It is a general guide. Import rules, duties and labelling requirements differ by country, so confirm the details for your market with your customs broker before you order.
The process in eight steps
- Define what you need
Decide on the product (arenga palm sugar or coconut sugar), the granulation, the packing format and the volume. If you are unsure which sugar fits your recipe, read our comparison of arenga and coconut sugar.
- Request a sample
Test the sample in your own recipe and check it against the specification sheet and the Certificate of Analysis.
- Get a quotation
A quotation should state the price, the packing and the shipping terms, and how long it stays valid. Ours is valid for 14 days.
- Agree the terms
Confirm the shipping term (FOB or CIF), the payment terms and the delivery window, and have them written into the contract or proforma invoice.
- Production and packing
The supplier prepares and packs your order to the agreed specification.
- Documents and booking
The supplier prepares the shipping documents and books the container, or you book it yourself under FOB, using your own freight forwarder.
- Shipment
The goods are loaded at the Indonesian port and sail to your destination port.
- Customs clearance and delivery
You or your customs broker clear the goods at the destination port, pay the import duties and taxes, and arrange delivery to your warehouse.
Documents you should expect
The exact set depends on your country and product. These are the documents we provide with each shipment:
| Document | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | The main sales document. Customs uses it to value the goods and calculate duties. |
| Packing list | Lists what is in each package, with quantities and weights, so customs and your warehouse can check the shipment. |
| Bill of Lading | Issued by the shipping line. It is the contract of carriage and a receipt for the goods. |
| Certificate of Analysis | Shows what a specific lot delivered against the specification, such as granulation and moisture. We issue one per lot. |
| Certificate of Origin | States where the goods were produced. Some countries use it to apply customs duty rules. |
| Phytosanitary certificate | Issued by the exporting country's plant quarantine authority. We supply it where your country requires it. |
| Halal certificate | The Halal certificate of the producing facility, on request, for buyers and markets that need it. |
| Organic transaction certificate | For organic coconut sugar orders. |
Certificates are held by our producing partners, and copies are available on request. Always ask your supplier which certificates cover the specific lot you are buying.
FOB or CIF? What each term means
Shipping terms come from the Incoterms rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce. They decide who arranges and pays for each part of the journey, and the point where risk passes from seller to buyer. We offer FOB Tanjung Priok or Belawan, and CIF on request.
| Item | FOB (Free On Board) | CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) |
|---|---|---|
| Export clearance in Indonesia | Seller | Seller |
| Transport to the port and loading on the vessel | Seller | Seller |
| Sea freight to your port | Buyer | Seller |
| Marine insurance | Buyer, at its own choice | Seller arranges minimum cover |
| Risk passes to the buyer | When the goods are on board at the Indonesian port | When the goods are on board at the Indonesian port |
| Import clearance, duties and taxes | Buyer | Buyer |
| Delivery from your port to your warehouse | Buyer | Buyer |
Under CIF the seller pays for the freight, but the risk still passes to you at the Indonesian port. The insurance the seller arranges is a minimum cover, so many buyers add their own policy. When you use a term, name the port and the Incoterms edition, for example "FOB Tanjung Priok, Incoterms 2020".
- Choose FOB if you have a freight forwarder you trust, or you get good freight rates. You control the carrier, the schedule and the insurance.
- Choose CIF if you prefer one price up to your destination port, or you do not have a forwarder in place yet. You still handle import clearance and the delivery from the port.
Container, volume and timing
- A 20 ft container holds 14 to 15 MT of sugar on pallets, or up to 18 MT floor-loaded without pallets.
- Our minimum order is 5 MT.
- Lead time is two to three weeks from a confirmed order. Sea transit time depends on your destination port, and your forwarder can confirm it.
- Prices are in USD, and payment is by T/T or L/C. The exact terms are set out in your quotation.
Customs classification and duties
Your customs broker will classify the product and tell you the duty and taxes. Importers often look up palm sugar under HS code 1702.90 or nearby headings such as 1701, but the classification and the duty rate differ by country and by product. Ask your broker before you order, and share the product description and specification with them.
A checklist before you place the order
- The product is named clearly, with the palm species and a single-ingredient list.
- The specification states granulation, maximum moisture and shelf life.
- You have tested a sample and read the Certificate of Analysis.
- The quotation states the price, packing, shipping term, port and validity.
- Payment terms and delivery window are written into the contract.
- You know which documents your country requires, and your supplier has confirmed it can supply them.
- Your customs broker has confirmed the classification, duties and any labelling rules.
- Your freight forwarder or insurance is ready, depending on the term you chose.
Ordering from Baskoro Agri Trade
We supply granulated arenga palm sugar and coconut sugar from Indonesia, FOB Tanjung Priok or Belawan, and CIF on request. More answers on terms, documents and samples are in our FAQ, and our About page explains who we are. To start, request a free sample with the specification sheet and a Certificate of Analysis.