COCOQUBEGuide
What to confirm before discussing export packing
Export packing begins with the product specification. For coir products and coco peat, the packing plan decides freight cost, damage risk and whether goods arrive in a condition you can sell. Confirm these before discussing price.
- Unit weight and tolerances, and pack count per carton
- Pallet preference and the container or LCL plan
- Labels, barcode ownership and destination language
- Material declarations, including binders, nets and cores
- Documents requested by the buyer or the destination process
Start with the unit and the carton
Write down the SKU and its specification revision, the net weight of each unit, the number of units per inner pack and per master carton, and the outer carton dimensions. Without these, a freight forwarder cannot calculate cube and weight, and two quotes cannot be compared.
Plan the pallet
Confirm the pallet size with your forwarder or warehouse before the packing plan is final, because common sizes include 1200 × 1000 mm and 1200 × 800 mm. Agree the maximum stack height, how cartons are arranged, and whether the load is wrapped, strapped or corner-protected. Compressed coco peat blocks are dense, so pallet weight can limit a load before volume does.
Keep coco peat dry
Moisture is the main enemy of compressed media in transit. Ask how blocks are wrapped, whether pallets are covered, and what happens if cartons are wetted. Photographs of the packed pallet before it leaves are a simple way to confirm what was loaded.
Labels and marks
Agree label content, language, barcode ownership and carton marks. Do not add claims such as organic, biodegradable or certified to a label unless you hold the evidence for the destination market. We declare composition so your claims are accurate.
Keep commercial and regulatory statements separate
A supplier can coordinate documents, but the importer should confirm classification and destination requirements with the relevant authority or an appointed broker. Avoid broad claims like “international standard” without naming the applicable standard and the product scope.
Documents to discuss
| Document | Note |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Prepared for every shipment |
| Bill of lading or air waybill | Issued by the carrier |
| Certificate of origin | Only when the buyer or the destination process requires it |
| Phytosanitary or treatment documents | Only where the destination requires them for the specific product |
| Test or inspection report | Where the buyer and supplier agree it, and for which batch |
Requirements differ by product and destination. The importer or broker confirms what applies.
Name the Incoterm and the place
We prefer FCA at a named handover point for early containerised or LCL offers, and we state Incoterms 2020. The named place matters as much as the term, so write both into the quotation.
Wooden pallets
Check whether ISPM 15 applies to solid-wood pallets and use authorised, marked material when it does. A pallet mark does not certify the product loaded on it.
Ask for an order-specific packing summary
It should identify the SKU revision, number of units, unit and gross weights, outer dimensions, pallet or floor-loading arrangement, marks, labels and the agreed evidence before dispatch.
Before you decide
Start with a paid sample and a pallet pilot rather than a container. See export from India, coco peat export and paid samples, then send the export enquiry.
Quick answers
Which Incoterm do you quote?
We prefer FCA at a named handover point for early offers, and we state Incoterms 2020 with the named place.
Do I need a phytosanitary certificate?
It depends on the destination and the specific product and use. The importer or broker confirms what applies, and we do not assume a document is required or exempt.
Can samples go by courier?
Yes, but samples may still need clearance documentation. Declare the correct nature and value, and never mark a commercial sample as a gift.
Have a defined requirement?