Buyer's guide
Common grades and specifications
- Refined glycerin USP/EP 99.5%+ (pharma and food)
- Technical-grade glycerin
- Crude glycerin (around 80%, from biodiesel or soap making)
- Source must be stated: vegetable (palm, soy, coconut, rapeseed) or synthetic. Animal-fat (tallow) glycerin is not accepted.
Typical packaging
Drums (often around 250 kg), IBCs, flexitanks or ISO tanks.
Typical minimum order
Commonly one flexitank or a container of drums/IBCs.
HS code (4-digit headings)
| Heading | Description |
|---|---|
| 1520 | Glycerol, crude; glycerol waters and lyes |
| 2905 | Acyclic alcohols and their derivatives (refined glycerol) |
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 per lot
- Source / origin-of-raw-material statement (vegetable or synthetic)
- SDS
- Kosher or RSPO certificate if specified
Sourcing notes
Plant, synthetic or mineral sources only. RFQs that do not state the source are rejected automatically.