Buyer's guide
Common grades and specifications
- Penetration grades (e.g. 40/50, 60/70, 80/100)
- Viscosity grades (e.g. VG-10, VG-30, VG-40)
- Performance grades (PG) and polymer-modified bitumen (PMB)
- Cutbacks and bitumen emulsions
- Oxidised (blown) bitumen
Typical packaging
Steel drums, bitutainers or ISO tanks (heated), jumbo bags (solid grades), or bulk bitumen tankers.
Typical minimum order
Commonly one container of drums; bulk parcels are larger.
HS code (4-digit headings)
| Heading | Description |
|---|---|
| 2713 | Petroleum bitumen, coke and residues |
| 2714 | Natural bitumen and asphalt |
| 2715 | Bituminous mixtures (cutbacks, emulsions) |
Guidance only. The exact 6- to 10-digit code depends on the product and the importing country's tariff. Confirm with your customs broker.
Incoterms tips
For containerised goods, FCA, CPT or CIP are usually a better fit than FOB/CIF, because the seller hands over at a terminal or warehouse rather than over the ship's rail. Use DAP or DDP only if the seller can really handle delivery (and, for DDP, import clearance) in your country.
Quality documents to request
- COA to the specified standard (e.g. EN 12591, ASTM, AASHTO)
- Independent inspection
- SDS
- Certificate of origin
Sourcing notes
No sourcing restriction.