulk concentrate; concentration and packaging can change the delivered cost substantially. | Common options include sealed drums, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), or larger tanks. Confirm net content and container compatibility. | Liquid adds shipping weight and may have temperature or leakage considerations. Request freight and handling quotes based on the actual package type and destination. | Clarify whether the quote includes drums or IBCs, returnable-container rules, filling charges, and any applicable dangerous-goods declaration requirements. | Check shelf life, storage temperature, freeze or heat sensitivity, batch date, and whether the material remains pumpable after storage. |
| Small trial order | Use the same grade and specification intended for a later commercial order. Confirm that trial material is representative of routine production. | Usually quoted separately; per-unit cost is often higher because of sampling, packing, and small-shipment handling. | Small sealed bags, bottles, or sample containers; confirm whether sample and courier costs are billed separately. | Courier or air shipment may be practical for samples, subject to carrier rules and destination import requirements. | Confirm sample charge, dispatch date, tracking, and whether the sample fee is credited against a subsequent order. | Record sample batch number and test results so they can be compared with the production batch before shipment. |
| Bulk sea-freight order | Write the specification into the purchase contract, including test method, packaging, tolerances, and the inspection or sampling procedure. | Request a separate price for the goods and a separate freight quote. Ocean freight varies by route, season, equipment availability, and booking date. | Bagged or palletized cargo, or bulk bags where appropriate. Container payload depends on packaging, container limits, and local road restrictions. | Transit time is route-dependent; obtain a current carrier schedule and allow for port handling, customs clearance, and inland delivery. | Specify Incoterms® 2020, named place or port, shipment window, documents, payment milestones, and responsibility for import clearance and duties. | Review the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin if required, CoA, and any destination-specific import documents. |
| Purchase and payment terms | Define product name, grade, composition, test methods, acceptance limits, and the process for resolving specification disputes. | Compare like-for-like quotations: same specification, order quantity, packaging, currency, Incoterm, and delivery destination. | State bag or container type, net weight, label information, palletization, and any language or regulatory requirements. | Set a shipment schedule and identify who books freight, insures the cargo, arranges customs clearance, and pays destination charges. | Payment may be negotiated by advance payment, documentary credit, or another agreed method. Do not assume credit terms are available; document payment triggers in the contract. | Verify legal seller details, bank-account changes independently, inspection rights, delivery deadlines, cancellation terms, and remedies for late or nonconforming goods. |