How to send a commodity enquiry that gets a fast, accurate quote

The most common reason a quotation takes days instead of hours is an incomplete enquiry. A supplier cannot price what is not defined. Cover these points up front and you will usually get a usable offer on the first reply.

What to include

• Product and grade. Name the commodity and the exact specification or grade, for example “refined sunflower oil” rather than “edible oil”.
• Quantity. State the total volume and whether you need a single shipment or a program over several months.
• Packaging. Bulk, bags, drums, flexitanks, ISO tanks or containers all change price and logistics.
• Destination and delivery terms. Name the destination port and the Incoterm you want (FOB, CFR, CIF and so on).
• Payment terms. Say how you plan to pay so the supplier can confirm it is workable.
• Timeline and documents. Give the target shipment window and any certificates, inspection or testing you require.

Why it matters

A complete enquiry lets the sourcing team match you with suitable suppliers immediately, rather than going back and forth to clarify details. It also protects both sides: what is quoted is what is specified in the contract.

EN590 10ppm diesel: what the specification means

EN 590 is the European standard for automotive diesel fuel. When a buyer asks for “EN590 10ppm”, they are asking for diesel that meets that standard with a maximum sulphur content of 10 parts per million, often called ultra-low-sulphur diesel.

Key points of the standard

• Sulphur: maximum 10 mg/kg (10 ppm).
• Cetane number: minimum 51, which indicates ignition quality.
• Density: typically 820–845 kg/m³ at 15 °C.
• Cold properties: vary by season and climate class, so confirm which grade the destination needs.

What buyers should confirm

Because requirements differ by market and season, always confirm the exact specification sheet, the inspection method and the independent inspection agency before agreeing terms. Quantity, loading port, delivery window and documentation should all be written into the contract.

Reading ferrous scrap grades: HMS 1/2 80:20 vs 90:10

Heavy melting steel (HMS) is one of the most widely traded ferrous scrap grades. It is usually sold as a blend of two grades, HMS 1 and HMS 2, and the ratio tells you the mix.

The two grades

• HMS 1 is the heavier, thicker, cleaner material, generally at least about 6 mm (¼ inch) thick.
• HMS 2 is lighter-gauge material, generally at least about 3 mm (⅛ inch) thick.

What 80:20 and 90:10 mean

“HMS 1/2 (80:20)” means roughly 80% HMS 1 and 20% HMS 2. “HMS 1/2 (90:10)” is 90% HMS 1 and 10% HMS 2. The higher the HMS 1 share, the denser and more valuable the blend generally is, which is why 90:10 normally prices above 80:20.

Before you buy

Confirm the governing specification, such as ISRI or a mill-specific one, the maximum size of pieces, allowable contamination, and the pre-shipment inspection arrangements. Stainless scrap such as SS 304, 316 and 430 is graded by alloy content, so request analysis or a sampling plan.

Buying grains and pulses: the specifications that matter

Two shipments of “wheat” or “lentils” can differ widely in quality. Naming the right parameters in your enquiry keeps the cargo you receive aligned with the cargo you intended to buy.

Parameters to specify

• Moisture. Too high and the cargo can heat or spoil in transit.
• Foreign matter and admixture. The share of non-grain material and other grain types.
• Broken or damaged kernels. Especially important for rice, pulses and maize.
• Quality markers. For wheat this often includes protein content; for rice, grain length and milling degree.
• Origin, crop year and variety. These affect both price and availability.

Packing and documents

State whether you want bulk or bagged cargo, bag weight and material, and whether fumigation, a phytosanitary certificate, a certificate of origin or independent inspection are required for your market.

Edible and industrial oils: crude, refined and high-oleic explained

Our oils, fats and butters category covers everything from sunflower and palm oil to shea butter and paraffin. A few terms come up in nearly every enquiry.

Crude vs refined

Crude oil is extracted and filtered but not fully processed; it is used by refiners and industrial buyers. Refined oil has been further processed to remove impurities and is typically ready for food use or retail packing. Specify which one you need.

What “high oleic” means

High-oleic sunflower and safflower oils are made from varieties bred for a high share of oleic acid, commonly 75% or more. They are more stable under heat and have longer shelf life, which is why food manufacturers and frying operations prefer them.

Packaging and logistics

Oils ship in bulk tankers, ISO tanks, flexitanks in containers, or drums and IBCs. The choice affects cost, minimum volumes and handling at the destination, so include your preference in the enquiry.